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ELIAS MOTSOALEDI LOCAL MUNICIPALITY
New furnished homes for families in need
In a powerful demonstration of community support and social upliftment, the Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality has provided two impoverished families with newly constructed, fully furnished homes. The handover, spearheaded by MEC Basikopo Makamu, who oversees the Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements, and Traditional Affairs (CoGHSTA), highlights the municipality’s ongoing commitment to addressing housing inequality.
The Moepye family from Kgobokwane (Ward 03) and the Makgata family from Waalkraal (Ward 04) had been living in dilapidated shelters, a stark reality faced by many in rural areas. These families were identified during an ANC door-to-door campaign ahead of the 2024 national and provincial elections, prompting immediate intervention by local government.
MEC Makamu, together with Cllr David Tladi, Mayor of Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality, officially handed over the homes to the grateful recipients. Speaking at the event, MEC Makamu emphasised the importance of grassroots community work, noting, “Through community work, activism, and volunteerism, we were able to identify these two families as needing immediate intervention. Today, we are pleased to hand over fully furnished homes that provide not just shelter, but peace of mind.”
For Mme Hilda Moepya, a mother of three who lives with a disability, the new home represents more than just four walls. Her previous residence, a leaking two-bedroom house, was no longer suitable for her family. Receiving the keys to her new home, she expressed her gratitude: “It’s more than a dream come true for me. Thanks for giving us shelter and restoring our dignity as human beings.”
Mayor Tladi echoed these sentiments, acknowledging the broader societal impact of improving the lives of women. “Poverty, unemployment, and inequality disproportionately affect women. By providing these homes, we are restoring dignity to Mme Anikie Makgata and Mme Hilda Moepya. Enhancing the lives of women benefits families, communities, and society as a whole,” Tladi said.
In addition to the homes, Mme Moepya was also gifted an electronic wheelchair to help her move around
her new residence, while both families received blankets for added comfort. The handover event was attended by local officials, community leaders, and stakeholders, further demonstrating the municipality’s united approach to community development.
This initiative reflects the Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality’s dedication to addressing poverty and inequality, particularly within vulnerable communities, setting an example for other municipalities to follow.
“We are restoring dignity by handing over the keys because we know that enhancing women's lives benefits families, communities, and our society as a whole.”
