It was an emotional day as the beneficiaries of newly completed units at the City of Johannesburg’s South Hills development received their keys.
In a day that started early for Mayor Herman Mashaba and members from the City’s housing department, elderly women, who were beneficiaries of the housing development were picked up by the Mayor himself and transported to their new homes.
Some of the beneficiaries have remained on the housing waiting list since 1996.
The multi-billion rand development will yield a total of 6204 family and single occupation units once it is fully complete. The development is comprised of RDP, community residential units, bonded rental and social housing. The Johannesburg Social Housing Company (Joshco) is working on an affordability structure between R800 and R1200 for the community residential units.
“These are just some of the changes we are bringing to the City for the benefit of our residents. Unfortunately, there are those who would seek to prevent the change which the residents of our city have voted for. Today’s events was marred by attempted disruptions, orchestrated by the ANC in order to prevent today housing hand over. Indeed, the ANC attempted to incite violence and community unrest before the handover of the development,” Mashaba said.
Taking a direct swipe at the opposition party, Mashaba said “the lawlessness which is being promoted by the ANC must be condemned in the strongest terms. Once again the ANC has shown that is more concerned with their own political interests than ensuring that those who have been without a home since the beginning of South Africa’s democracy receive that which they deserve”, he added.
While warning against chaos, he acknowledged the community members’ right to protest peacefully.
He went on to highlight the strides the City is set to make in providing housing through the transformation of the inner city with the launch of the 71 Properties Prospectus. The initiative, which was launched earlier
this month is expected to change Johannebsurg’s skyline through job creation providing affordable social accommodation for residents within the inner city.
“Together with the ongoing support of our coalition partner, I will continue to work tirelessly to remain accountable on my promise to deliver social housing that instills dignity for residents of this City to live, work and play,” he concluded at the key hand over ceremony.
