Over 3 500 new houses to be built in Thembisa Ext 25
At least 500 new housing units are expected to be completed by June.
The new multi-million Rand Thembisa Ext 25 housing project will yield 3 510 housing units.
Of these units, 3 159 are RDP walk-ups and the remaining 351 social-housing units. The units are to be built as four-storey walk-ups.
The City of Ekurhuleni hosted a sod-turning ceremony at the site on February 26 with executive mayor Clr Mzwandile Masina and several other senior officials.
Masina said the occasion was one of the proudest for the administration of the City of Ekurhuleni. It is the realisation of a promise they made.
“It is an event that marks the turning point for the Winnie Mandela community that will, finally, have a dignified place to call home.
“Commencing our term of office in 2016, we outlined a radical programme of action to advance a pro-poor agenda. I call this programme radical because the things that it sought to achieve in a space of five years are massive. Among the outcomes that we committed ourselves to achieving is the construction of 100 000 housing units,” Masina said.
“The Thembisa X 25 project is one of our city’s mega housing projects,” continued Masina.
“This project aims to create well-designed, sustainable and integrated human settlements, which will enhance the value of property ownership. We do not only seek to ensure that our people have houses to live in, we seek to also ensure that the space around them is fit for human habitat.
“Within the settlement, provision has been made for public open spaces, community facilities, which include schools, a library and transportation networks,” added Masina.
The construction of bulk services commenced in May 2018 and was complete in June 2019. This included the construction of water reticulation, sewer reticulation, stormwater infrastructure, electrical infrastructure and road networks.
The urban settlements development grant budget for services on the project was adjusted during the budget adjustment process from R30-million to just a little under R60-million.
The first phase of the top structures consist of 500 units which will be constructed using alternative building technology which will help to expedite the delivery of the units by June.
“Houses built using this technology are 10 to 20 per cent cheaper than conventional houses but still deliver on quality. In addition to this, the technology is more environmentally friendly,” said MMC for human settlements Lesiba Mpya.
“Two contractors have been appointed for the construction of the first phase of 500 units and the site was handed over to them. The remaining units and bulk link on the project are scheduled to be implemented in phases and construction is set to spread over several financial years, ending in 2024,” said Mpya.
The Gauteng Department of Human Settlements gazetted R97.6-million for the project, enabling the metro to proceed with the construction of the first 500 units.
