Written by: Menelisi Ndwandwe

The area of Vulindlela, west of Pietermaritzburg, most popularly known for violence that erupted a decade ago, has changed to become an exemplary when it comes to cooperatives.

Ministry of Human Settlement celebrated the achievement of building 4.3 million houses in the past 22 years in the community of Vulindlela. In 2011, the People’s Housing Project was launched in the area, with an aim of uniting the community that is led by five traditional councils.

The celebrations were also attended by President Jacob Zuma and Minister of Human Settlement, Lindiwe Sisulu.

Zuma, praised the people of Vulindela in having a voice in the development that is happening in their community.

“People of this area are unique. They took a decision on how their houses should look like and they built themselves. This is the society of integrity. Other societies across the country should take note,” said Zuma.

INkosi Ximba who is a representative of the chiefs in the area praised the project for bringing peace and unity.

“People now work together, there is less violence, fewer people with undignified houses. It’s amazing to see 13 cooperatives, working together, building their own houses in the community,” said Ximba.

KwaZulu-Natal MEC of Human Settlement, Ravi Pillay, gave the background of the project.

“The project was first advertised as a tender, but the leadership under the guidance of the then Premier Zweleni Mkhize changed the format, to accommodate and uplift this community,” explained Pillay.

“The final project will have 25 000 houses and currently, there are 12 000 houses that are completed,” he said.

He added that there are many people that are employed through this project and it allows the money to circulate within the community.

By 2018, the government aims to have invested R2 billion in the area and aims to empower the youth with necessary skills in the construction environment.

*Caption: One of the houses in the Vulindlela project