It was a dream come true for Nomfundiso Zele, 64, who has been bed-ridden, and 92-year-old Nonceba Mxenge, when they received their own homes in the City’s state-subsidised Breaking New Ground housing project in Delft on Wednesday 21 November 2018.

Ms Zele, who was on the housing database for 26 years, was very excited to move into her own home with her two daughters and four grandchildren.

The City’s Transport and Urban Development Authority arranged with the City’s Emergency Services Department to transport Ms Zele via ambulance from Blikkiesdorp to her new home.

‘When I was in Blikkiesdorp, I couldn’t do anything. I was bed-ridden and my bed has a hole in it. Now my life has changed so much. I feel like a new person now. I can try to wheel myself around my yard in my wheelchair,’ said Ms Zele.

Pensioner Ms Mxenge was overjoyed to move into her new home with her two grandchildren. She was on the housing database for 21 years and lived in Khayelitsha for 15 years before moving to Blikkiesdorp, where she has been living for the past six years.

‘I feel grateful that I have my own house now after such a long time,’ said Ms Mxenge.

The City’s Executive Mayor, Alderman Dan Plato, and Councillor Malusi Booi, Mayoral Committee Member for Area Central, congratulated the beneficiaries in their new homes.

‘On behalf of the City, I want to thank mama Zele and mama Mxenge for not giving up on their dream of owning their own home. Our most vulnerable residents deserve safe and comfortable housing and we will continue to do all we can to ensure that our housing delivery targets are met. Our first-time property owners will also receive their title deeds in due course which will further indicate their proof of ownership and provide them and their families with a sense of belonging,’ said Mayor Plato.