ELIM – How many farmers in the province and in the country have built solid houses that will stand for a long time for their farm workers?

In bridging the social gap between whites and blacks, with the main idea of eradicating poverty, Mr Carl and Poog Henning of Mununzwu Newco will hand over four-roomed houses to certain members of the land claimants of Moddervlei and who are also employees at the farm during a ceremony at Elim tomorrow (Saturday, September 18).

Before being given a fifteen-year contract to manage the farm and to develop the Moddervlei community, the Henning family was prompted to embark on building the four-roomed quality houses with electricity and ceilings to five farm workers around Elim in April this year. “These are the families of more than five people, who were each sharing one shabby rondavel mud house,” Henning said.

When asked about the significance of building the houses for the needy farm workers, he added that since his family arrived around here in 1913, they felt that they were part of the community, irrespective of racial classification. “In brief, we are just broadening our social responsibility while also trying to encourage them to work very hard.” When asked about the structure of the houses, Henning told Mirror that the houses are different to those which are being built by the Government, in the sense that they have improved on their workmanship and no shabby job was done in building the houses. “They are solid and can stand for a long time without being damaged by heavy rains and strong winds. As farmers, we are showing the community at large how to build houses that are going to stand for a longer period, but we are challenging businesspeople and the government to assist building quality houses to the poorest of the poor who are staying in dilapidated shacks and mud houses.”

He added that whilst they are building the houses free of charge, employees are expected to contribute some sweat equity and it is expected from them that they are not going to sold the houses. Presently, the farm has created permanent jobs for 100 workers and 100 more for seasonal farm workers.

The handing-over ceremony will start at 10:00 at Elim, and local businesspeople are expected to attend the occasion.