Housing Minister launches Hlanganani Village at Ekurhuleni

Minister of Housing Dr Lindiwe Sisulu launched another housing initiative, Hlanganani Housing Village near Sharon Park in Springs, Ekurhuleni recently.

A brainchild of Standard Bank, the R700 million mixed residential housing project caters for people earning between R6 000 and R10 000. This housing project will house 4 000 families in what has been described as unique design features that would allow buyers to graduate from their homes or within their homes.

Accompanied by Gauteng Housing MEC Ms Nomvula Mokonyane and Ekurhuleni's Executive Mayor Duma Nkosi, Dr Sisulu applauded Standard Bank for taking a stride in an effort to change people's lives for the better.

The minister said "we inherited a huge infrastructure backlog complicated by high rates of unemployment and low income margins. The existence of the informal settlements is the greatest manifestation of the backlog signifying the need not only to accelerate the delivery of housing but also to make housing affordable."

"Therefore, Breaking New Ground strategy has been introduced to improve the accessibility of housing to the poor and removing bottlenecks within the government that impact on rapid delivery."

The minister commended her counterpart, Ms Mokonyane for ensuring that these housing projects have recreational parks, schools, fuel stations, taxi drop-off, private security and retail centers among other things.

While the minister was impressed with the name of this new development, Hlanganani which means unity in IsiZulu, she however, proposed that one of the streets should be named after former Safety and Security Minister Steve Tshwete who was born in Springs.

Ms Mokonyane said that she was proud to be part of this product because its aim is to improve the delivery of housing. However, she said beneficiaries must be able to be empowered with information and knowledge about maintaining these bonds so that people are not evicted from their properties.

Standard Bank's Director for Affordable Housing, Mr Linda Sing said there is a backlog of 675 000 homes in the mixed residential market. He added that the country needs 17 500 new homes annually in this sector to keep pace with the demand. Sing said that unfortunately they are aware that only 4 500 affordable homes are being built each year.