RESIDENTS of Mazista, commonly known as Skierlik, near Swartruggens in North West, were very happy yesterday after Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale handed over 200 low-cost houses.

The houses form part of the first phase of a R500million housing project planned for the area.

The beneficiaries are mostly farm workers who were evicted from farms in and around Koster and Swartruggens.

Skierlik came onto the radar two years ago after four people, including a three-month-old baby, were killed by a rifle-toting Johan Nel in a racially motivated shooting spree in the settlement.

Nel is currently serving four life sentences for the murders.

One of the beneficiaries is Lerato Lefatshe, a 21-year-old bread winner who also looks after her four siblings because her parents died last year.

"I am happy we now have our own house.

"Sometimes I have to stay awake the whole night when my younger siblings cry. In the morning I leave them with my brother, Goitsemodimo, 17, and sister Tsholofelo, 15, while I go to work," she said.

Lefatshe works at a local slate quarry and earns R800 a month.

"I am very happy. At last we have running water, a bathroom and the house is big," she said after being handed the keys to the new house.

Equally happy was Ishmael Moyo, 26, who lives with seven siblings. Moyo is also the sole breadwinner.

He said no one in his family gets a social grant.

Handing over the keys to the houses, Sexwale, urged the beneficiaries to take care of their new homes.

"These houses did not come 'skierlik (easily)'. They are not just houses. Please take good care of them.

"By building houses for our people the government is bringing back people's dignity," he said.

Sexwale, together with other government dignitaries planted four trees and also donated food parcels to residents.