By: Nomvula Ndlovu

Dorah Radebe was one of the few fortunate Mpumalanga Township residents to have their home renovated by the Hammersdale Local Municipality.

The municipality launched a home renovation initiative earlier this year. However, there was a setback due to insufficient resources to implement the idea.

The initiative is part of the 20 years celebration of democratic progress in Hammersdale and giving back to society programme.

Addressing the public Thursday morning, Ward 6 Councilor Lucky Mngwengwe said, “There is no use of celebrating 20 years of democracy while people are still living in the same conditions.

This initiative is one of the many plans we have to progress Hammersdale and its people.” Radebe was the first of 10 residences who had their homes renovated. It took the municipality two weeks to complete the renovations, during that time Radebe and the other nine families stayed at the community centre.

“Staying at the community centre was not easy, simply because I did not have the privacy I had in my home but the wait was worth it at the end,” said Radebe.

With no stable income to have a sustainable living and put food on her table, the mother of five was highly appreciative of the self-less act by Mngwengwe. Radebe said that it is not every day where you see ward councilors do good deeds for community members.

Mngwengwe has truly brought back dignity to government officials. She added, “If only words could describe how much I appreciate this home. I too can now confidently say I have a home”. With over 100 homes to be renovated before the end of this year, Mngwengwe assured the residents quality service. “I believe in making change to prosper the community, we promise to deliver more homes of the best quality,” said Mngwengwe.