October 21, 2004
By Ndaba Dlamini
JOBURG is moving closer to achieving its goal of providing a habitable housing environment for its residents, thanks to the Letsema housing projects currently under way.
The first phase of the programme kicked off on 9 October with the construction of housing units in Ivory Park, says Tembela Mdlulwa, deputy director in the housing department.
"Our aim is to construct more than 1 000 houses in Doornkop, Orange Farm Extension 1, Diepsloot, Ivory Park and Lehae in the next three years under the Letsema programme. For each area, we plan to build about 250 houses."
Johannesburg's housing department has combined with the People's Housing Process, a programme where individuals are encouraged to help construct their own houses with financial assistance from the government.
Construction of houses in Ivory Park
The basis of Letsema is an old communal tradition where members of the community helped each other with tasks that were too difficult for one family, at no cost to the family being helped. "This is a demonstration of ubuntu, a show of humanity to other people," says Mdlulwa.
The intention of the initiative is to work with building teams to boost their morale - and that of the community in the process. "The department has plans to hold six Letsema housing events this year alone in the identified areas. By year end, we expect to have built 10 houses or double this number in each of the concerned areas."
On each day of each event, volunteers and work teams will gather on site in the morning for a brief meeting where labour will be divided, and house building rules and safety rules enumerated.
The Letsema programme is being implemented in housing projects where construction has taken place up to floor level, according to Mdlulwa. "With the help of the community who provide skilled brick layers during each event, we build houses up to roof level. As a department, we help in mixing mortar and providing other manual labour since the department doesn't have the necessary skilled people."
Johannesburg's health and safety unit is developing and overseeing the safety plan for the programme while the People's Housing Process service providers manage construction processes and quality on site.
"The programme is part of a departmental score card to improve service delivery in the city. Since the department has no budget for this programme, we requested donations from outside, donations from individuals and institutions in the form of skills, time and in kind. We do not benefit in any way from these donations - we are merely facilitators. The beneficiaries are residents," explains Mdlulwa.
Mdlulwa says items sought from donors - mostly companies currently benefiting from City contracts - include building tools, protective clothing, catering and refreshments.
The department is working closely with ward councillors in the concerned areas in identifying people whose houses are going to be built. Only households with title deeds within a subsidised project will benefit from this initiative "to ensure that the programme avoids construction of houses on stands with possible ownership disputes".
A housing committee established to oversee the implementation of the programme resolved on 14 August that the ward councillors in each area should be informed before any Letsema projects were implemented.
The next Letsema project is scheduled for Diepsloot on 22 November. "We expect to construct four houses in Diepsloot. As we go on, we will find ways to go about improving this service to the community and at the same time build more houses," Mdlulwa says.
To make a donation or to get more information about the Letsema programme contact the Johannesburg housing department on 011 407 7001.
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