​Thembisa Shologu
After receiving an official letter of authorisation for her service stand, precious Mfeka finally has a place to call home, a space of respect and dignity.
On Thursday, the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) handed over 1620 serviced stands to deserving beneficiaries as part of the Ikagaleng Rapid Land Release programme.
The programme is a strategic intervention designed to provide qualifying and approved beneficiaries with serviced stands, enabling them to build their own houses.
Mfeka registered through the Ikageleng programme in 2020. The 44-year-old mother said she has been renting for some time.  
"I have been renting for some time and moving from one place to another has been difficult. It took a toll on all of us, especially the children, because we sometimes moved to a place where they would need to take a taxi or transport to school. 
"Finally, the wait is over. We now have our own land, and we will make plans to build as soon as we can with my husband," said the ecstatic Mfeka. 
"It is something I pray for every day. God has come through for us, even if I were to die, I know my children will have a place they call home. I have my mother's place, but it is not the same," she added.  
The Housing Development Agency has provided six building plans, ranging from 40m2 to 100m2, for the beneficiaries to choose from.
Another beneficiary, Marcia Mbele, said she was ecstatic and that receiving her stand number meant a lot. 
"I registered under the Ikageng project in 2021. Paying rent has been the hardest part, and not having your own property is difficult when you have kids. One has to hustle just to pay rent, but it is easier when you have your own property.
"I am over the moon. I can't wait to build my dream house, my children's home. I am not sure when I will start building, but I trust and believe that God will make a way. When God remembers me, I can die in peace knowing my children have a home, unlike if I die while renting," said 35-year-old Mbele.  
Premier Lesufi described the Ikageleng Rapid Land Release programme as a housing solution for people in the gap market, which includes security guards, petrol attendants, clerks and shop tellers.
During the handover in Daveyton, Premier Lesufi expressed gratitude to the Housing Development Agency, Eskom, and the City of Ekurhuleni for installing water and electricity and providing house plans. 
"You are not going to wait for the government. We are done. Whether you build today, or tomorrow is now up to you. People, now it is in your hands. It is your stand; you make your own rules.
"We're in the process of registering the stands so that you have your title deeds. So that when God remembers you, you leave your children with their title deeds at their homes. We also do not want to dump you here; we want to build schools here," said Lesufi.
He urged residents not to get involved in criminal activities like bribery as the programme was meant for South Africans. 
"We are building these houses for you, South Africans only. We are not saying we do not want others, but this is for the people of South Africa. 
"So, I am pleading with you for a change; let us do the right thing. We are tired of all these funny things, bribery, and doing things for friends that must come to an end. I am begging you, please, let this for the first time be a place where things are done the right way, no funny business," he said.
MEC for Human Settlements Tasneem Motara said Gauteng was the first province to roll out this programme. The department has learnt many lessons from it, and they will revise and improve the policy based on these lessons.
Motara apologized to residents for the delay, citing financial constraints. 
"I want to apologize to everybody who has waited extremely long for a house. The demand is enormous; our economy is just not growing quickly enough. 
"We want this development and this community to prosper; we want it to be a place of peace and security, but most importantly, we want it to be a place of dignity and comfort to everybody who is going to reside in this new community. I
"You are going to have proper housing that will give you respect and dignity but, most importantly, security of tenure, a title deed that says this is my home, this is my property, I own it, and I can leave it to my family and my family can give it to their family on and on," added MEC Motara. 
Earlier on the day, Premier Lesufi and MEC Motara issued about 18 000 flats through the Helderwyk Mega Project in Ekurhuleni.