Owning a house is one of the basic needs but it has remained a major challenge for most of the poorly-paid workers.
The need for housing has swelled over the years with the 2005 shamed government-driven Operation Murambatsvina that left an estimated 700 000 homeless in urban areas, worsening the situation.
But after Operation Murambatsvina, the government then launched Operation Gakarikai/Hlalani Kuhle where 700 core houses were constructed in Bulawayo.
These properties, to date still lack basics such as water and sewer reticulation.
But a group of individuals seeking to own properties approached the government and were allocated 7 000 stands in Cowdray Park, which they would service and construct houses at their own expense.
The birth of the Bulawayo Home Seekers Consortium Trust (BHSCT) saw the dream of owning houses for many in the city come true.
While construction of houses is at various levels, BHSCT is focusing on servicing the stands to make the suburb habitable.
The consortium is driven by contributions from members of the association who are seeking to have decent accommodation for their families.
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According to BHSCT project coordinator, Mkhululi Nyathi, work is in progress to build houses and connect critical sewer and water reticulation to the aspiring homeowners, some of whom were directly affected by the notorious Operation Murambatsvina, which was condemned by the United Nations.
He said although about a paltry 25% of the beneficiaries were contributing towards the purchasing of sewer and water pipes, efforts were put in place to have the essential services brought to the community.
About 80% of the sewer system has been connected.
While construction of properties is underway, BHSCT has managed to commission several communal water points in the suburb to help the residents whose ambition to own houses is coming to fruition.
As a way of improving water supplies in the suburb BHSCT has signed a memorandum of understanding with the National University of Science and Technology to work on ways to harness ground and rain water.
Bulawayo has over the years faced perennial water problems because the population is growing more than the capacity of supply dams.
Apart from installing water and sewer connections to the new Cowdray Park community, BHSCT has also constructed bridges that link the community with the rest of the city’s road network.
“In a bid to reduce costs associated with the conventional approach to servicing, the organisation is in the process of implementing main holes ring moulding which will reduce costs by 50%. This project may sell excess to other developers so as to self-finance itself,” said Nyathi.
Plans are also underway to implement a brick-moulding project as a way of self-funding and ensuring self-sustenance. These self-help projects have so far been proved to be the catalyst for affordable housing delivery worldwide.
Nyathi said: “Bulawayo Home Seekers Consortium Trust is not about politics but about sustainable human housing and settlements and we pray for the day when all of us could operate toward this common vision, with less suspicion and antagonism.”
One of the housing project beneficiaries, Morgan Moyo, said it was critical that BHSCT was spearheading implementation of critical water and sewer reticulation systems because lack of the services could lead to a serious health hazard.
He urged fellow beneficiaries to constantly contribute towards the purchase of the much-needed sewer pipes, failure of which stands would be repossessed.
It has also emerged that some of the beneficiaries have never set foot on their stands which have been lying idle for over five years.
It was discovered that close to 400 stands were being claimed by more than one beneficiary, a situation that is now a source of conflict amongst the beneficiaries. But the anomaly is being corrected.
An elderly Nomsa Dlodlo said she was closer to her dream of owning a house as construction was in progress while the servicing of the land was also taking shape. She paid tribute to the BHSCT for taking a leading role in ensuring the community has access to basic needs.
A recent tour of the area showed a fast-growing suburb with magnificent houses at various stages of completion. The community is now working towards connection of electricity, which is expected before year end.
