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News - Date: 20 February 2009
What seemed like just a dream has finally come true to hundreds of Musina residents who have never owned their own houses for many years. Ululations, joy and dancing were the order of the day as more than 600 residents recently moved into their new houses at Musina Extension 9 and 10 (formerly Sehlalangenkani).
A once unhygienic squatter camp was turned into a beautiful and environment-friendly residential area, thanks to the joint efforts of the Musina Municipality, the Department of Local Government and Housing and the Vhembe District Municipality.
The plea of the people was accepted with a warm heart when 835 houses were built after it was realized that housing was one of the major challenges for people in the Musina area. The majority of the people have already moved into their houses, but there are some who have not collected their keys at the local municipality.
Mayor Caroline Mahasela jubilantly said: “It is apparent that local government must fulfil a prominent and decisive role in the provision of housing for residents in the municipal jurisdiction. This is subject to institutional building and appropriate capacity as mandated by the constitution of this country. Musina Municipality will continue its service delivery mandate, despite inadequate financial resources which continue to challenge effective implementation as the integrated and coordinated delivery eludes government initiatives. We strive to ensure that our local government system is able to respond to the needs of citizens.”
One of the beneficiaries, Elisa Dube (57), said: “I can’t believe that I now have a house that belongs to me. Although I am unemployed, I can see the fruits of democracy that our leaders have fought for. I used to stay in a shack with five members of my family, but I am now glad because that is history. I would like to thank Musina Municipality for doing a great job by providing us with these beautiful houses.”
Meanwhile, Community Services Manager Pedron Nndwa urged beneficiaries who have not collected their keys to contact his office. “An unoccupied house increases the chance of vandalism and it is good for people to move into their houses as soon as possible.”
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The economic conditions in Zimbabwe forced Tanaka Moyo (40) to legally seek greener pastures in Musina. He opted for a unique business plan, selling the wild jujube fruit to make a living. The fruit, called masau in Shona, is better known as mazwilu in Tshivenda.
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The Rivoni School for the Blind in in Njakanjaka village in the Vhembe District has 167 learners from Grade R to Grade 12. The school was started in 2016 by the Rivoni Society for the Blind, founded in June 1975 at Elim Hospital by late Swiss doctor Erwin Sutter. The society later transferred responsibility for the school to the Department of Education.