Premier Ramathuba gives new home to Netshiongolwe family in Limpopo
The Limpopo Provincial Government, led by Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba, proudly handed over a new home to the Netshiongolwe family in Ha-Begwa Village, within the Thulamela Local Municipality in the Vhembe District, on 17 October 2025. This event was not just about giving a house, but about fulfilling the government’s promise to provide safe, dignified shelter, especially for vulnerable families who have suffered due to natural disasters.
The Netshiongolwe family had endured years of hardship after their original mud homes were destroyed by severe floods in 2018, and then faced another storm in 2024. This new home is a symbol of hope and a step towards ensuring that every family in Limpopo has a place to call their own, with access to essential services and opportunities.
Detailed event summary
The significant event on 17 October 2025 involved the handing over of a new house to the Netshiongolwe family. This took place in Ha-Begwa Village, located within the Thulamela Local Municipality, which is part of the Vhembe District. The main speaker and presenter was Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba of the Limpopo Province.
Key individuals present at the ceremony included:
- Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba (Limpopo Province)
- MEC for CoGHSTA, Mr Basikopo Makamu (Limpopo Department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs)
- Executive Mayor of Vhembe District, Cllr Freda Nkondo (Vhembe District Municipality)
- Mayor of Thulamela Local Municipality, Cllr Sarah Rambuda (Thulamela Local Municipality)
- Thovhele Gole Mphaphuli and other members of the traditional leadership
- Councillors
- Representatives from Faith-Based Organisations
- Members of the media
- Community members of Ha-Begwa Village
The initiative highlights the government’s commitment to fulfilling its constitutional and moral duty to provide adequate shelter, protection, and dignity to its citizens. It also showcased the ongoing work under the Breaking New Ground housing programme.
A home restored: The Netshiongolwe family’s journey
The handing over of the house to the Netshiongolwe family marks a truly special moment, restoring their dignity after years of struggle. Their two mud homes were destroyed by terrible floods back in 2018, which left them without shelter and exposed to harsh weather. Initially, the municipality provided a tent as a temporary solution, but as everyone knows, a tent is not a proper home. The family, with five children, endured cold winters, rainy nights, and health risks, trying to keep warm in a leaking tent while their crumbling rondavel offered little protection.
Their hardships continued when another storm hit Ha-Begwa in 2024, causing more damage. Even then, hope arrived when the Limpopo Department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (CoGHSTA), through its Disaster Management Unit, stepped in. They provided a zinc shelter, which was an improvement on a tent, but still not a permanent home. Today, that long wait is finally over, and the Netshiongolwe family has a decent, safe, and dignified home, built with love and care.
Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba emphasised that a home is more than just a roof over one’s head; it is a place where families build memories, children study and dream, and where dignity and identity are found. This aligns with the government’s vision to not just build houses, but to create integrated communities with access to basic services like roads, water, electricity, and economic opportunities.
Government’s commitment to housing and community development
Under the leadership of MEC Basikopo Makamu, the CoGHSTA team has been making great progress in delivering human settlements. Last year, out of 4,555 planned housing units, an impressive 4,469 were completed. This included 54 units specifically for military veterans, honouring those who served our nation. This strong performance has led to an additional R500 million being allocated to the department for the 2023/24 and 2024/25 financial years. A recent Stats SA report also confirms that Limpopo is now performing better than any other province in providing formal homes, proving that the government is delivering on its promises, not just making them. For more information from the Limpopo Provincial Government, you can visit their website.
While celebrating these achievements, the Premier acknowledged that many families in Limpopo still need proper housing. The government remains committed to working with CoGHSTA, municipalities, and traditional leaders to prioritise vulnerable groups. This includes the elderly, people with disabilities, child-headed households, victims of disasters, and military veterans.
Beyond housing, challenges like access to clean water are also being addressed, particularly in Ha-Begwa and across the Vhembe District. To tackle this, a Water War Room has been set up in Vhembe. This initiative brings together engineers, planners, municipalities, and water authorities to find faster solutions to long-standing water issues, recognising that water is essential for life.
Community participation and future outlook
The government cannot achieve these goals alone. Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba made a call to action, urging the private sector, businesses, banks, construction companies, churches, NGOs, and all social partners to join hands. The idea is to “adopt families” in need and work together to build homes, echoing the Tshivenda saying, “Muthu ndi muthu nga vhanwe,” meaning ‘a person is a person through other persons’. By restoring the dignity of one family, we strengthen the foundation of our entire nation.
The new home for the Netshiongolwe family is a symbol of hope and new beginnings. The Premier urged them to take good care of it, so it can be a blessing for their children and future generations—a place of peace, love, and progress. To stay updated with similar initiatives and news from the Premier’s Office, you can visit Premier’s Office News.
