Christmas Return to Bethlehem

Staff reporter

Sasolburg – Free State MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) and Human Settlements, Zachariah Mokoena, is set to deliver what many describe as the best Christmas gift yet for the Bakenspark Extension 5 community in Bethlehem.

Bethlehem, the biblical birthplace of Jesus and KingDavid, is a Palestinian city in the {!nav}West Bank, just south of Jerusalem, famous for the Church oftheNativity and a major pilgrimage site for Christians,

At least 10 families are expected to receive new houses tomorrow, with a further 170 houses scheduled for completion by the end of June 2026. Mokoena revealed this during an interview with Thuso Motaung on Lesedi FM earlier today.

Proceedings start at 09h00, among first recipients is 83 year old Litsiki Tello.

The housing project, which was officially launched last Thursday, is estimated to cost around R370 million.

In October, Mokoena also committed to delivering a combined total of 262 houses to the communities of Qwaqwa and Thaba Nchu as part of the mud houses eradication programme. Construction on that project began on 1 November.

Sulky Mokoena to build 262 houses in Qwaqwa & Thaba Nchu

Over the past 12 months, Mokoena has intensified efforts to address service delivery challenges across the province — a move welcomed by many residents.

Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year to all our Christian readers.