The Gauteng Provincial Government has outlined plans to develop “mega” human settlements.
Gauteng Premier David Makhura said on Friday: “We don’t just want to build a few houses everywhere; we will build mega human settlements of between 15,000 and 20,000 [units] using consolidated housing grants from central government.
“These cities won’t only be where people live, but will be an [entire] economy, with places of work and a transport network.”
The province planned to spend R94-billion on infrastructure in the coming three years. The province was collaborating with the private sector and the City of Johannesburg on the Masingita City, Rietfontein, Waterfall City, Modderfontein City and Steyn City developments to “radically” change the spatial landscape of the central corridor.
The R3-billion Masingita City development, in the south of Soweto, starting in March, was an integrated commercial and industrial hub that would create 15,500 jobs during construction and 10,000 jobs during its full operation.
The R20-billion Rietfontein project was a complete mixed-use node with more than 8,000 proposed residential units, including commercial property, distribution and warehousing, retail and education facilities. This development could create 17,000 jobs.
The R71-billion Waterfall City in Midrand, would create an estimated 100,000 jobs, while Modderfontein City was expected to inject R84-billion into the economy of the Gauteng City Region (GCR) and create 150,000 jobs over the next 20 years.
“Our partnership with the private sector and the City of Johannesburg has also injected R6.5-billion into Steyn City. Phase 2 will inject over R50-billion into the economy of the GCR,” Makhura said.
“[We celebrate] our genuine partnership with the private sector because this is key for job creation and growth,” he noted.
