The Provincial Housing Department programme harbours good news for development and employment to the people in Makana East. They use emerging local contractors in a housing delivery project for the township.

Eight of the 17 emerging contractors appointed by the Department are from Makana. The tender is for 400 low-cost housing units to be constructed on sites that have been fully serviced by the Municipality.

The 8 local contractors that have complied and qualified for the tender can give just over 200 people a job in construction. Both skilled and unskilled labourers are needed to bring the project to a successful end.

The Makana emerging local contractors that were appointed by the Department are: Abongile-Sinothando Contractors; Aluta Developers; Asson Building Construction; Nobunono Contractors; Rhini Developers; Simaro Contractors; Sunshine Dunes Contractors and Strudom-Kroqwana Construction. The total budget for the first 215 housing units is estimated at R16 739 719.50 and will be funded from the Conditional Grant allocation.

One of the contractors, Mr Sipho Dyibhishe, confirmed that initial construction has already begun on 25 March at the allocated Transit Camp site. He expressed his appreciation that they also, as emerging contractors, are being recognised and given the chance to develop their locality and extend employment opportunities to local people.