Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Mayor, Babalwa Lobishe, has officially unveiled the much-awaited programme to register backyard dwellers for RDP houses.
Launched in KwaLanga, Kariega, on Wednesday, the Backyard Dweller Registration Programme is an effort by the municipality to give special focus to the plight of backyard dwellers, who have been raising what they called a ‘neglect and prioritisation of illegal land occupiers’.
Lobishe explained that the programme will be rolled out by the offices of ward councillors, where backyard dwellers will be registered on a list that will be audited to check whether requirements are met.
“The qualifying residents will then be included in the housing waiting list. Those who have met the requirements and qualified will be informed,” Lobishe said.
Lobishe said the registration programme responded to the plight of backyard dwellers.
Reflecting on the government’s decision to build RDP houses, the Mayor emphasised the aim to restore dignity to previously disadvantaged individuals.
To ensure accurate data collection, she said 200 field workers have been appointed across the city, with four assigned per ward.
Lobishe also commended backyard dwellers for their patience and discipline in refraining from land invasions, saying “this is the time to reward you”.
“The fact that you have stayed in your backyard rooms or houses for all these years, while some have decided to invade land, is not taken for granted. From now we will be moving with speed to complete the registration process in three months’ time.
“We are also engaging the other spheres of government to consider us in their budgeting so that our housing delivery can include backyard dwellers. We accept that we should have done more for you, and appeal that you work with us, as we start this journey,” Lobishe said.
Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Thembinkosi Mafana, said the commencement of the programme is part of the key deliverables for the directorate.
"We have set ourselves key priorities, taking care of the vulnerable, elderly, women, and child- headed families, and addressing the imbalances of the past like backyard dwelling, asbestos-roofed homes and informal settlements,” Mafana said.
One of the prospective backyard dweller beneficiaries, Nosipho Jicelo, said they are happy that the time has come for backyard dwellers to be taken care of.
"Some of us have been living as backyard dwellers for more than 20 years, patiently waiting for us to be considered. We hope that this programme will yield positive results this time around,” Jicelo said.
The registration process will start on 6 March 2025 until the end of June 2025, with a stringent verification process in place. – SAnews.gov.za
