President Cyril Ramaphosa said government wants to build homes closer to jobs, schools and clinics. He spoke on Thursday at a milestone event for the Cornubia Integrated Human Settlement Project in eThekwini.
The President said this plan is needed to undo apartheid planning. That system pushed black communities into townships far from where the work was.
“We have sought to build not just houses, but human settlements. We have sought to build integrated neighbourhoods, where residents have what they need to live comfortable lives,” he said.
According to the President, these settlements put homes, schools, clinics, shops, parks and transport in one area. He said people from different income groups can also live in the same neighbourhood. He added that this cuts the time and money workers spend travelling to work.
Ramaphosa said government has delivered more than five million housing opportunities since 1994. He said census figures show that households in formal homes rose from 65% in 1996 to more than 88% in 2022.
He admitted that many people still need homes. Nearly four million people are on the national housing needs register, he said. “Yet the need remains great,” the President said. He named population growth and fast growth of cities as reasons for the demand.
The President said government is trying new ways to deliver housing. These include more affordable housing, fixing commuter rail and releasing well placed public land for homes. He said a new model will give subsidies for both owning and renting homes in suitable areas. He also said government is working to restart stalled housing projects, so people are not left waiting for homes they were promised.
According to SAnews, Cornubia covers more than 1 300 hectares. It includes Solomon Mahlangu Primary School, shops, sports facilities, a multi-purpose hall and a clinic. There is also space set aside for early childhood development and transport.
The government said the wider Cornubia development is expected to house more than 110 000 people over the next 10 to 15 years. Its plan also includes more schools, clinics, libraries, community halls, places of worship and police stations.
Building Phase I of the Cornubia Business Park has created about 300 jobs, according to SAnews. The government said the full project is expected to create more than 2 000 jobs.
“eThekwini is a rising star in attracting investment into KwaZulu-Natal. And with investment comes new economic opportunity for our people,” Ramaphosa said.
He said cheaper homes near jobs matter because many families are struggling with high living and transport costs. He called for faster building and said construction problems and other delays must be sorted out. “To get there, we need to work faster, better and smarter,” he said.
The President said local people should share in the work, including building, maintenance and running community facilities. “We are determined that this must be done through transparent processes. We will not allow corruption, extortion or patronage,” he said.
Ramaphosa said municipalities must look after infrastructure, provide basic services and stand firm against construction mafias. “My message to incoming councillors is clear. Listen to communities and treat them as partners. Because it is through partnership that we make progress,” he said.
He also urged residents to vote in the local government elections, which are set for 4 November.
Source: this article is based on reporting by SAnews.gov.za. Image: GCIS via SAnews.gov.za. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice News desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Kgomotso Maake covers news and politics for Tzaneen Voice. Kgomotso reports on government, Parliament, municipalities, courts, crime and service delivery across South Africa, with a close eye on how national decisions reach towns like Tzaneen and the wider Limpopo province. Stories are written in plain English and focus on the facts: who made the decision, what it means, and what happens next.