The launch of the Thorn Tree East and View Mega Housing Development has signalled a major step forward in addressing housing demand in northern Tshwane, with the project expected to deliver thousands of housing opportunities while unlocking future growth through large-scale infrastructure investment.

The development, recently launched by the Tshwane Metro, will provide more than 7 000 first home finance housing opportunities, over 7 500 serviced residential stands, 1 200 high-rise RDP housing units, student accommodation, educational facilities, and business development opportunities.

The project also includes bulk infrastructure upgrades designed to support future developments in the area and an upgrade of the Hebron Provincial Road, aimed at easing traffic congestion and improving connectivity for residents.

The launch comes at a time when the metro is reshaping its approach to housing delivery across northern Tshwane.

While many residents continue to associate housing programmes with the construction of government-subsidised houses, the municipality has confirmed that its role has shifted significantly in recent years.

The metro is now primarily responsible for preparing land and installing essential infrastructure such as roads, water and sewer networks, while the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements is responsible for funding and constructing housing units.

This model is already being implemented in several communities, including Winterveldt, Soshanguve, Mabopane, Ga-Rankuwa and Hammanskraal.

MMC for Human Settlements Alderman Aaron Maluleka said housing development remained one of the metro’s key priorities.

“The handover underscores the metro’s commitment to restoring dignity, security and economic opportunity through homeownership.

“Beyond providing proof of ownership, title deeds enable residents to build generational wealth, unlock access to finance and invest with confidence in their properties and communities,” said Maluleka.

Since December 2025, the metro has registered 800 title deeds through its restoration programme.

However, officials acknowledge that substantial challenges remain, with 1 536 title deeds still outstanding in New Eersterus alone.

The Thorn Tree East and View development is expected to play a significant role in the metro’s broader strategy to expand access to serviced land while creating integrated communities that combine housing, education, business, and transport infrastructure.

The project aligns with the metro’s growing emphasis on serviced stands as a foundation for future housing delivery.

According to the metro, insufficient funding remains one of the biggest obstacles to expanding housing opportunities.

While the municipality funds and installs infrastructure, housing unit construction is financed through the Human Settlements Development Grant administered by the provincial government.

Several infrastructure projects are already underway across northern Tshwane to support future housing development.

To support these initiatives, the municipality has allocated over R416-million towards Human Settlements capital projects during the 2026/27 financial year.

More than R152-million of that amount will be invested in water, sewer and road infrastructure across northern Tshwane.

The metro is also intensifying efforts to improve living conditions in informal settlements through its recently approved Informal Settlement Management Policy.

The policy focuses on expanding access to engineering services, improving safety, strengthening tenure rights and creating sustainable communities.

Through the Upgrading of Informal Settlements Programme, residents are expected to receive permanent serviced stands while services are introduced incrementally.

Current upgrading projects are underway in Soshanguve South Extension 29, Ga-Rankuwa Units 23 and 25, Kopanong Extension 2, Mabopane Extension 13, Stinkwater Extension 10, Leeuwfontein, Kameeldrift, Bhubesini, Phumekaya, Rethabiseng, Marikana and Riverwalk.

Soshanguve resident Thembi Mogaila said communities were eager to see housing projects move beyond infrastructure installation and into actual home construction.

“It is encouraging to hear that infrastructure is finally being installed because that is the first step towards housing.

“But many of us have been waiting for years, and we hope the province can now move quickly to build the houses once the serviced stands are ready,” she said.

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