By Nyiko Moloi
The KwaZulu-Natal government has handed over disaster-relief houses to families in Nongoma who were affected by natural disasters in April 2025.
The handover, held on Friday, is aimed at providing affected families with safe and secure homes as they rebuild their lives following the destruction of their properties.
The ceremony was officiated by KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, at the Nhlophenkulu Mlokolothwa Sports Field.
The houses are intended to assist families whose homes were destroyed by the disasters and provide them with safer living conditions.
Buthelezi said the natural disasters that struck the Nongoma area in April 2025 affected several communities, particularly Wards 11, 13, 19 and 23.
“Therefore, today we are handing over ten houses to the affected families,” he said.
He said many residents had been left homeless following the disasters and that he had engaged with traditional authorities in Nongoma, referred to as “umkhandlu wesilo”, to secure land for the construction of houses.
The beneficiaries said the new homes would provide them with an opportunity to regain stability and security after months of difficult living conditions.
Lethiwe Dlamini, one of the beneficiaries, said her home was destroyed by floods, leaving her family without a permanent place to live.
“I have received a lot today because when you do not have a home you just feel hopeless but when you have a home you get your dignity back. It was hard to live in a place that was not in a good condition for the past months,” she said.
Another beneficiary, Eddie Mthembu, said he was grateful for the assistance provided to his family of six.
“We are grateful to Mr Shenge because he heard our plea, he came and saw the damage then worked hand in hand with the people from the department of disaster management,” he said.
Mthembu said the family had received a four-bedroom house and a fully furnished rondavel.
The handover brought together government officials, disaster management teams and members of the affected communities as the province continues its efforts to assist families affected by the April 2025 disasters.
