The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Human Settlements will hand over a new home to a grieving Durban family on Mandela Day, offering them a chance for closure after a tragic loss during the February 2025 floods.



The family, who lost their matriarch, Zondeni Gcabashe, when she was swept away by raging floodwaters, has been in mourning. Of the five people lost in the disaster, Gcabashe’s body remains unrecovered, adding to the family’s pain. They were among the flood victims who were evicted from Bayside Lodge earlier in the week, leaving them temporarily without shelter before being moved to safer accommodation in Umbilo.



KwaZulu-Natal Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma confirmed the family would receive a house on Mandela Day. According to Duma, while many flood survivors were impacted by previous events such as the 2022 disaster, this specific family—affected by the more recent 2025 floods—was selected due to their unique circumstances. He explained that the gesture would assist them in performing traditional rituals and aid their emotional recovery.



Duma noted that the family had been informed of the decision and had responded positively to the news.



Gcabashe’s daughter, Ntombikhona Mhlongo, described the emotional toll of her mother’s disappearance, stating that she had been crying daily and desperately seeking answers. She welcomed the news of the new house, saying it would allow the family to continue their mother’s spiritual rites in a more appropriate space. Mhlongo shared that, traditionally, they believe her mother’s spirit may not rest until a permanent home is found.



She expressed appreciation for the coordinated efforts of the national, provincial, and local government authorities following their recent eviction, and said their temporary home in Umbilo was comfortable and peaceful.



Duma also visited other flood survivors now housed in Umbilo and said that most residents were satisfied with their improved living conditions. He reported that they felt safe and supported.



Meanwhile, Human Settlements head of department Max Mbili said that all three spheres of government are now working closely to ensure no further evictions occur from temporary shelters. He added that internal systems are being put in place to prevent a repeat of the recent displacements, and that current residents will remain housed until a long-term housing solution is secured.

The closure of the Newcastle furnace will result in the loss of over 1 300 direct jobs, with an estimated 2 200 indirect jobs at risk in the surrounding communities. This will exacerbate the already dire unemployment situation in South Africa, particularly in the rural areas where job opportunities are scarce. The economic spin-offs of the closure will be felt far and wide, with local businesses, suppliers, and service providers also facing financial ruin.


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The steel industry is a critical component of South Africa's economy, and the closure of the Newcastle furnace will have a ripple effect throughout the sector. The motor manufacturing industry, which relies heavily on locally produced steel, will be severely impacted, threatening the very existence of this critical sector. The consequences of this closure will be felt for generations to come, as the skills and expertise developed over decades are lost forever.

The threatened closure of Amsa’s Newcastle Furnace repeats a similar crisis when Amsa did likewise with its Saldanha Bay operations five years ago. Amsa’s possible exit would have similar catastrophic effects for its plants in Richard’s Bay and Vereeniging.

With a 41.09% unemployment rate, GDP growth barely breaking 1% and years of devastating de-industrialisation; this would be a blow we simply cannot afford.

The building was built during the time of the now defunct KwaZulu-Natal government under the late Inkosi Mangosuthu Buthelezi, then the Chief Minister, and has been lying idle for decades since the ANC-led government immediately abandoned the structure after taking power from the IFP in 2004.


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However, KZN Public Works and Infrastructure MEC Martin Meyer said it cannot be business as usual when such unused buildings drain the limited resources of the provincial government through rates and other related costs.

In a media briefing on Tuesday, the MEC said his department was busy finalising proposals which would be presented to the Cabinet on what to do with the building in order for it to be useful again.

“I think the media understands that this is a politically sensitive matter but I can confirm that in our proposal there are a couple of options that we will soon present to the cabinet for approval,” said the MEC.

Kanku Road Housing Project: A Step Toward Dignified Living for Isipingo Residents

*Location:** Kanku Road, Ward 90, Isipingo, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
*Budget:** R70 million – R170 million
*Date of Start:** June 1, 2020
*Date of Handover:** June 28, 2023
*Units Completed:** 360 semi-detached homes
*Beneficiaries:** Families from Isipingo Transit Camp (displaced during the 2010 FIFA World Cup and subsequent natural disasters)

Key Events & Dates:

*March 2020:** The eThekwini Municipality officially launched the Kanku Road Housing Project, aiming to build 360 semi-detached, double-storey homes with full services for residents of the Isipingo Transit Camp. This project was part of an effort to provide better housing for those living in temporary camps since the 2010 World Cup and later displaced by floods.
*June 1, 2020:** Construction commenced, starting with infrastructure works such as water systems, roads, and sewage.
*February 2021:** Progress was slowed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and protests from residents frustrated by delays.
*March 9, 2023:** Of the 360 planned homes, 147 were completed. Full completion was expected by June 2023.
*June 28, 2023:** Official handover of the homes to families, with 360 units completed. The handover ceremony was attended by national, provincial, and municipal officials, including Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi and eThekwini Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda.
*August 2023:** Some families entered homes before official municipal approval, claiming rightful status as beneficiaries, sparking tensions and protests.
*April 2025:** Issues with sewage overflow and sinkholes in the area were reported, causing dissatisfaction among residents and ratepayers.

Project Stakeholders:

*eThekwini Municipality**: Lead organization responsible for the project’s planning and execution.
*Project Preparation Trust (PPT)**: Assisted with planning and infrastructure setup.
*National and Provincial Government**: Supported through funding and policy direction.
*Beneficiaries**: Displaced families from Isipingo Transit Camp, many of whom had been living in temporary conditions since 2010.

Issues & Challenges:

*Delays**: Initial delays due to COVID-19 and a slow start with infrastructure construction.
*Verification and Occupancy**: Tensions arose in 2023 when some families occupied homes without final municipal verification, leading to protests.*Service Delivery**: Complaints of sewage system failure and sinkholes arose in 2025, further frustrating residents and ratepayers.

Conclusion:

The Kanku Road Housing Project represents a significant effort to provide permanent housing to displaced residents of Isipingo. While the project has faced delays and service delivery issues, the completed homes offer a step toward addressing long-standing housing needs in the area. Moving forward, addressing service issues and ensuring proper allocation processes will be crucial to the project’s ongoing success.