NDWEDWE, KwaZulu — Natal – President Cyril Ramaphosa commenced his State of the Nation (SONA) address in Cape Town on February 12, 2026, with a smile, but his focus soon turned to the past as he addressed the launch of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Housing programme in Ndwedwe. The President emphasized the significance of the TRC in unlocking a process that remains crucial for South Africa’s progression. Ndwedwe was a fitting location for the launch, as it is marked by the widespread destruction of homes during the apartheid era.
Ramaphosa highlighted the Constitution’s obligation on the state to take reasonable measures to progressively realize everyone’s right to adequate housing. He revealed that as of March 2026, 220 beneficiaries in Ndwedwe had been approved for the programme. “The symbolic cheques that are being handed over today represent R40 million in cumulative assistance being provided to the verified beneficiaries to build a home or improve their existing homes, “he stated.
The President expressed the government’s commitment to ensuring that the programme provides some justice for communities still bearing the cost of apartheid. He emphasized that the process is not just about rebuilding homes but also about healing the deep divisions left by apartheid.
Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi echoed these sentiments at the launch event. She explained that the government’s housing reparations programme aims to rebuild homes and heal the divisions caused by apartheid. “In many instances, entire communities were targeted and wiped out, leaving families homeless simply because they were seen as supporting the struggle for freedom, “she.
Source: enca
