Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements, Tasneem Motara, joined hundreds of volunteers from Habitat for Humanity South Africa, Sanlam, and Henkel to build homes for vulnerable members of the Orange Farm community, south of Johannesburg.
The initiative formed part of International Mandela Day celebrations under the theme: “It’s still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity.”
MEC Motara emphasised that partnerships between government, civil society, and the private sector represent the very best of what South Africa can and should be.
“We must work together—not just to build houses, but to restore hope,” she said.
“As the Department, we are proud to support initiatives like the Mandela Day Build, as it speaks directly to our core values: dignity, inclusion, and transformation,” added Motara.
She reminded volunteers that each wall they construct is a stand against poverty.
“Every house we build is a foundation for a better future. A house is where it all begins—it creates communities. When you have a home, half the battle is already won. It’s your safety net, your place of comfort and guidance, and the community around you helps shape who you become.”
Motara praised Habitat for Humanity for successfully aligning its work with both government efforts and the spirit of Mandela Day.
She also thanked partners such as Sanlam, Henkel, and the SABC for their hands-on involvement in the construction efforts.
“It’s not about simply recognising Mandela Day in name, but about living its meaning—taking action, inspiring change, and making every day a Mandela Day.”
Motara noted that by building homes, volunteers were living out the ethos of former President Nelson Mandela: making a tangible difference in people’s lives.
“We are changing the lives of families who have long waited for dignity, safety, and a place to call home. It is fitting that this act of service is happening in Orange Farm, a community with a proud history of activism and resilience,” she said.
Daphney Kau Ngoasheng, National Director of Habitat for Humanity South Africa, echoed this sentiment, stating: “Shelter is the foundation of everything. When you have a home, you have safety, dignity, better health, and your children can thrive at school. Studies show that both mental and physical health improve once someone has a home.”
She added that women, often the most vulnerable, feel safer when they have a secure place to live.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, many could do without going to the office—but you couldn’t do without a home.”
Ngoasheng concluded by saying that Nelson Mandela’s legacy is a call to action.
“Government cannot solve the housing crisis alone. We must all work together.”
