Joshua Motsomane
MEC for CoGHSTA, Soviet Lekganyane addressing the audience while the CEO of Anglo Platinum, Mr Neville Francis Nicolau and Minister Tokyo Sexwale listen attentively.
NORTHAM – A Sod turning event for the first phase of the Each-One-Settle-One Project was held on Monday 28 November 2011.
The National Department of Human Settlements (NDOHS) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Anglo-American Platinum. The MOU was signed in December 2008 with the aim of facilitating the process of creating enabling environment for both NDOHS and AAP to build 20 000 housing units, 12 000 in North-West and 8 000 in Limpopo Province.
The 20 000 housing units will be built over a period of ten years within proximity of Anglo American Platinum’s mining operations. The housing units are targeted towards Anglo Platinum employees as part of its housing strategy and Departmental Each-One-Settle-One concept.
“We are indeed to also have in our midst a renowned individual and a stalwart against the Apartheid Regime. He is none other than the Minister for Human Settlement, Honourable Minister Tokyo Sekwale,” said Mayor Patricia Mosito in her welcome address. “From the onset I wish to indicate that a house is synonymous with dignity, respect and self-esteem.
“I wish to take this opportunity to commend the government and the Minister for the sterling work they do in terms of providing houses and invariably re-instating the dignity, respect and self-esteem of our people. The provision of a house becomes a home, a far cry from the mere brick, sand and cement structure. It becomes a place of warmth and security.”
She further commended the Minister and his department for changing the department from the Department of Housing to the Department of Human Settlement. “This holistic approach to human settlement development adds a human touch.
We are indeed proud that in our quest to meet the housing needs we have a company that has far exceeded expectations in the provision of houses in our area.”
Anglo American Platinum mine is in the forefront of companies embracing the aptly coined “Each-One–Settle-One” campaign launched by the Department of Human Settlement.
The campaign is to mobilise the top 200 companies on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), stakeholders, private sector institutions and donor agencies to help the department provide people with adequate housing.
“Each-One-Settle-One concept was launch to lobby and mobilize stakeholders, private sectors institutions, donor agencies and ordinary citizens to assist the Department in reducing the backlog of human settlements,” said Minister Sexwale. The minister also said that government alone cannot meet the demand in housing. He further made an appeal to all private sectors to join hands in addressing housing needs to the community.
Earlier on the day the Minister made a sod turning where the new Waste Water Treatment Works will be erected in Northam which Anglo American and the Municipality will fund. He further opened show houses on site at Northam extension 6.
The event was also attended by the MEC for CoGHSTA, Mr Soviet Lekganyane, CEO of Anglo American Platinum mines, Executives from Anglo American Platinum Mines, councillors and officials both Thabazimbi and Waterberg municipalities, officials from NDOHS, CoGHSTA and Anglo American Platinum mines as well as mine workers.
