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1Bua Moagi March 2016

Department of Local Government and Human Settlements

4th edition - march 2016

Department to align performance with the objectives of the Provincial Government



contents PaGecover story

Department to align performance with the objectives of the provincial government8

noticetender scam9



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newsDepartment intensifies housing and bulk infrastructure implementaion10Tswaing municipality gets financial assistance11Department confident on the envisaged Human settlements act16



eDitoriaL coMMentIt gives me a great delight and privilege to present to you the fourth edition

of Bua Moagi after pulling down the curtain on 2015/16 financial year with contentment, knowing that the department has delivered on its core

mandate of delivering and sustainable integrated human settlements, as well as bettering provision of basic services to our communities through cooperation with municipalities.

This edition comes at time when Department had welcomed the appointment of its new Administrative Head Mr. P. E Motoko with effect from the first of April 2016. The Head of Department comes with wealth of experience from the Legislative Sector (The North West Provincial Legislature) and Municipal Administration as a former Municipal Manager of Ratlou local municipality. The Department stand to benefit in responding to its core mandate of accelerating housing development and strengthening good governance in our municipalities in Bokone Bophirima Province.

This edition will reflect on achievements made by the Department in the last quarter of the 2015/16 financial year. It is important to note that we have made strides in expediting the process of amalgamation of Tlokwe and Ventersdorp municipalities as we seek to create a single financially viable and sustainable municipality. The department has also made several interventions in municipalities including appointment of new administrator in Tswaing Local Municipality to strengthen good governance. Together with Rustenburg local municipalities and other important stakeholders have, in the spirit of Saamtrek-Saamwerk, made efforts to stabilise the

situation in the Marikana housing projects following the illegal occupation of Breaking New Ground units. Efforts to have the rightful owners occupying the houses are continuing. The Department is also maximising its participation in the Setsokotsane implementation programme to provide much services to our people.

Bua Moagi continues to be a relevant platform that the Department shares it’s achievements made, as well challenges encountered and plans to overcome such challenges as we seek to Rebrand, Reposition and Renew our province. We hope this will be a worthy read like previous editions.

I thank you.

Mr. Ben BoleDirector : Media & Communication

Mavis Moseje

THe T

eam Boitumelo Mosadi Dineo Thapelo Sethugi Sekoboane

Juliet Montsho Thebeetsile Keameditse Chris Motshabi Tebogo Serai

Thato Lesetedi Lerato Modise Michael Morapisi Sello Silo William Motopela



We remain humble and privilege with the support we received throughout the financial year 2015/16 from our

communities and strategic stakeholders in pursuit of providing integrated services across the Province of Bokone Bophirima through the SETSOKOTSANE programme as one of our five concretes.

Since assuming this office as the Acting Executing Authority responsible for Local Government and Human Settlements; we had to ensure that, the five concretes i.e. RECONCILATION, HEALING AND RENEWAL (RHR); SAAMTREK-SAAMWERK; SETSOKOTSANE; AGRICULTURE, CULTURE AND TOURISM (ACT); VILLAGES, TOWNSHIP AND SMALL DORPIES (VTSD) as announced by Honourable Premier Supra Obakeng Ramoeletsi Mahumapelo at the beginning of fifth administration finds an expression in the Annual Performance Plan 2016/17 of the Department as policy thrust. These concretes will remain our guiding pillars through the fifth term of Parliament.

We recognize the fact that, Local Government Sphere remains fragile environment to work in on the basis that, it remains at the cutting-edge of service delivery. Hence communities remain our partners in project implementation. This partnership remains critical to the provision of the basket of services which include water, electricity, waste and refuse collection, street lighting, recreational facilities, stands on which to build houses, rezoning of land for business purposes, and town planning for integrated developments. We don’t implement any project without community involvement, always our communities remains at the centre of their own development.

We are pleased to recognize and welcome the gradual performance improvements of municipalities which were dysfunctional. We continue to see improvement on audit outcomes which are attributed to strong political oversight and monitoring by councils and support by Provincial Government through the implementation of the Back to Basics programme by Promoting Public Participation, Governance and Service Delivery.

Our Integrated Human Settlements development projects continue to change lives of our people in the Bokone Bophirima Province. To this end, we are satisfied that, we continue to build quality houses for our people as part of restoring their dignity. Poor quality houses is something of the past. We are moving to a level where humanity is embraced in all the planning process of Human Settlements project implementation. Therefore, it is through this platform of Bua Moagi you stay informed with our programmes.

I thank you.

Hon. Fenny GaolaolweActing MEC for Local Government and Human Settlements

Mec’s overview



HOD’s aDMinistrative view

From the administrative point of view, we concluded the 2015/16 financial year on a high note knowing Back to Basics programme is in a

full swing in different municipalities in the province to ensure provision of basic services to our people.

Several municipalities in the province have started to implement their revenue enhancement plans and servicing their debt. Our Department in collaboration with Finance, Economy and Enterprise Development (FEED) took a decision to assist municipalities in the Province to develop and implement their own revenue enhancement strategies within the context of Villages, Township and Small Dorpies (VTSD).

To this end, municipalities have been engaged on one on one basis to identify revenue enhancement opportunities with an objective of developing an integrated revenue enhancement strategies. The project team has developed revenue enhancement strategy frameworks that forge integration of the efforts of all the departments within a municipality into a common guiding document.

Furthermore, as part of strengthening oversight to mitigate the growing problem of non compliance; the department successfully conducted a Provincial and District wide Municipal Public Accounts Committees (MPAC) forums to support and capacitate MPACs to perform their functions in all four districts. The intention of this exercise is to make sure that Mayoral Committees are held accountable with to their executive action in pursuit of operation clean audit opinion.

The implementation of Integrated Human Settlements in the form of different typologies has reached the peak and the same is envisaged in the 2016/17 financial year. Further thereto, as part of mitigating the rate of urbanization, the Department is also looking at drafting a provincial legislation to formulate a legislation that will assist in dealing with illegal occupation of land which leads to the creation of informal settlements.

We are looking forward in working together with communities and other stakeholders to implement yet another commitment that are to be made public during the Budget Vote that is to be presented by the Executing Authority in due course. In the spirit of Saamtrek – Saamwerk lets Rebrand, Reposition and Renew the Peoples Province of Bokone Bophirima.

I thank you.

Mr. Phihadu Ephraim MotokoHead of Department

Minister for Human Settlements Lindiwe Sisulu addressing Marikana community during the housing project handover



The Minister of Human Settlements, LindiweSisulu and Provincial MECs of Human Settlements recently met with more than

500 contractors and developers to discuss how to immediately resolve and pay all due and payable invoices that are outstanding for more than 30 days as required by law and a Cabinet decision.

Minister Sisulu convened the urgent meeting following a national analysis of all unpaid projects and invoices as reflected in the payment systems which found that more than R1 billion has not been paid to contractors, by the Provinces in respect of invoices submitted by contractors for payment.

“As Government we cannot sit with millions worth of work done by mainly black small contractors in the housing sector and not paid for. I want those undisputed invoices to be settled within as soon as possible by Provinces

and Municipalities”, said Sisulu.Minister Sisulu told Human Settlements Consultative Conference that she will be meeting the Minister of Finance, Mr. Pravin Gordhan to request relevant measures in order to ensure that the National Department is able to facilitate payment of backlogs, due and payable to contractors within seven days.

Minister sisULU caLLs on MUniciPaLities anD Provinces to PaY UNDIsPUTeD HOUsING INVOICes as sOON THeY aRe sUBmITTeD OR FaCe WITHHOLDING OF FUNDs



The Acting Head of the Department Dikeledi Pamela Mothobi urged senior managers in the Department to align the performance

and activities of the department with the strategic objectives of the fifth administration as led by Premier Supra Obakeng Ramoeletsi Mahumapelo. Mothobi said this during the two-day Strategic Planning Lekgotla held recently at Stonehenge in Africa Lodge near Parys, to craft the Annual Performance Plan for 2016/17 financial year.

The platform gave the Acting Head of Department Dikeledi Pamela Mothobi an opportunity to interact with the senior management of the department for the first time, following her appointment to the department.

Mothobi made a firm emphasises to managers in the department that they must ensure the implementation of the five concretes of the provincial government.Reconciliation, Healing and Renewal programme,

Saamtrek-Saamwerk philosophy, Setsokotsane service delivery vehicle, ACT – (Agriculture, Culture and Tourism) as well as Village, Townships and Small Dorpies – VTSD approach are five concretes of the provincial government

“These are the five concretes of the fifth administrations as led by Premier Supra Mahumapelo and they need to find expression in our programmes. So as we are drafting our Annual Performance Plan target that you will be measured against these concretes needs to be our guiding tools’’ charged Mothobi.

Department to align performance with the objectives of the provincial government

Acting HOD Dikeledi Mothobi addressing senior managers in the department.

from left: Chief Financial Officer Mandla Magwetyana and Director for Supply Chain Management Jose Scholtz.



The Department of Local Government and Human Settlements in Bokone Bophirima is calling out to all service providers not to be lured into believing that, for them to do business with the department, they are monies to be paid to upfront.

The Department is inundated with calls from service providers because they have been offered tenders by people claiming to be working for the department.

In some instances, these fraudsters use fictitious letters of appointments and contracts supposedly from the Department with a forged signature of the Head of Department.

The department wants to set the record straight once more, that no service provider is expected to pay any fee to be awarded a housing tender. All tenders are advertised within the context of treasury regulations. Services providers and the public, are all warned to remain vigilant to the tender scams by fictitious officials and advised to report such matters to the nearest police station.

Public Notice - Tender scam

Dapartment of Local Government & Human Settlements againstFRAUD AND CORRUPTION BLOW THE WHISTLE

Acting MEC Fenny Gaolaolwe



The Department of Local Government and Human Settlements has demonstrated its commitment to finding housing planning and development

solutions to provide integrated human settlements to communities. This follows the robust two-day Housing Planning Indaba which was held in an effort to unblock impediments and lay housing plans to speedup provision of housing and other much needed infrastructure in the province for 2016-17 financial year. The session which was held in Haartebeespoort was also attended by National Department of Human Settlements, Housing Development Agency (HDA) and Social Housing Regulator Authority (SHRA) and other relevant stakeholders.

The Acting Head of Department Dikeledi Mothobi appealed for realistic integrated multi sector planning within the pronounced low budget. “There has been a financial restructuring and budget reduction at national and provincial level and therefore the 2016/17 business plan must be revisited as target may be reduced. Interaction with key stakeholders during planning and prior to implementation of the project will assist in ensuring maximum results” remarked Mothobi.

The gathering emphasised that Housing Planning Needs must respond to targets in the distressed mining

towns, informal settlements development, military veterans housing provision and social housing delivery as per national commitments and requirements.

Some challenges identified in planning, implementation and monitoring phase amongst others included: insufficient feasibility analysis, unavailability of land especially in the mining areas, delays in land transfers, tribal or remote rural areas challenges as well as floods and dolomite areas.

The Department is also to rollout other important bulk services infrastructure through Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) and Provincial Infrastructure Grant (PIG). R114 million will be channelled to different municipalities across the province to develop water and sanitation infrastructure.

Key resolution of the indaba amongst others included that the departments needs to consider inviting the planning commission to inform planning processes; needs to revisit targets within the shrinking fiscal; need to ensure that all projects are correctly captured in the Housing Subsidy System - the need to strive towards adherence to national subsidy quantum and the need to rethink the cost per unit;

Department intensifies housing and bulk infrastructure implementation

Acting Head of Department Dikeledi Mothobi addressing the Housing Planning Indaba

Managers of the Department, Housing Development Agency and Social Housing Regulator Authority



The Department of Local Government and Human Settlements participated in the Impala Platinum Mine open day activities to inform and promote

to the mine workers and the mining public in general the Finance Linked Individual Subsidy Programme – FLISP at Platinum Village establishment recently.

During the Open Day, The platinum mining giant - Impala was showcasing its Second Phase of the Platinum Village settlement, which once completed will yield over 2000 housing units. The two to four bedroom housing units which range from R300 000.00 to R610 000.00, can also be bought by anyone.

The introduction of FLISP, to mine workers also broaden the opportunities of mine workers to get financial assistance in acquiring decent housing.

FLISP was developed by the Department of Human Settlements to enable sustainable and affordable first time home ownership opportunities to South African citizens and legal permanent residents earning

between R3 501.00 and R15 000.00 gross salary per month.

Individuals in these salary bands generally find it hard to qualify for housing finance, their income is regarded as low mortgage finance, but too high to qualify for the government “free basic house” subsidy scheme. The once-off subsidy amount ranges between R10 000.00 and R87 000.00 which will also decrease the mortgage loan amount. Applicants must also meet the following qualifying criteria: -Must have an approved in principle of home loan from an accredited South Africa financial institution. -Be a first time home buyer, earning between R3 501 and R15 000 per month. -Never have benefitted from Government Housing Subsidy Scheme before. Must be South African citizen with a valid ID; or a permanent residents with a valid permit. -Be over 18 years and competent to legally contract.

FLIsP sold to mine Impala mine workers

Mr Lesley Moremedi : Consumer Education - selling FLISP to mine workers

New houses in Phase 2 of Platinum Village Settlements

Mine workers during the Open Day Presentation



The Department of Local Government and Human Settlements in Bokone Bophirima has stepped in to rescue the financially distressed Tswaing local municipality by bringing in a team of finance officials from national and provincial government. Another two officials have been deployed to the municipality

to immediately assume the positions of the Administrator and Chief Financial Officer, respectively.

The team will also ensure that the municipality is able to stick to key deadline such as submission of adjustment budget for 2015/2016, draft the budget for 2016/2017, submit Eskom tariffs to NERSA for approval.

Acting MEC for Local Government and Human Settlements, Fenny Gaolaolwe said that her visit to the municipality was to assess whether the provincial government’s Section 139(1)(b) of the Constitution which was invoked last year, was yielding any positive results. “The mandate of the then Administrator at the time of the intervention was to ensure that there is service delivery especially on issues of water and sanitation, stabilise and improve administration, improve the financial controls as well as investigate and take action against transgression to any applicable legislations or regulations. However, the mandate was covered entirely hence we are re-assessing the situation”, she said.

Tswaing municipality gets financial assistance

Administrator for Tswaing Local Municipality - Mr Lucky Fourie



Department of Local Government and Human Settlements in conjunction with FEED and SALGA held a two-day Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) workshop recently at the chambers of Rustenburg Local Municipality to support all 23 municipalities with the preparation of oversight reports that are inclusive of Unauthorized, Irregular, Fruitless and wasteful Expenditure (UIF&W) recommendation to council. MPAC chairpersons and their support staff members from municipalities across the province were in attendance.

Presentations were made about all that MPACs are required to consider when doing oversight on UIF&Ws. All municipalities were requested to bring their municipal annual register for unauthorized, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure for 14/15 financial year. A process flow chart from circular 68, 76 and

MFMA was used to explain the oversight process that MPACs are required by legislation to follow when conducting oversight of the UIF&W registers.

The workshop resolved that all the relevant prescripts on UIF&W will be used to assess the final product to check compliance with Section 32 and Chapter 15 of MFMA.

All municipalities who attended the workshop agreed that by end of March 2016 their committees shall have met and looked at their respective registers and that municipalities which will not table the oversight report end march, will have until month end June to do so. This is to ensure that the next coming newly elected committee find everything up to date.

mPaC’s tackle Unauthorized, Irregular, Fruitless and wasteful expenditure

Members of MPAC’s from different municipalities in the province

Chairperson of Standing Committee of Public Accounts Hon Mahlakeng Mahlakeng making opening remarks of the workshop.



Housing Corporation to regularise tenants

It’s all systems go for the regularisation process of the North West Housing Corporation assets. This follows the resuscitation process of the

corporation by the Department of Local Government and Human Settlements as directed by the Provincial Executive Council which appointed board to oversee the smooth running of the corporation.

The Acting CEO of the Corporation Motlhaletsimang Makuapane said “the reversal of the winding down of the corporation follows the pronouncement by the Bokone Bophirima Premier Supra Mahumapelo that the corporation has a big role to play in the provision of housing in the province, specifically to those whose housing needs are not met by the existing facilities”.

In ensuring that there is a proper management of the North West Housing Corporation’s existing assets, the key mandate of the board and the management is to compile credible and validated rental and sales stock register of the corporation through the regularization process which has already started with the assistance

of a service provider.

“With the intended regularization process of all assets, we want to determine and update legitimate debtors and tenants registers respectively with the view to have a contractual relationship and to collect all the revenue due to the NWHC” said Makuapane.The expected outputs of the regularization process are: • Legitimate occupants of the NWHC rental Stock • Valid lease and purchase agreements/contracts signed by both the tenant and the NWHC and filed • Updated asset register • Complete and updated rental accounts in the system of the Corporation

The Regularisation process will be done in the following Municipalities; Mahikeng, Ditsobotla, Rustenburg , City of Tshwane , Greater Taung, Phokwane, Tswaing, Ramotshere Moilwa, Madibeng, Mangaung and Ga-Segonyana, where Housing Corporation has properties.

Acting CEO of North West Housing Corporation - Mr Motlhaletsimang Makuapane



The Local Government Communicators Forum – LGCF has once again encouraged communicators in municipalities to heighten the usage of

social media networks such as facebook and twitter, and improve municipal websites to contribute to the enhancement of the image of municipalities in the province and promote interaction with communities. This came out at the last session of the LGCF for the financial year 2015/16 held at Rustenburg.

The Chairperson of the LGCF and the Director responsible for Media and Communication in the Department of Local Government and Human Settlements Ben Bole said young people who constitute majority of the Bokone Bophirima population, are active users of these platforms and as municipal communicators this is the space they need to occupy to communicate good government stories.

Ben Bole said:”In the current day and age, government needs to be more open and transparent about its working and these social networking sites can help in evolving a more participatory government”.

Bole continued that as institution that ignores usage of social media networks and the power that is poses, they are not taking communication serious. “Social media has taken centre stage and most of the organisations depend on them to communicate, engage and serve

communities. Social media can mobilize social campaigns, enable communications and discussions on public or departmental forum, spread awareness, provide instant news and information. In so doing they are making our lives easy as communicators”. Few municipalities in the province are still not active users of these important medium and the forum resolved to support all municipalities to heighten their participation in that space.

Bokone Bophirima municipalities to heighten usage of social media

from left: Kagiso Merementsi of GCIS; DLG&HS Spokesperson Ben Bole, SABC TV News Editor David Dlamini and communicators from municipalities across the province.

Director Communications Ben Bole addressing communicators from different municipalities.



The Youth Contractor of the Year Thokozane Littler continues to do wonders by raising the bar and setting the housing delivery agenda for

other Youth Housing Developers in the province.

Thokozane Littler of Madimong Trading was crowned the Youth Contractor of the Year at the National Govan Mbeki awards held at Cape Town late last year. Madimong Trading was awarded a tender to deliver 187 Breaking New Ground units a year ago as part of the Youth Empowerment Project. Despite challenges of

delays in locating beneficiaries Littler is at verge of completing the project.

Out of the 187 Housing Units Littler has delivered 173 and he is left with only 14 units which are to be completed in due course.

Madimong Trading will also form part of the 1976 Youth Empowerment project where youth contractors in the province will built 1976 housing units this financial year.

shining youth empowerment journey

Deputy Minister Zou Kota-Fredericks and officials from the North West Department of Local Government and Human Settlements celebrating with the Youth Contractor Award of the Year Thokozani Littler during the National Govan Mbeki Awards.

Deputy Minister of Human Settlemetns Zou Kota-Fredericks and Thokozani Littler laying brinks during the launch of Youth Build Projects



The Department of Local Government and Human Settlements is optimistic that the White Paper on Human Settlements will

unblock the shortcomings which hinder improved provision of integrated human settlements in the province. This came out at the recently held two-day policy consultative workshop which will ultimately contribute towards the establishment of the Human Settlements Act.

The Department, like other Human Settlements Departments in other provinces, is making proposals to the national Department of Human Settlements for the development of policy and legislation on human settlements. The objectives of the provincial workshop is to reach consensus on the human settlements policy and legislative proposals.

In attendance were the National Department of Human Settlements, sector departments and local municipalities. Other targeted structures for consultation include government agencies, non-governmental organisations, private sector, academia, civil society and professional bodies.

When opening the workshop Chief Financial Officer of the Department Mandla Magwetyana said “Twenty-one years into the development and implementation of

housing and human settlements reforms, the legislative framework, policies and programmes require new thinking and strategies that respond to the latest and emerging challenges while addressing future needs”.

Various investigations, research, reviews and evaluations on human settlements policy and programmes indentified numerous shortcomings related gaps in policy and divergence in the programmes implementation.

The following are among the challenges identified; high cost of well-located land for human settlements development; inability to adequately respond to the diverse needs of low-middle income household, escalating cost of development for government; poor quality of construction; lack of community and lack of civil society involvement, amongst others.

Towards the drafting of the Act, the following issues should given necessary attention: dolomitic areas, remote rural areas, alignment of sector department priorities, economic sustainability in the mining areas, learn lessons from other countries, bulk infrastructure, define clear roles of municipalities. It is envisaged that the Act on Human Settlements will come to effect next year 2017.

Department confident on the envisaged Human settlements act

Acting Chief Director Housing Needs, Research, Planning and Techinical Services - Vusi Bidi addressing delegates during the workshop



The amalgamation process of Tlokwe and Ventersdorp local municipalities are at an advanced stage. The Technical Change

Management Committee (TCMC) was established which gave rise to different specific work streams to drive the process.

The Political Change Management Committee (PCMC) which comprises of the MEC responsible for Local Government and Human Settlements, the Mayor of Dr. Kenneth Kaunda District and two Mayors of the affected local municipalities have the overall responsibility in ensuring the smooth administrative transition process.

To date, lot of administrative work have been done to the effect that draft organizational structure has been

finalized to be presented before PCMC for further input and ratification.

Post local government election 2016 the country will have fewer municipalities. The amalgamation involves the council of more than one municipality coming together to form a new municipality. In this case Tlokwe and Ventersdorp will be merged to create and new municipality. Before the end of the previous municipal term Kagisano and Molopo Local municipalities were merged to form one municipality which today is known as Kagisano-Molopo local municipality.

The department commits to build one people of Bokone Bophirima working together in the spirit of Saamtrek-Saamwerk in an effort to Rebrand, Reposition and Renew the province.

Tlokwe and Ventersdorp soon to form a new local municipality

Youth contractor Thokozane Littler landing a helping hand to Deputy Minister Zoe Kota-Fredericks during the brick laying ceremony.

Delegates from municipalities acress the Province in the workshop



The Department of Local Government and Human Settlements in Bokone Bophirima through its Provincial Disaster Management Centre and

other stakeholders held a workshop on how to raise community awareness on earthquake and sinkholes in the province recently at Klerksdorp Disaster Centre.

The awareness campaign which aims to ensure that members of the community are capacitated through the disaster management centres in different municipalities on the effects that these disasters have on them and the environment. The workshop was also aimed at reducing the number of causalities that might happen during a disaster.

As these disasters affect infrastructure such as housing and transport routes it is very important that

community members understand the implications these disasters might have on them when they do happen.

“Since well these disasters affect community members, it is imperative that a culture of risk avoidance is instilled in our people. It is important that community members learn not to leave pipes leaking and report them to municipalities. Community members must know and understand safety drills that could save their lives”, explained Eldridge Kgaswane from the Council of Geoscience. He further explained that the aim of these workshops is to create safer and more resilient municipalities that can handle disasters when they do happen.

earthquake and dolomitic sinkhole workshop held to raise awareness



setsokotsane through the lens



The Department of Local Government and Human Settlements in Bokone Bophirima led Acting MEC Fenny Gaolaolwe continues to push

boundaries in its quest to provide residents in the province with integrated human settlements despite enormous challenges that developers go through during the construction phase.

The department is currently undertaking different housing projects to accelerate housing provision in remote rural areas. One of the contractors Tawana Business Projects was awarded a housing project in May 2014 to deliver 135 emergency houses worth R25 million, in the Kagisano-Molopo local municipality which is 100% rural.

On a daily basis the developer must rise and overcome challenges as they strive to fulfil their contractual obligation of providing decent shelter and reduce housing backlog in impoverished rural communities.

The project was awarded on an emergency basis for a period of six months however the encountered challenges, pushed for the extension of the contract. The allocation per village is too little and it takes several kilometres to travel from one village to the other. The roads are unbearable and they are bumpy

and sandy. During rainy season vehicles especially delivery trucks are unable to move about. The housing beneficiaries are located in over ten villages which include: Kgokgole, Newham, Pembrook, Ericka, Oforo, Esdale, Ethol, Rusten, Bullrand, Veergenog, Pouval, Vragas and Itereleng villages. These villages are scattered, with unbearable sandy road conditions which are a mission especially during rainy season. Water scarcity in the area has also proven to be a major challenge. Kagisano-Molopo Municipality is a water scarce area which has been hit by a heavy draught. Contractors travel distances to get water and in some instances they get water from the rivers, which can accessed through usage of small donkey carts.

In other areas residents complain that contractors load a lot of water which are supposed to be consumed by livestock. Contractors were compelled by buy water @ R1 per litre / R2000.00 to fill 1000 litre tank. In some villages they buy diesel for water pumps to draw water.

A housing beneficiary is also assisting contractors to deal with the water situation. 53 year old Sebokolodi Boutlwanye who survives by getting odd jobs say the only way for him to get his house faster is to get

Bokone Bophirima Overcomes Challenges In Their Housing Provision Journey

Goarabamang Mochwe (right) together with her sister (left) and two nephews are beneficiaries of a BNG built in the Kagisano-Molopo Emergency Housing project which is spearheaded by project manager Lucas Mametja(middle)



involved. “We use donkey carts to fetch water at the river. Vehicles can’t move in some areas or else they will stuck in the sand. It’s my house hence I decided that if I’m not working I must just as well assist” remarked Boutlwanye.

Unbearable roads also pose a huge challenge to contractors. Supplier’s delivery trucks don’t deliver bricks and paint in some areas as bricks get damaged and paint spills over. The premixed mortar can’t be delivered inside the villages as the ground surface is very loose and trucks stuck. Trucks end up dropping breaks in far areas which must be collected and delivered.

With all the challenges encountered managing directors in the project and are of the view this is the most difficult and expensive project to embark on given the location and the conditions in the area they working under. Despite all this, the Department in partnership with these contractors continue to break new grounds all the time and ensure provision of houses

The 135 housing project is to be completed and handed over before Christmas holidays however already there are about 50 families that have since occupied their completed houses.

85 year old Goarabamang Mochwe who stays with her younger sister and two nephews in a hut, is one of the beneficiaries who can’t wait to occupy the houses. Mochwe says she is looking forward to having a better Christmas this year. “I’ve been staying in a hut made out of sticks and mud for a very long time. Whenever it rains heavily we know that we will have to rebuild the hut again because the mud walls will be washed away again. There is no peace in this structure. We are very proud and happy that of our government came to our rescue” said Mochwe

Regardless of all these enormous challenges the contractors are not deterred from ensuring implementation of the social responsibility. Tawana trained young women in the area to become professional painters. The entire project has hired over 162 people in different areas who are going to contribute to the delivery of 135 houses different villages.

In beginning of 2016 the project is to continue in other areas of Kagisano-Molopo municipality to build the other 110 houses in areas such Morokweng; Tseoge; Matlhabatlhabe; Garapipa and Tseng. The project will be confronted with similar hardships as similar conditions prevail.

A new BNG house for a family in Kgokgojane which was staying in a dilapidated mud house.

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