POLOKWANE – A R300 million housing project of the department of cooperative governance, human settlements and traditional affairs (Coghsta) in Extension 100 in Bendor, Polokwane, resumed last Thursday after being on hold for eight years.
The 661-unit project was abandoned in 2007 when foreign affairs minister, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane was the housing MEC in the province.
Coghsta MEC, Makoma Makhurupetje, said the delay was caused by the long process to acquire the land. Makhurupetje said the R900 million that was withheld by the national treasury affected the project. “Now the project is recommencing after we gave the go ahead to Mabone Building, the contractor appointed for the installation of electricity as well as the building and marketing of the houses. The project is in line with the national and provincial housing policies, and aimed at creating housing opportunities for employed people in the GAP housing market. Qualifying beneficiaries will be entitled to a Finance Linked Individual Subsidy Programme (FLISP) subsidy from the government,” she said.
The 661-unit project, with a rental component, is in close proximity to employment, education, business opportunities and other social amenities that will benefit the residents.
“The units will include rented, bonded, FLISP and luxury units. The project duration is 48 months. Commercial banks already expressed an interest in providing loans to qualifying clients. We have already spent more than R60 million in the project. The townhouses differ in size to suit a wide spectrum of future clients,” Makhurupetje added.
She further said the Polokwane Municipality would provide pre-paid electricity to future residents. Water, sewerage and refuse collection points would be part of the service from the municipality, for which owners would receive monthly accounts, she explained.
“Potential clients can complete database registration forms at Coghsta or the Polokwane Municipality. This project will break the apartheid system of isolating the poor and the rich. Government is here to subsidise. Projects like this will also come into being in areas such as Musina and Tubatse where the influx of people is high,” Makhurupetje said.
Polokwane mayor, Thembi Nkadimeng, said this housing project was for people who were too poor to qualify for a housing bond but too well off to qualify for an RDP house.
