On July 11, 2023, the HDA and the Eastern Cape Department of Human Settlements (ECDHS) jointly launched a human settlements project in Engcobo Ext 11, Dr. AB Xuma local municipality, after overcoming various challenges that impeded the project from commencing. The project is set to be completed by 2025 and will greatly improve the living conditions of 1,854 beneficiaries in the area by providing them with suitable housing. The project will also create job opportunities for many local villagers, thereby reducing unemployment rates and boosting the local economy.
The sod turning ceremony was attended by key figures such as Dr. AB Xuma Municipality’s Executive Mayor, Cllr. Siyabulela Zangqa; Chris Hani District Municipality’s Cllr. Lusanda Sizani; Gqutyini Tribal Authority’s Nkosi Jongisizwe; and the Human Settlements District Director of Chris Hani, Bongumusa Panda. They announced the project’s launch and highlighted the importance of collaboration between the HDA and the municipality to ensure timely and cost-effective completion of the project. This endeavor represents a significant step towards meeting housing needs and enhancing the overall living conditions of residents of Engcobo.
The HDA had been entrusted with implementing seven housing projects in the Chris Hani District on behalf of the Eastern Cape Department of Human Settlements. A thorough technical site assessment, conducted by the HDA in conjunction with the ECDHS, revealed that the project had previously faced delays due to land claimant issues. However, through collaborative efforts involving the provincial department of human settlements, the municipality, the HDA, and the affected communities, the land claimant issue was successfully resolved. The project will be carried out in two phases: Phase 1 will focus on engineering services, while Phase 2 will involve constructing the top structures of the housing units.
The HDA’s dedication to assisting municipalities and provinces in implementing previously blocked projects, while working in tandem with state organs and local communities, reaffirms the agency’s commitment to improving living conditions and addressing housing needs of the indigent South Africans.
