Residents handed keys to new Marabastad homes

On April 10, Minister for Human Settlements, Mmamoloko Kubayi and her deputy Pam Tshwete gave the approved tenants keys to their new Marabastaad Townlands Housing Project homes.

The 1 200-unit multimillion-rand mixed-use complex is the largest social housing development in South Africa.

Other stakeholders at the opening included Housing Company Tshwane (HCT), the Social Housing Regulatory Authority (SHRA) and metro officials, including MMC for human settlements Ofentse Madzebatela and ward 58 councillor Conride Ngoveni.

“If you ask people from Tshwane about Marabastad, it has a demeaning reputation of sorts because it’s where you got to get cheap or knock-off products and things like that,” Kubayi said.

“Today, we are redefining Marabastad. When you talk about transforming the Apartheid landscape and legacy, it’s about transforming our places to give dignity to our people.

Today, we are giving dignity to Marabastad to say that it’s a place that has beautiful homes that are secured and affordable, that all of us can live in.”

She said the department is motivated by the opening as it brings social housing goals closer, making rural and urban areas the same and providing affordable housing that is not decaying.

Kubayi said that subsidiaries give residents who can’t afford their own house a rental space they can use which is closer to the opportunities of the CBD.

The minister encouraged residents not to look at the townlands as a permanent solution but as a stepping stone to home ownership.

Kubayi called on tenants and the government to work together to create and maintain additional projects of this nature.

“I’m going to appeal to you for us to be able to create this opportunity for many South Africans; it needs you to play your part. When we work together as government and communities, we’ll be able to do more. We’ll be able to build more social housing projects.

We have another three that are coming. This should be a success to make the others succeed,” Kubayi continued.

Madzebatela said that the townlands would go a long way in setting up the capital city.

“The apartheid spatial planning was a disadvantage to our people because it put them away from economic opportunities and they had to travel far to have access to them,” she said.

“In 2017, we made a conscious decision as a council to use HCT to address the issues of spatial planning and ensure that we get people into areas where they’d be able to access social and governmental opportunities. Hence, we are finally here today.”

HCT chairperson Portia Tau-Sekati said that the opening marks a significant milestone for the company and is filled with pride at the work done.

She also addressed the challenges that the project has faced, which led to numerous delays.

“The question is lingering in many of our minds: ‘Could this project have been completed sooner? The truth is yes, this road to this momentous occasion has been filled with a lot of challenges that have seemed to pile up day by day, month by month and year by year. Our path to this achievement has not been easy. We’ve encountered numerous challenges, some minor and some significant,” Tau-Sekati said.

Tau-Sekati said the project was a huge undertaking for HCT with limited resources – navigating budget constraints, contractor performance and the Covid-19 pandemic were also challenges.

“Today, as we witness the fruition of our efforts, it fills me with inspiration as well as the impact that this housing project will have on the lives of ordinary people. It’s not just about the shelter. It’s about restoring dignity and hope. It’s about creating a haven for families to thrive and for children to dream,” she said.

SHRA council member Jacob Khawe said the authority would continue to approve funding to ensure that government’s commitment is achieved.

“If local, provincial and national government works together, such projects will be realised. If we commit ourselves outside political boundaries and egos – just to development – we will deliver to the people of South Africa. I commend you for working together,” Khawe said.

He also spoke about the struggles the project encountered.

“Like many other projects, this one did not go smoothly. It had its own challenges. We want to thank the councillor and the local leadership for this,” Khawe said.

Ward 58 councillor Conride Ngoveni said that the opening proves that the government can deliver.

“This project was championed and completed by women and we thank you. Let’s take care of this facility. This is ours, it’s all ours, so let’s take care of it and pay our rent on time,” Ngoveni said.

Tenant Irene Chale, who used to live with her mother and 16-year-old son, thanked the role players for the project.

“I’m so happy about this. It’s a great opportunity for me. At first, I couldn’t even afford to rent and I used to live with my parents. At least now, I’ll be able to take care of my son, balance my studies and also work,” Chale said.

Chale is fourth year Unisa social work student.

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