House Handover for 94 Year Old Granny
A 94-year old grandmother who had been living under the bridge could not believe her luck when she was given a house at Cornubia yesterday.
By: Sandile Lukhozi
Lizzy Ntombikayise Mbhele (94) had been living under the bridge at SEDA near a bus shelter at KwaMashu with his husband Mzokhona Cornelius Ndlovu (53) for over 20 years.
She was one of 19 people who received a house during the handover. She said while living under the bridge she dreamt of owning her own house one day.
“I’m very proud to be the recipient of this house today. Finally, I will now have a place which I can safely call home just like most South Africans,” Mbhele said.
Mzokhona Cornelius Ndlovu (53) who had been living with Mbhele said despite being questioned for living with an older person he remains committed to his wife.
“This woman is my life. She is the mother of Nombuso and Sunnyboy who both passed away. I agree she is old but we have been able to live together peaceful in good and in bad times,” Ndlovu said.
According to eThekwini Mayor James Nxumalo, the next 15 years will see the construction of 20 000 houses in Cornubia alone.
“We would like to congratulate those who have received 19 houses today. We have built 2156 houses in Cornubia as part of our plans for ensuring that even South African has proper shelter. In a few years from now this area would be a typical township similar to Umlaza and KwaMashu,” Nxumalo said.
He asked the recipients to not sell the houses and threatened those who sell government houses to remove them with immediate effect.
“These are your houses that you have been given for free and we don’t expect business deals over these houses. We condemn the selling of government houses for R5000 and R10 000 or perhaps rental,” Nxumalo added.
The Cornubia RDP construction site has been identified by the eThekwini municipality as one that would create employment opportunities for local residents. During the handover, it was revealed that by 2030 there would be half a million people living in the area.