Excitement and gratitude marked a significant milestone in Droogeheuwel as qualifying beneficiaries received the keys to their new homes at the Randfontein Mega City Development on March 25.

The official handover was led by Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements, Tasneem Motara, alongside Executive Mayor of the West Rand District Municipality, Alderman Dennis Thebe. The event was part of the government’s broader efforts to accelerate housing delivery and restore dignity to communities across the province.

Dozens of families, many of whom had spent years waiting for proper housing, were overcome with emotion as they stepped into their new homes for the first time. For beneficiaries, the moment symbolised more than just receiving a house; it marked the beginning of stability, security, and renewed hope.

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Addressing residents during the handover, Motara reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to delivering sustainable human settlements. She highlighted that developments such as the Randfontein Mega City are designed not only to provide housing but also to integrate essential services, economic opportunities and social infrastructure.

“The project that we are busy with here is for 5 000 housing units. The first phase has been completed with just over 1 000 housing units ready, and 120 are being handed over today to the community. More housing units will be allocated in the coming days,” Motara said.

Thebe echoed these sentiments, noting that partnerships between local and provincial governments are key to ensuring that projects of this scale are successfully implemented. He emphasised that the municipality remains committed to prioritising the needs of residents and ensuring that deserving beneficiaries receive access to adequate housing.

“This is not the last handover, as more houses are being completed, we will continue to allocate them. We encourage our people not to despair but to keep on having the hope that they will be allocated soon,” Thebe said.

One of the beneficiaries of the housing units, Lydia Motlhatlhedi, said she had been applying since 2001 to receive a house and was grateful to have finally received one.

“I feel so happy for this moment, and I didn’t think it would happen to me. The housing units look very beautiful; it’s like the housing units a person usually sees in Sandton,” said Motlhatlhedi.

It wasn’t all smiles for all the residents, though.

Ephraim Mokhobi, a resident of the Montrose Mega City Development in nearby Middelvlei, was among several community members who expressed concerns about the projects.

“We were allocated in 2023 and have not had electricity since. We do not have streets, and the houses are not properly demarcated. We are unable to do everyday household things because we are permanently without electricity,” he said.

Thebe addressed the small crowd, saying he has heard their concerns and will sit down with his team and Rand West City Mayor William Matsheke on how to address these issues. The Randfontein Mega City Development is expected to continue in phases, with more units to be completed and handed over in the near future as part of ongoing efforts to address the housing backlog in the region.

For the new homeowners, the handover signifies a life-changing moment, turning years of waiting into reality and opening the door to a brighter, more secure future.