Full marks for social housing

The successful launch of the Shayamoya Social Housing project by the National Housing Minister Sankie Mthembi-Mahanyele, is a clear indication that partnerships built between the community, end users, NGOs, local government, the private sector and construction companies can work.

Malaysian Government envoys Tan-Shri Bernard Dompok and
Zainul Hawani Ahmad received a big thank you from the Shayamoya
Housing Association’s Rev John-John Mongoato, Provincial Housing Minister
Dumisane Makhaye, National Housing Minister Sankie Mthembi-Mahanyele and
Unicity Mayor Obed Mlaba.

The success of this project is further cemented by the ownership and administration of the housing by the community. In this case the Shayamoya Housing Association owns, manages and maintains the property in accordance with rules governing a Section 21 Association, which is made up of representatives from the eight neighbourhood groups. Representatives of these groups are elected to serve on the board of directors.
Shayamoya provides one, two and three bedroom units at affordable rentals, thus addressing the needs of a specific target income group, especially, households earning below R2 500 per month.
The project received a R12 million grant from the Malaysian Government which was secured by former state president Nelson Mandela during his first visit to Malaysia. The Provincial Department of Housing approved an additional R5,5million for completion of the project.

This all male group kept the crowds clapping with their special brand
of Gospel music during the Shayamoya social housing launch.

Shayamoya is a pilot project which is intended to demonstrate a viable housing delivery mechanism using social housing, and the use of development finance in the best possible manner by building socially acceptable high density housing. It also serves as a role model to persuade both local and national government to provide increased institutional subsidies for the development of rental housing for households who earn below R2 500 per month.