Ulundi Municipality House Handover: Restoring Hope in KwaZulu-Natal

Habitat for Humanity South Africa, in partnership with the Old Mutual Foundation, handed over ten newly built homes in Ward 1, Ulundi Local Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal. This was part of an ongoing effort to rebuild communities severely affected by the devastating floods of April 2022, which claimed 459 lives and left over 40,000 people homeless across KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape. The KZN House Rebuild Intervention Programme, funded by Old Mutual Foundation and implemented by Habitat, aims to build 80 permanent houses and 25 temporary shelters in key municipalities, including Ulundi. Strategic partners involved include the Department of Human Settlements, Ulundi Local Municipality, Zululand District Municipality, and the National Home Builders Registration Council. Habitat for Humanity South Africa’s National Director, Daphney Ngoasheng, remarked: "Former President Nelson Mandela dedicated his life to championing human rights and combating social injustices. We are grateful for the support and participation of everyone. When you get involved as a volunteer, you become part of the community and do something truly transformative that creates intergenerational change for the families benefiting from these homes." Old Mutual’s Social Investment Executive, N. Zulu, highlighted the power of partnership and solidarity: "In extending our support to flood-affected families in KZN, we reaffirm our belief in the power of collective action and the importance of solidarity in times of crisis... All we can hope for is to make a meaningful difference and stand true to our purpose of championing mutually positive futures every day." Zulu further stated: "The last two-and-a-half years have underlined that major social issues cannot be tackled alone. It is only through partnerships and alliances that real and impactful progress can be made in uplifting the socio-economic status of those afflicted by natural disasters, poverty, unemployment, inequality, and exclusion. We are extremely grateful for the partnership we have with Habitat for Humanity. By transforming hardships into hope, obstacles into opportunities, and tribulation into triumph, together with the communities in which we operate, we believe that we can all do great things." This handover was not just a provision of shelter but a restoration of dignity and hope. A reflection of Habitat’s ongoing mission to build strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter.