“It is in your hands, to make a better world for all who live in it.” Nelson Mandela
The extreme weather conditions affecting our country recently have resulted in devastating destruction, not only to infrastructure and provincial economies, but most importantly have detrimentally affected the communities living in these weather-torn areas.
Following the floods that hit the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and Eastern Cape (EC) Provinces back in April 2022, the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs declared a national state of disaster. The floods claimed the lives of 459 people, with 80 missing. Over 12 000 homes were completely or partially destroyed, leaving 40 000 people homeless.
Old Mutual, through the Old Mutual Foundation’s Humanitarian Disaster Relief unit, heeded the call for assistance. In August 2022, the Board of Trustees of the Foundation in South Africa approved an extraordinary drawdown amount of R30 million towards the rebuilding of KZN.
The funds were earmarked for building 80 permanent houses and 25 temporary shelters (only when necessary) in eThekwini, Zululand (Edumbe and Ulundi), uThukela (OKhahlamba), ILembe (Ndwedwe) and the King Cetshwayo (Umhlathuze) Municipalities in KZN. The selection of areas for intervention in KZN was guided by a comprehensive disaster damage assessment, as well as considerations of poverty and rural vulnerability.
On 30 July 2024, the Old Mutual Foundation’s Humanitarian and Disaster Support unit, in collaboration with its 20-year-long strategic partner and implementing agent, Habitat for Humanity South Africa, proudly handed over another ten new homes to the community in the Ulundi Local Municipality in Ward 1, KZN. This was part of its ongoing KZN House Rebuild Intervention programme to help rebuild and restore the lives and dignity of affected KZN communities. Other strategic partners involved in this project include the Department of Human Settlements, Ulundi Local Municipality, Zululand District Municipality and the National Home Builders Regulatory Council.
The handover ceremony was held at Ward 1, Mantungwini area next to Philibane Primary School and attended by; the Ulundi Local Municipality; Executive Mayor Cllr. W.M. Ntshangase; Portfolio Chairperson, Cllr. S.M Khuzwayo and Municipal Manager, Mr S. Khomo and his team; Zululand District Municipality Speaker; Councillor Memela; National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) KZN Provincial Manager, Ms. M. Nong; Daphney Ngoasheng, National Director of Habitat for Humanity South Africa and her team; Bamba Ubukhosi was represented by Induna M. Mlotshwa; Old Mutual CEO, Social Investment Cluster, N. Zulu; Old Mutual Provincial Regional Manager, B. Ngcobo and the beneficiaries with their families.
Old Mutual’s Social Investment Executive, Zulu commented: “In extending our support to flood-affected families in KZN, we reaffirm our belief in the power of collective action and the importance of solidarity in times of crisis. As we continue to navigate these challenging times together, the Old Mutual remains committed to standing shoulder-to-shoulder with communities in need, offering hope, resilience and a brighter future for all. None of this could be possible without the support of organisations like Habitat for Humanity South Africa and our relationships with the municipalities and people in these areas. As a responsible and caring organisation, all we can hope for is to make a meaningful difference and stand true to our purpose of championing mutually positive futures every day.”
Old Mutual and Habitat for Humanity South Africa have a long-standing valued partnership that has spanned twenty years. During this period, Old Mutual has contributed to building over 140 homes, more than any other corporate.
Ms Daphney Ngoasheng, National Director of Habitat for Humanity South Africa said: “Former President Nelson Mandela dedicated his life to championing human rights and combating social injustices. We are grateful for the support and participation of everyone. When you get involved as a volunteer, you become part of the community and do something truly transformative that creates intergenerational change for the families benefiting from these homes, #WeAreNotDoneYet”
In conclusion, Zulu commented: “The last two-and-a-half years have underlined that major social issues cannot be tackled alone. It is only through partnerships and alliances that real and impactful progress can be made in uplifting the socio-economic status of those afflicted by natural disasters, poverty, unemployment, inequality and exclusion. We are extremely grateful for the partnership we have with Habitat for Humanity. By transforming hardships into hope, obstacles into opportunities and tribulation into triumph, together with the communities in which we operate, we believe that we can all do great things.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
About the Old Mutual Foundation (OMF)
The Old Mutual Foundation is the social investment arm of Old Mutual Limited and drives inclusive, transformative and sustainable economic development. Its key focus areas are education as well as humanitarian and disaster risk reduction. This includes responding effectively, within the required national and international frameworks, to save lives, create awareness, reduce the impact of disasters, build resilience among vulnerable communities and foster strategic relationships with relevant stakeholders. Through the work of the Old Mutual Foundation and strategic partners, Old Mutual has provided crucial humanitarian aid to over 10 000 households in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape provinces, devastated by extreme weather. Emphasising the need for resilient, disaster-prepared communities in the face of climate change. Old Mutual aims to ensure that its interventions are targeted, impactful, and sustainable in the long-term.
About Habitat for Humanity
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. Habitat South Africa’s advocacy approach seeks to improve the lives of people in need of decent shelter by influencing systems, improving policies and promoting laws and behaviours that allow people access to decent housing. Their advocacy methodology is built around a People Public Private Partnership model, which leads to strong partnerships between citizens, the government, the private sector and civil society, to ultimately achieve integrated and sustainable human settlements.
For enquires
Old Mutual: JULIE HUTCHINS / E: [email protected] / C. +27 (0)72 5537366
Habitat for Humanity South Africa E: [email protected]/ C. 021 207 3126
