Alfred Moselakgomo

Alfred Moselakgomo

People who live on the Kwa-Mgreek farm near Thekwane North in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, now have something to smile about.

After years of living in squalid conditions, the provincial housing department has finally started delivering the houses they had been promised.

Last week, 20 new housing units were handed over to farm dwellers under the Farm Worker Housing Programme.

Departmental spokesperson Simphiwe Kunene said the programme sought to improve the living conditions of farm dwellers by providing them with adequate housing with "clean water, electricity and sanitation".

Until last week the residents were living in a compound abandoned by the previous owner of the farm - with no access to electricity and proper sanitation.

"The department, in partnership with the Mbombela local municipality, appointed Sihlangu Semnikati Construction to build the houses," said Kunene.

"The municipality provided the land and we allocated subsidies to all qualifying residents. More than two thirds of the houses have been occupied."

The project was launched last November.