Ululation and a joyful mood was the order of the day when 19 housing beneficiaries in Harare received keys to their new houses on Monday 20 June.
Some of the beneficiaries have been on the waiting list for over two decades and the day seemed like a dream come true for them.
Broad smiles were clearly visible as Anele Gabuza, Ward 98 councillor, handed over the keys to each of the 19 beneficiaries.
To date, 92 houses have been handed over as part of the 483 Harare Housing Project development.
One of the beneficiaries, Nomzamo Sovithi (61) told City Vision she lost hope of ever owning a house. She has been on the waiting list since 1998.
“I am overwhelmed with emotions to see that this day has finally arrived to me as well. I have been staying in people’s houses all these years without any hope of ever receiving a house,” said an ecstatic Sovithi.
“I am very happy, and thanks to the councillor for delivering this to me. I have been on the waiting list since 1998 and I had even lost hope,” she said.
Another beneficiary, Nomangesi Khayi (52) said she has been on the waiting list for 17 years.
“This is like a dream come true for me. I am very excited that I now own my own house,” she said.
Gabuza said it was pleasing to see beneficiaries “excited” about finally owning houses.
“We make sure that every two weeks we hand over keys to the rightful owners. All the beneficiaries are people that have been on the data base of the City of Cape Town,” he said.
Gabuza urged those that are still waiting for their houses to be “patient” as their turn will also come.