Thembisa Maso in front of her tiny shack in KTC. Photo by Mary-Anne Gontsana.
3 December 2014
Tirelessly since 2001, Thembisa Maso has been sent pillar to post by the City of Cape Town, the Department of Human Settlements, housing committees and ward councilors, only to be disappointed. Finally, she will be able to move into her home by the end of this week.
GroundUp first reported on Maso from KTC two years ago, when the housing project she was part of went bust and she was left living in a tiny shack alongside an unfinished house in her yard
“I am happy that finally I will be moving into a house after so many years. For as long as I can remember, doors have been shutting in my face each time I would try and find out what is preventing the housing department from giving us houses that were approved,” said Maso.
Maso, who started suffering from depression, says it was hell dealing with the housing officials who were part of the Masizakhe People’s Housing Process. At one point, the community was told that the project had run out of money, and this meant that they would not get their houses.
Thembisa Maso will finally get a house after waiting 13 years. Photo by Masixole Feni.
“I don’t know how many people I have exchanged words with at the City of Cape Town and the provincial department of housing. I have written to the minister; I have tried so many avenues; finally it has all paid off,” she said.
Maso has been living in a tiny shack that leaks when it rains. She told GroundUp how she once had to sit on a chair through the night while her daughter slept on her because the bed was too wet.
Maso’s unfinished house was demolished and rebuilt. All it needs now are the windows and a door fitted.
“I can’t wait to move in. What is different about this new house is that I will also have a toilet inside; the previous one did not include an inside toilet,” she said.