Makana Municipality scooped a top award in an awards ceremony organised by the provincial human settlements department for the Mayfield housing project in Extension 10.
Makana Municipality scooped a top award in an awards ceremony organised by the provincial human settlements department for the Mayfield housing project in Extension 10.
The embattled municipality finally has something to smile about after being awarded the Govan Mbeki award for best integrated residential development programme. The municipality will in August compete nationally.
The department recently hosted its annual awards ceremony to promote and inculcate excellence within the human settlements sector in the delivery of quality housing and dignity to South Africans.
Municipal spokesperson Yoliswa Ramokolo said the municipality was excited at the announcement.
"This department recognised and awarded the best performing contractors, housing projects and municipalities in the delivery of human settlements for the 2014/15 financial year at the 6th Provincial annual Govan Mbeki awards held in Mthatha on 30 April," she said.
During a press briefing last Friday executive mayor Zamuxolo Peter said they feel honoured.
"Many a times we are known for some of the challenges that face us, be it water challenges the infrastructure that is ageing.
I think this time around we are proud to be here in front of you talking about Mayfield phase one and two, which was initially approved by the province," he said.
Peter said the project began with building 1 000 houses.
However, there were challenges with electrifying the area. "Unfortunately for that project the connection wasn't really budgeted for and we had to approach Eskom. They came to our rescue and we managed to connect around 1 000 houses," he said.
Peter said the municipality is keen to continue with phase two, but first need to sort out bulk infrastructure.
"We want to continue with the second phase but we are a bit handicapped.
Peter said the bulk infrastructure is there but requires upgrading.
"We are working on that to make sure that we upgrade [another area], possibly Belmont Valley, so as to accommodate the other 1 200 houses that we want to build as part of our phase two," he said.
"After all the challenges this municipality has been through, we regard the award as an indication that not all is so bad as perceived by the media and other sources.
"We are very proud that the province has chosen Makana Municipality on this category, but we have to prove this nationally," he said.
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