After five years of manual labor, 58-year-old Madoda Ntshaba has completed a two-bedroom house with a garage in the Lakeview informal settlement in Ennerdale, Johannesburg. Using rocks excavated from his own yard and debris salvaged from illegal dumping sites, Ntshaba funded the construction with a R370 government grant and his wife’s income as a domestic worker, according to his own account.
How the house was constructed
Ntshaba, who began the project in 2019 after losing his job as a car guard, utilized materials scavenged from his surroundings. According to Ntshaba, he separated rubble into building materials, used soft remnants of bricks for sand, and personally wired the entire structure. The home now features water access, Wi-Fi, and two solar panels, which he installed to avoid the dangers associated with illegal electricity connections in the settlement.
Did You Know?
Ntshaba relied entirely on manual labor for the construction, explicitly stating that he never hired outside help, using his own calloused hands to process every piece of concrete and brick used in the walls.
Community and social impact
Neighbors Mavis Maluleke and Thandi Mdlalose, who initially viewed the project with skepticism, now describe Ntshaba as a talented activist and neighborhood patroller. According to the two women, Ntshaba frequently resolves domestic disputes in the area and has become a source of local pride. While many residents in the settlement built homes using conventional brick and mortar, Ntshaba’s commitment to his self-built structure has earned him recognition as a dedicated community member.
Future plans for the residence
Ntshaba intends to transform a portion of his yard into a museum and monument to educate the youth on South African history. He plans to display images related to the 1976 Soweto Uprising and the violent clashes between the ANC and IFP, events he says motivated his desire for independence. As he approaches age 60, Ntshaba stated his goal is to transition from heavy construction to maintaining his yard and teaching local residents about the country’s past.
Expert Insight:
The project highlights the significant trade-offs between time and capital for residents in informal settlements. While Ntshaba’s five-year timeline was dictated by a lack of transport—he noted that owning a bakkie would have halved his construction time—his approach effectively bypassed the financial barriers of formal housing markets. His focus on solar power and internal wiring suggests a move toward self-reliance that contrasts with the systemic infrastructure challenges often cited in informal settlements.
Frequently Asked Questions
How was the construction of the house funded?
Ntshaba used his R370 government grant to purchase cement and other necessary supplies, while his wife’s salary as a domestic worker supported the family’s daily needs during the five-year building process.
What materials were used to build the home?
The house was constructed from rocks dug out of the yard, rubble collected from dumping sites, and salvaged bricks that were processed by hand.
Why did Ntshaba choose to use solar power?
He stated that he avoids illegal electricity connections, which he described as dangerous, noting that children in the area have been electrocuted by such connections in the past.
What role does personal initiative play in changing living conditions within informal settlements?
