Gauteng Department of Human Settlement, West Rand District Municipality, Rand West City Local Municipality and Gauteng Partnership Fund launched Affri-Village Mega City on Thursday (2 May) at Green hills, Randfontein.
Human Settlements, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) MEC Uhuru Moiloa said the launch continues to Magaliesburg, Tarlton and Mogale City. Companies such as Mwalima Holdings, Xanado Trade (JV) and Alliance Construction are in partnership for making Mega Project a success.
“Affri-Village Mega City provides job opportunities for over 800 people and brings opportunities to local sub-contractors. 1000 houses were completed and 84 unit blocks. This is an outstanding progress and performance that was made for 2018 to 2019. Affri-Village Mega City also provides various types of grant funding for the benefit of local and treasured beneficiaries as well as clients”, he said.
Moiloa said Mega projects promote socio-economic benefits and job opportunities closer to places of work therefore to create a healthy and vibrant household economy. He added that Mega also promotes mixed development of housing, social amenities, open spaces, economic commercial and industrial opportunities.
“The total residential units for Green hills Extension 12 are 2172 and total residential units for Affri-Village Mega project are 9880, which will be implemented in phases. Amongst beneficiaries from the projects who got houses include Rebecca Kopa aged 55. Kopa is a single parent with two daughters and has been living in Werwe-weg plot since 1987. She registered for the house since 1998. Another one is Mphikeleli Dhlamini aged 66 and is a pensioner staying with 3 children at a church. There are two daughters and one son who is at mental institute. One daughter is currently studying and facing fees and transportation challenges. The family depends on grant money and Dhlamini registered for a house in 1996”, said Moiloa.
Gauteng Partnership Fund (GPF) Board Member Tim Sukazi said 8 houses were handed-over and allocation process to others will follow.
“1 unit costs 230 000 investment and there is a lot of land to be developed. We assist Human Settlement department with money to build houses for the community to live well. West Rand should be repositioned and those who were disadvantaged be given power. Constructions should not fight for tenders but work together. Business owners should hire people therefore to create employment”, he said.
Sukazi added that the community should take care of the premises they are given. He said drugs should not be sold within the premise.
Moiloa added that the beneficiary administration and management looked at beneficiaries who registered for houses in 1996.
“In rural areas the administration delayed because there was no land available to build houses. We also prioritize people with disabilities, child-headed houses and elderly. Most beneficiaries are more than 60 years of age. There are disadvantaged and vulnerable people within the society, who are depended on the government’s social responsibility and we care for them”, said Moiloa.
