A wave of joy swept through Cato Crest on Tuesday morning as 81-year-old Gogo Fungeleni Sithole stood before her soon-to-be home, overwhelmed with emotion. For the first time since settling in the informal settlement in 1992, she will finally have a permanent, dignified place to call her own.
The visit by KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, formed part of Operation Siyahlola—a provincial oversight initiative aimed at monitoring housing project progress and ensuring timely delivery. During his inspection, Duma personally showed Gogo Sithole her nearly completed unit, one of 72 being constructed to rehouse victims of floods and fires.
“This is a dream come true,” said Sithole, who lost her previous home during the devastating floods that struck Durban. “I am so happy that by the end of June, the MEC has promised to hand over the keys to my new home.”
The Cato Crest Housing Project, valued at over R17 million, is being developed by Lukhanya Buildings, a construction firm known for its expertise in civil engineering and infrastructure development . The project is in its final stages, with 46 units completed and the remaining 26 requiring minor work such as the installation of electricity, doors, and windows.
MEC Duma emphasised the importance of providing dignified housing, especially for the elderly. “It is always good to see the betterment of people’s lives, especially the elderly, who deserve a dignified home while they are still alive,” he said. He also noted that, although project managers projected completion by September, he has enforced a June deadline to ensure beneficiaries receive their homes sooner.
Duma urged beneficiaries to take care of their new homes, stating that temporary structures in the informal settlements would be demolished. “After we hand over these units, we don’t want new structures to be erected in the informal settlement. We will ensure that by tasking eThekwini Municipality to enforce its bylaws and monitor the area,” he said.
Cato Manor, historically known as Umkhumbane, has a rich cultural and political heritage. In the early 20th century, it was home to a diverse community of African and Indian residents. However, during the apartheid era, the area experienced forced removals and violent uprisings . Today, efforts are being made to restore and develop the area, providing residents with improved living conditions.
The Cato Crest Housing Project is part of a broader initiative to build over 1,500 units in eThekwini, with 71 units nearing completion and 1,421 remaining. Given the limited land availability in KwaZulu-Natal, the Department of Human Settlements has opted for double-storey units to accommodate more families.
As Gogo Sithole awaits the official handover of her new home, her story stands as a testament to the transformative impact of dedicated housing initiatives and the promise of a brighter future for the residents of Cato Crest.
