Builders honoured for South Africa project

A group of builders from across Ireland have been honoured for constructing houses in one of the poorest townships of South Africa.

Up to 150 builders built three houses a day for 10 days replacing shanty homes in Imizamo Yehto.

Builder Niall Mellon donated €2m to set up the project and Tipperary Developer Paddy Kelly invested €1m.

Mr Mellon has said the average person in South Africa lives in a 9 foot by 9 shack and like a lot of people he decided to spend his holiday improving the living conditions for the population over there.

The civic reception was held in Dublin.