N2 Gateway Community Newsletter MAY 2012 NO 7 The N2 Gateway Project started in 2005 and phase one is nearing completion. It is a project of the National Department of Human Settlements. Phase one will deliver about 15 000 houses. The project provides houses for residents of the informal settlements and backyarders along the N2. Current projects include the following: Joe Slovo • Delft Symphony • Delft 7-9 • Boystown • Temporary Relocation Areas (TRAs) A fAmily’S hopeS ARe ReAliSeD Wednesday 25th of April was a very important day for Selwin Daniels and his family: it was the day that they finally obtained a secure and quality home of their own. Having faced illness, hunger, poor living conditions and unemployment, the family now has a house in Delft Symphony from which to build their future. Selwin and his partner Jolin Van harte moved into freedom farm over seven years ago and during that time had three children. The family faced many difficulties at this location with their daughter suffering from meningitis and both Mr Daniels signing his contract parents facing long-term unemployment. They started off in a 2 x 3 metre shack and while the parents gradually It was not at all a healthy location, and their daughter was expanded the dwelling they were soon faced with a stark sent to live with her grandmother in elsies River the hope choice: sell the building materials or have no food for the that the house would provide a better environment for her table. Selwin had to go searching for food for his family health problems. Selwin himself also suffered significant beyond freedom park. fortunately, Jolin was able to secure lung illness and although he sought treatment the shack her documents and obtain social grants for the children and was subject to cold and damp, working against his recovery. was thus able to purchase food. The family have finally moved into their new house and will All three children were born in the shack at freedom park. soon be joined by their daughter. Jolin was struck by what she saw as the beauty of the house after living so long in an inadequate shack. Taking possession of the house has inspired Selwin to find a job and to strive to build a better future for his children. His daughter is now five years old and his two sons are three and one. He feels that having the house has given him more options. Indeed, Delft Symphony provides better access to employment opportunities and other services than freedom park. “i have a bigger responsibility now. i’m very happy and relieved” he says. “i could die today but my children will have this house.” Selwin and Jolin not only have a safe and healthy place to live, replete with running water, flushing toilets and electricity. They own a house, with a title deed and all, giving them a true social and economic asset to help Selwin Daniels in his new house in Delft Symphony secure their and their children’s future. who are poor and vulnerable gain the skills to become meSSAge fRom XolAni independent and fully integrated into society. TShAkA pRoJecT mAnAgeR: “Disability” can refer to many things. A “disabled” person Joe SloVo phASe 3 may have mobility limitations, be visually or hearing impaired, intellectually delayed, among many other factors. my name is Xolani Tshaka and i am the hDA project manager for the Joe Slovo Phase 3 human settlement project in The Disability Programme also promotes the rights and langa, cape Town. well-being of people with disabilities. Support is delivered to families as the programme understands that disability Throughout my 16 years in housing development I have been affects a whole family, not just the person with the disability. working with communities to develop better living environments The programme also aims to raise awareness of disability and to build stronger communities. It has always been my issues in communities across the province. belief that a successful community development should ensure that people are actively involved in planning and The DSD funds some 42 protective workshops throughout design, as well as implementation and post implementation the Western cape and some of these are accessible for n2 whether through community management initiatives or Gateway communities. These workshops were established ownership of the development. for people who, due to the nature of their disability, were experiencing difficulties in finding jobs. However, after gaining Through maximising community buy-in and providing skills and experience, many participants found employment residents with meaningful opportunities for input we can in the open labour market. In fact, the Disability Programme help ensure that the role of residents is not merely to be may be able to facilitate an open market job placement for passive housing beneficiaries. Rather, residents become its trained participants. The 42 workshops provide a variety participating community members actively building their of training and work opportunities to over 3 000 people own neighbourhoods with disabilities. in terms of a strong community spirit, The Disability Programme at DSD, working with a wide range quality services and of partners, offers a range of services including peer support infrastructure, and even groups, family/parental support programmes, counselling such critical matters as services and trauma debriefings, and community educational economic opportunities programme. empowerment programmes for people with and job opportunities. disabilities, life skills and programmes enhancing positive self-image and self-perception are also offered. As part of its In some instances, such Vision 2017, the Disability programme is aiming to expand community building and improve its services. efforts are shadowed by internal conflicts and for more information about the Disability programme at local power struggles. DSD, or for advice and referrals, please contact Patiswa These remain the momoza on 021 483 4015. you may also go to any office of ultimate challenges the Western cape provincial Department of Social Services. for any successful development in our communities. pRoVince pRoViDeS A RAnge of Support AnD ServiceS foR people WiTh DiSABiliTieS If you or a member of your family has a disability, or if you are working in your community with people with disabilities, the provincial Department of Social Development (DSD) wants to work with you! DSD has a Disability Programme which funds and facilitates programmes and services to people with disabilities. Working with a range of stakeholders including ngos and disabled people’s organisations, the programme aims to ensure that people with disabilities The neeD To mAke A Will In the last issue of this newsletter we discussed what action surviving family members should take when a homeowner dies. In this issue we discuss the importance of all homeowners making a last Will and Testament, often simply called a “will.” By making and leaving a will you are in a position to decide and instruct how your assets, including your house, money, goods, etc., are to be distributed and dealt with after you die. By making a will, you ensure that the distribution of your estate occurs in accordance with your wishes. Any person over the age of 16 can make a will, as long as they understand what they are doing. In a will you can leave your property to anyone you wish – partners, children, relatives, friends or strangers. once you have decided how you want to divide your ReDucing The SAle property, you must decide who will do this for you when you die. The person you choose is called an executor. If you don't RestricTion peRioD? choose an executor, the master of the high court will name someone executor, usually a member of your family. Recently there have been public discussions about the possibility of reducing the time restriction (currently By making a will you will also be able to: eight years) between a new owner taking possession of • provide for assets to be safeguarded for your beneficiaries a subsidised house and being allowed to sell it. While • Arrange for your assets to be managed by a competent recognising the rights of homeowners and the need for person on behalf of child beneficiaries until they are old mobility, there are good reasons for not reducing the eight- enough to deal with the assets themselves year time period restriction for beneficiaries to sell their • State whether you wish to be buried or cremated homes. for one reason, the n2 gateway communities need time to settle and develop. It may take years to build good All wills must be done in writing and require two witness neighbourly relations and a strong community spirit. Strong, to sign the will (they must be over 14 years but it should capable community leadership can also take some years to preferably both be adults) and they must be present when develop. A community which changes its membership too you sign. However, any person who is to receive any benefit quickly might undermine its own development. under your will, including your immediate family members, should not sign as a witness. If they sign as a witness it even once you have reached your eight year limit and are would disqualify them from benefitting from the will. you thinking about selling your house legally, ask yourself these must take the document to a commissioner of oaths who questions: will certify that he/she has satisfied himself/herself as to • Do i understand enough about local real estate market your identity as the will-maker and that the will as signed is conditions to ensure that I know the difference between a really your will. good offer and a bad one? • Can i afford the services of a qualified lawyer to draft up It is best to use the services of a qualified lawyer to help you the formal sales agreement for me? draw up and execute your will.