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Ramaphosa hands over homes to 2022 KwaZulu-Natal flood victims

Published

President Cyril Ramaphosa inspected the first phase of a state-led housing project at Cornubia, north of Durban, on Thursday. He also called for better maintenance so subsidised homes do not fall into disrepair soon after handover.

More than 140 families displaced by the 2022 floods have moved into the Cornubia houses, near Phoenix. Premier Thami Ntuli and Human Settlement Minister Thembi Simelane went with Ramaphosa on the visit.

Ramaphosa urged beneficiaries to look after their homes and not sell them. He said houses fall down a month after being built when there is no way to repair them. He called for a facility management entity, paid a fee, and said black businesses should be encouraged into that space.

The 2022 floods killed more than 440 people in KwaZulu-Natal and completely destroyed 4 000 homes. More than 8 300 homes were partially damaged. A 62-year-old woman who received a new home said she is moved to tears each time she looks back on the floods.

Key facts

Who
Cyril Ramaphosa (President of South Africa); Thami Ntuli (Premier (KwaZulu-Natal)); Thembi Simelane (Human Settlement Minister); Zanele Buthelezi (reporter)
What
Ramaphosa, accompanied by Premier Thami Ntuli and Human Settlement Minister Thembi Simelane, visited the Cornubia housing project, where more than 140 families displaced by 2022 floods have moved in. He urged beneficiaries to look after their homes and not sell them, and called for a facility management entity.
When
29 October 2026
Where
Cornubia, Phoenix, Durban
Status
Reported

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