Pretoria - Habitat for Humanity South Africa is urging South Africans to get involved in their initiative to build 67 houses during their "International Nelson Mandela Build Week" from 16 to 20 July.
Although Habitat builds houses all year round, this particular initiative represents one of their largest "blitz builds" to date, in honour and to commemorate International Nelson Mandela Day.
Nelson Mandela Day is an annual international day held in honour of South Africa's first democratic President. It is celebrated on Mandela's birthday - 18 July.
The day was officially declared by the United Nations in November 2009, with the first UN Mandela Day held on 18 July 2010.
The houses will be built in Orange Farm in Gauteng, Mfuleni in the Western Cape and Umgababa in KwaZulu-Natal.
Adrienne Burke, Habitat's National Marketing and Communication Officer, said to achieve their ambitious target, they needed the help of South Africans to raise the funding required for the 67 houses and also by volunteering their time onsite during the build week as well.
Under the guidance of qualified artisans, volunteers will lend a hand in mixing cement, passing building blocks, erecting walls, trusses and the laying of roof tiles, among other things.
On the fifth and final day of the build week, all 67 houses will be handed over to the beneficiaries at Habitat's Special Handover Ceremony.
During the ceremony, the volunteers will be given the opportunity to say a few words as the keys to the houses are handed over to each beneficiary.
"It is a very moving experience for all volunteers having played an instrumental role in making a tangible difference to someone's lives. Join Habitat and the global community and commemorate Nelson Mandela International Day by building the 67 houses in his honour," said Burke.
