Soweto residents are set to experience a substantial change in their housing conditions, as the City of Johannesburg embarks on the ambitious Soweto Gateway Project. This Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) initiative aims to provide homes for over 50,000 applicants from the 1996/1997 application window who have long awaited allocation due to a growing citywide backlog. Mlungisi Mabaso, the City of Joburg’s Member of the Mayoral Committee for Human Settlements, has identified this project as a critical step in addressing the needs of vulnerable residents in the community.
“There are more than 35,000 applicants from 1996 and over 15,000 from 1997 who still have not been allocated their RDP houses,” he highlighted. This significant backlog has led the city to prioritise these deserving applicants following the acquisition of a parcel of land specifically designated for developing residential units. The Soweto Gateway Project boasts an estimated investment value of R3.2 billion and exemplifies the city’s commitment to enhancing mixed-use residential units in Region D.
Mabaso emphasised that “this property was donated to the government to develop houses for the destitute,” signifying the importance of delivering on the promises made to distressed communities. With this in mind, the Department of Human Settlements has firmly rejected a private development proposal that did not prioritise the interests of 1996 and 1997 applicants.
“We are not opposed to any form of development,” Mabaso stated, “but we must stay true to our commitment to supporting those who have been waiting for decades.” This announcement arrives on the heels of growing discontent among residents in Dlamini, Soweto, who recently expressed their frustration with the proposed Informal Settlement Policy during a stakeholder engagement session.
Many voiced their concerns that the city was simply adding to the bureaucratic delays without delivering actual homes. “We’ve waited for years, some of us for decades, for the RDP houses we were promised. We don’t need more policies — we need houses,” asserted one resident, encapsulating the collective sentiment echoed by many. In light of criticisms surrounding the city’s approach to housing, Mabaso assured residents that the city is pursuing various development projects; among these is the R27 billion Southern Farms project in Region G, which promises to create both housing and economic opportunities on a grand scale.
“Most of the people from the 1996 and 1997 eras are in Soweto, and so we are purposely directing development initiatives toward them,” Mabaso explained. He also noted that the plan needs to incorporate nearby hostels, ensuring that their residents are included in this redevelopment surge. With the city moving forward at this pivotal juncture, residents can only hope that the Soweto Gateway Project serves as a beacon of hope for those who have long awaited their chance at proper housing in a community known for its rich history and culture.
Pictures: Sourced from JOSCHO X Account
