President Cyril Ramaphosa and Gauteng premier David Makhura, launched the R30 billion Mooikloof Mega residential City project in Pretoria on Sunday. This infrastructure development project is the outcome of a public-private partnership between Balwin Properties, the Gauteng provincial government, and Tshwane Metro.
The R30 billion infrastructure development project is situated east of the capital. Once completed the project would have about 50,000 apartments. The president said his administration was now focusing on implementation.
“Once completed, the Mooikloof Mega City may end up becoming the world’s largest sectional property development, with land also earmarked for schools, shops and offices. It is pleasing to note the development is being pursued in line with green building principles, and will make optimal use of green belts and green spaces for residential recreation.” Ramaphosa said.
The president said he was grateful to launch the development, saying it was something that would help push back against apartheid design that relegated many people to the periphery.
“While a minority lived in comfort and security with access to centers of commercial activity, the black majority were confined to townships that served as labour reserves. In the rural parts of our country this was even worse, with the under-developed Bantustans existing alongside more affluent so-called white South Africa,” the president said.
The multibillion-rand development east of the city has been designed to bridge the long-standing gap among different social classes.
“We continue to feel the effects of apartheid spatial design in what may be termed the 40/40/40 principle. This means that most people are housed 40 kilometers from employment opportunities.
“As a result, they spend over 40 minutes travelling to and from work, and spend over 40% of their incomes on transport expenses. In many cases those affected are the poor who live in 40m2 houses.” Ramaphosa said.
