Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements, Tasneem Motara, recently conducted repeat site visits to the six Inner City Hostels in Johannesburg.
Her visits are part of ensuring that there is progress on the hostel revitalization project aimed at uplifting lives of hostel communities. She assessed progress on the George Goch, Murray & Roberts, MBA, Denver, LTA, and Jeppe hostels where the Department has invested over R500 million for major infrastructure repairs and refurbishments.
MEC Motara added that that there is a new hostel under construction, called Rethabile: “we have about 18 months to go. The progress is steady, I am confident that the contractor will finish within the stipulated time,” she said.
The MEC further appealed to the residents to cooperate with the team so that there can be restoration and the work be completed in good time.
Some residents said they appreciate the MEC’s visits which show commitment to upgrading the hostels and their lives as residents, even though it seems to be taking a long time.
Some of the upgrades include painting, restoring floors and walls, glazing external walls, and installing paving, as well as bathrooms, plumbing, and sewerage systems.
The MEC’s visits form part of the Siyeza Nakuwe service delivery campaign, which seeks to bring government services closer to communities and assess the on-the-ground implementation of key housing projects, including hostels.
Siyeza Nakuwe — meaning “we will get to you too” — is a commitment by the Department to address existing challenges and ensure that all deserving beneficiaries are reached.
The MEC was joined by the Acting HoD and DDG for Human Settlements Implementation Phumzile Maseko-Seipobi, project managers and contractors.
