Sixty-four-year-old Lynna Mkhize-Wester from Waterloo, Ward 58, was given a new lease on life when she was handed the keys to her brand-new house. This comes after her previous home burnt in a fire in 2018. The house was handed over by Chairperson of the Community and Emergency Services Committee Councillor Zama Sokhabase. An overjoyed Mkhize-Wester’s eyes brimmed with tears as she received the keys to her house which she shares with two of her children and three grandchildren. “We have waited for this moment since 2018 after our house caught fire.

Through the adversity, we never gave up hope and today, we wish to thank the Chairperson, Ward Councillor and the Municipality for ensuring we have a place to call home,” said Mkhize-Wester. Councillor Sokhabase thanked Mkhize-Wester’s neighbours for their generosity during the family’s time of need. “The repairs were long overdue. We wish to thank their close family, friends and neighbours who have housed the family during their difficulties,” she said.

Councillor Sokhabase said through Operation Sukuma Sakhe (OSS) programmes, they will continue to fast track ward-based service delivery initiatives through house handovers and infrastructural repairs. She made the commitment during her announcement of a joint housing and infrastructural programme that will be implemented throughout the City. “As part of OSS and working with the Human Settlements Unit and ward councillors, we will be implementing an infrastructural repair programme that will prioritise our people.” The handover comes after Councillor Sokhabase attended a ward-based presentation on Northern Region projects in Stoneridge, Phoenix.