Oudtshoorn, 19 November 2024 – The Greater Oudtshoorn Municipality is currently busy with the Bongolethu Mudhouse Project, an initiative focused on rebuilding 25 deteriorating mud houses to provide safe and dignified homes for residents in need. This effort tackles decades-old housing challenges while improving living conditions and community development in Bongolethu.
Executive Mayor of the Greater Oudtshoorn Municipality, Alderman Johan Allers, emphasized the significance of the project: “Through strong collaboration with our stakeholders, the Human Settlement Office of the municipality has taken a crucial step forward with the Bongolethu Mudhouse Project, ensuring residents gain access to safe, durable, and dignified housing.”
The project addresses a long-standing challenge dating back to the pre-1994 era. At that time, vacant erven (plots) in Bongolethu were allocated to individuals, leading to varying levels of development over the years. While some properties were fully developed and required no assistance, many others were poorly constructed mud houses, which have since deteriorated significantly.
An initial survey identified 80 mud houses requiring attention, later rising to 97 as more residents registered for assistance during field assessments. These homes, scattered throughout Bongolethu’s avenues, are connected to essential services such as water, electricity, sanitation, and road access.
In 2017, the poor condition of the mud houses prompted a formal letter to the MEC. A delegation of four Bongolethu Committee members, accompanied by the former Director of Housing travelled to Cape Town to address these concerns.
An engineer’s inspection revealed the following:
- 18 houses required demolition,
- 7 houses were vacant, and
- 73 houses needed repairs.
To address these challenges, the beneficiaries of the 18 structures identified for demolition provided consent for the process.
As of September 2024, significant strides have been made. The municipality submitted a comprehensive application to the provincial government, including house plans, Power of Attorney documents, and Title Deeds to confirm ownership. The demolition process, driven by ASLA construction company, is already underway.
“The Bongolethu Mudhouse Project not only promises to rebuild 25 homes but also symbolizes a step toward improved living conditions and dignity for residents. This initiative reflects the municipality’s commitment to addressing historical inequities,” said Mayor Allers