Celebrations Erupt as Municipality Hands Over 78 New Homes in Rosedale Erf 325

Braving the cold weather, Executive Mayor Jackie von Brandis, George Municipal Councillors, beneficiaries, community members, and officials, gathered to celebrate the new homeowners during the joyous housing handover at Erf 325.

Songs of praise and jubilation filled the air on Wednesday, 28 August 2024, as 78 families received the keys to their new homes during an official housing handover ceremony at the Erf 325 East Housing Development in Rosedale, Pacaltsdorp. Despite the cold weather, the event was marked by celebration, with Breaking New Ground (BNG) beneficiaries and community members gathering to support the new homeowners.

The Executive Mayor of George, Alderman Jackie von Brandis, led the handover of the houses to the 78 beneficiaries, joined by the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Human Settlements in the George Municipality, Jean Safers, and Ward 14 Councillor, Melvin Roelfse, who served as the programme director. The ceremony was also attended by MMCs from various portfolio committees, councillors, municipal officials, Ward Committee members, and home-based care workers.

Mayor von Brandis officially marked the handover by cutting the ribbon at one of the houses. Addressing the attendees, she expressed the urgency felt by citizens in receiving their homes. She thanked everyone involved in the construction and administration of the houses, saying, “Thank you for coming out in this cold weather to celebrate this beautiful day. My first conversation with Minister Tertuis Simmers (Western Cape Minister for Human Settlements) was about housing, especially the houses that were already completed. When I suggested we hand them over, the Minister agreed immediately, even if he couldn’t be here today. We thank the Minister for his great leadership and the Provincial Government for the funding that made this possible.”

She continued, “I also want to thank Councillor Safers, the MMC for Human Settlements in George, and the George Municipality’s Human Settlements department for their administration. I’m overjoyed for the beneficiaries that we could all celebrate the receipt of these houses; this is indeed a joyous occasion.”

The first house was handed over to 40-year-old Caroline Booysen, who is living with a disability. Booysen expressed her gratitude, saying, “I couldn’t contain my tears—they’ve been rolling down from excitement and joy. I’m very grateful for my new house.”

Among the beneficiaries were also elderly citizens. Eighty-year-old Nofundile Jaxa shared, “I’m ecstatic to receive a home. When I heard I would finally be receiving my house today, I couldn’t sleep last night, looking forward to this moment.” Another recipient, 73-year-old David Louw, was overjoyed, saying, “I’ve waited nearly 20 years for my house. Today, I almost want to shed tears of joy for receiving this home. I’m very happy.”

MMC for Human Settlements, Councillor Jean Safers, remarked, “This is another milestone that shows the Western Cape Government means business when it comes to service delivery. We urge new homeowners to take good care of their properties and keep them clean. We also don’t want to hear that these houses have turned into spaza shops.”

Officials from the George Municipality’s Human Settlements department conducted a consumer education programme to guide the new homeowners about the responsibilities of a homeowner and how to care for their properties. As they received their homes, 16 beneficiaries received their title deeds. The remaining 62 will be handed over as soon as it is received from the Attorneys. The 78 families who received their houses today came from various informal settlements in Pacaltsdorp, the waiting list under the selection criteria of 60 years and older, farm dwellers, persons with disabilities, and the general waiting list.

The Erf 325 East Pacaltsdorp Housing Project is a catalytic initiative funded by the Provincial Department of Infrastructure. This mixed-use development, which began in 2018, is part of the 1,091 Breaking New Ground (BNG) units, including double-storey, semi-detached, and freestanding units. It also comprises 147 Finance Linked Individual Subsidy Programme (FLISP) units, 32 units for persons with disabilities, and 30 units for military veterans. The project will also provide one general residential erf, four crèches, three churches, one community centre, and seven commercial/business erven.

View the handover ceremony highlights on the link: https://youtu.be/Tzr0kTBklik