Great Progress on Mud Houses Eradication in Mpumalanga
By Thulane Madalane
Mkhondo: The eradication of mud houses remains a top priority for the Mpumalanga government as it strives to provide decent housing and foster a habitable environment for its residents. Mpumalanga MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements, and Traditional Affairs (CoGHSTA), Mr. Speed Mashilo, reaffirmed this commitment during the recent review of the Department’s progress in tackling unsafe housing structures across the province.
In his 2024/25 Policy and Budget Speech, MEC Mashilo announced the Department’s ambitious plan to demolish and replace 261 mud houses with safe, durable homes through the Rural Housing Programme. This initiative aligns with resolutions from the Minister and Human Settlements MEC’s (MinMEC) forum aimed at improving rural housing conditions and ensuring a better quality of life for all residents.
As of the end of the third quarter, a total of 210 mud houses have already been successfully replaced with proper housing, benefiting communities in Mkhondo, Bushbuckridge, and Chief Albert Luthuli Local Municipalities. These newly constructed homes stand as a testament to the Department’s unwavering dedication to creating safe and dignified living environments for Mpumalanga’s most vulnerable residents.
Despite these commendable achievements, the project has faced several challenges. The scattered nature of rural settlements has resulted in logistical difficulties, while some beneficiaries have resisted the demolition of existing mud houses, causing delays in progress. Additionally, financial constraints have impacted timelines for housing delivery. In response to these obstacles, the Department has increased community engagement, strengthened coordination with stakeholders, and is actively pursuing additional funding to ensure the programme’s success.
MEC Mashilo emphasized the importance of collective effort in overcoming these challenges, stating, “The eradication of mud houses is about more than meeting targets—it is about giving hope to families and ensuring that no one is left behind in our pursuit of a better future for all. We urge municipalities, community leaders, and stakeholders to join hands with us in this noble initiative.”
The municipality of Mkhondo is among those benefiting from this programme. Cllr Thembisile Khumalo, the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) responsible for Planning and Economic Development, welcomed the intervention by the department, stating, “This will go a long way in improving people’s lives as it marks a critical step toward creating sustainable and resilient communities across the province, reaffirming the government’s promise to uplift its people and build a brighter future for all.”
In addition to these efforts, Mpumalanga faces a significant housing backlog, with approximately 257,000 households currently on waiting lists for government-assisted housing. This statistic underscores the urgency of initiatives focused on eradicating mud houses and providing safe living conditions for all residents in the province.As the Department of Human Settlements continues to work tirelessly in this regard, it represents a beacon of hope for countless families who aspire to live in improved housing conditions and foster a sense of community and security.
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