The Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and Human Settlements, Paul Mashatile, has committed to building 50 000 housing units during the current financial year. Tabling the department’s budget of R5.9 billion on Tuesday, MEC Mashatile said the department was at various stages of planning and implementation at least six big city developments across the province.
These include Boiketlong and Vaal River City in the Southern Corridor, Fort West in the Northern Corridor, Leeuwpoort in the Eastern Corridor, Lanseria City in the Central Corridor, Alex City in the Central Corridor, Syferfontein City in the Western Corridor and Savannah City in the Southern Corridor.
R100 million has been allocated in this current financial year for the detailed planning phase two of Syferfontein City and R100 million for bulk infrastructure in Savannah City. “Collectively, these Big Cities Mega Projects will yield more than 11 273 houses and 5 689 serviced stands in the 2016/17 financial year. The housing yield from the big city developments will form part of the 50 000 target of completed houses set for the 2016/17 financial year alone,” the MEC said.
To address the financial challenges associated with the new approach to developing human settlements, MEC Mashatile said the department will establish strategic partnerships with the private sector to implement its human settlement projects, including the mega projects.
He acknowledged that land availability remained a challenge and the department was hoping to unlock it by implementing the protocol signed with the Housing Development Agency (HAD) to identify and hold land for development.
The focus in this financial year, he said, will be to bring the beneficiary administration system in line with the commitment to a people-centred development approach, which includes addressing the numerous complaints that have been received about the system.
