Nissan’s commitment to housing development in South Africa continues to grow from strength to strength, with the handover of 24 new houses to first-time homeowners today. This latest donation brings the total number of houses to 74.
The Nissanda project, short for Nissan Development Area is a development initiative in partnership with the City of Tshwane and Habitat for Humanity, designed to alleviate the backlog of housing in South Africa.
“Having a home empowers people, affirms their dignity and provides them with a sense of ownership and value,” said Wonga Mesatywa, Nissan Corporate Communications Director, South Africa. “The Nissanda project allows us to fulfil a basic human right by providing security to those who are most vulnerable.”
“Millions of South Africans are either homeless or living in unsafe conditions. This led Nissan to join forces in 2012 and launch the Nissanda project with the city of Tshwane und Habitat for Humanity”, added Mesatywa.
The Nissanda programme attempts to tackle poverty, injustice, and unemployment in local communities while also cultivating a sense of belonging, ownership, and community cohesion. Nissan’s ultimate goal is to see significant, long-term transformation in the lives of those who need it the most.
“As the City of Tshwane, we truly value this partnership with Nissan SA and Habitat for Humanity,” said Randall Williams, Cllr, Executive Mayor for the City of Tshwane. “We view this as a humanitarian collaboration with various stakeholders coming together for one common goal of providing housing to underprivileged members of our society,” added Williams.
Building homes, bringing hope
Habitat for Humanity is a non-governmental, and non-profit organisation that operates in more than 70 countries around the world with the aim of “bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope”.
“We are committed to working towards a South Africa where everyone has a decent place to live,” said Cyrus Watuku, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity South Africa.
“Our partnership with Nissan SA and the City of Tshwane has enabled us to move closer to that goal through the Ga-Rankuwa project, where 74 families have settled and begun building strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter.
“Through the project, our target is to assist a total of 200 families’ in gaining access to housing opportunities that will allow the individuals and the Ga-Rankuwa community thrive and live dignified lives,” Watuku said.
Mesatywa concurred, saying Habitat for Humanity’s ongoing efforts were well aligned with Nissan’s own support of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), most notably SDG 11, which is about “sustainable cities and communities”.
“At Nissan South Africa, we are committed to real social and economic development. We believe that everyone should enjoy the comfort and security that owning your own home brings. It is our privilege to have a role to play in turning what is one of the most basic human rights into a reality for the beneficiaries of the Nissanda project,” he said.
