Heartfelt celebrations marked the official handover of houses at the Dr Sefularo Housing Project on Thursday, June 4, led by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements Tasneem Motara.

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The event marked the completion of the first phase of the project, with qualifying beneficiaries receiving keys to their new homes.

According to Mogale City Local Municipality (MCLM) senior communications practitioner Tendani Shavani, 70 beneficiaries from Ward 32 officially received two-bedroom houses fitted with solar geysers, plumbing and other essential services to support comfortable living.

The Department of Human Settlements indicated that gender, youth and persons with disabilities principles were considered during the allocation process to ensure vulnerable and previously disadvantaged groups benefit from government housing programmes.

Approved by the Mogale City Council in 2011, the development has faced several challenges over the years. As a greenfield project, the area had no existing infrastructure, requiring the municipality to first install bulk services before construction of the housing units commenced in 2024.

Once completed, the development will deliver a total of 190 two-bedroom houses, providing much-needed housing opportunities for qualifying residents.

According to MCLM Executive Mayor Lucky Sele, the development also includes bulk infrastructure investments to ensure sustainable service delivery. These include a 1 424-kilolitre elevated water storage tank, newly developed water and sewer reticulation networks, and a sewer package plant installed by the Department of Water and Sanitation.

The second phase of the project will deliver the remaining 120 two-bedroom housing units.

During the handover, Lesufi committed that funding would be made available to ensure the full completion of the project in line with approved development plans.