19 May 2026

Some former employees of the BCL mine have embraced the rent-to-buy arrangement under the Bonno Housing Scheme, which allows them to purchase the houses that the government acquired from the BCL mine liquidator. 

The employees said this on recently when commenting on the rent-to-buy arrangement opportunity that was said by the Minister of Water and Human Settlement, Mr Onneetse Ramogapi, during a meeting with BCL mine former employees. 

The purpose of the meeting was to give an update regarding the disposal of former BCL houses and to clarify and share concerns pertaining to the disposal exercise. 

Mr Ramogapi announced that after completing the re-evaluation process and other related necessities, those eligible might have the opportunity to take part in a rent-to-buy programme. 

One former employee, Mr Henry Seponono, said the arrangement was a beacon of hope and a second chance at rebuilding their lives. 

He said it would allow former employees to gradually work towards permanent home ownership, something he had feared would never become possible after the mine closure. 

Mr Pilato Tjengwe stated that the arrangement was commendable, especially considering that some former employees had been facing financial difficulties, which would make paying the full amount once-off challenging. 

He said the opportunity was not only for them to have roofs over their heads but was an investment into their families’ future and was a symbol of resilience in the face of the hardship they had endured. 

Mr Kabo Samuel expressed similar feelings regarding the situation. He said that the rent-to-buy opportunity could play a significant role in providing a pathway to homeownership and empowering individuals and families to regain a sense of stability and pride in their living circumstances. ENDS