25 Nov 2015

Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Lands and Housing, Mr Thato Raphaka, says Dulux company has shown compassion and caring towards the people of Old Naledi by painting their houses.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of Lets Colour Old Naledi project, Mr Raphaka said Dulux had done a commendable job in line with the Vision 2016 pillar of a compassionate, just and caring nation.

He said the company used more than P1 million for the project that also benefitted the youth who were hired to do the job. 

Mr Raphaka noted that Dulux also displayed the ability of empowering the youth as it trained 105 youth, adding that 73 were youth from Old Naledi whereas 32 of them were from the Chobe area.

Furthermore, Mr Raphaka said 42 of the trained youth managed to get jobs within the painting field. 

He highlighted that with the Economic Stimulus Programme, the youth who gained painting skills from the training will again benefit from the projects such as classrooms, clinics and houses which will be done as painting will be also needed.

Meanwhile Dulux general manager, Mr Wellington Murambiwa, said the project started four years ago. 

He said the aim was to create a rejuvenated atmosphere to the people of Old Naledi  by painting their houses.

He stated that Dulux was proud to give back to the community through painting houses of Old Naledi and to bring upon comfort and social upliftment to them.

He also noted that they gave some of the youth the opportunity to be trained so that they could start their own businesses and hire others.

In his remarks, the chief of Old Naledi, Kgosi Somolekae, told the residents to take care of their houses as it will reflect the good work done by Dulux Company. 

He said cleaning ensured good health and a safer environment to live in. 

He applauded the good work done by the Dulux Company on his area.

The Lets color Old Naledi begun in March 2011 with the aim of giving the old Naledi community a good ambience. 

The project is two in one which consists of painting and training. About 1800 houses in Old Naledi have been painted by the Dulux Company so far. Ends