Duduza – Paul Mashatile, Lindiwe Sisulu and other dignitaries launched the John Dube Mega Human Settlements Project near Duduza in Ekurhuleni.
The 1 500 seat marquee reached full capacity in a matter of minutes as prospective home owners came to hear about the new development.
Mashatile, Gauteng MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs and Human Settlements, says the project aims to celebrate the life of John Langalibalele Dube.
John Dube was the first president of the African National Congress (ANC) in 1912.
“This is a mega project,” says Mashatile.
The precinct will boast low-cost, bonded and middle income housing.
He believes the metro’s goal to build 100 000 houses in five years will be a reality.
“We are allocating stands with services as well.”
He emphasised that the community must comply with the criteria.
“Don’t call people from Limpopo and Mpumalanga – they will get houses.We want to prioritise you!”
He says the community needs to work with the metro to avoid people benefiting unduly.
“Ilanga libalele namhlanje – the sun is rising in the East,” exclaimed Gauteng Premier David Makhura
“The city has put resources aside to make sure that people who have been waiting receive. These houses are for local people.”
Makhuru added that they will be doing things differently now.
“We are no longer building 100 houses here and 100 there. Some people applied in 1996 and they are still waiting.”
He acknowledged that Ekurhuleni was lagging behind other metros.
“We had a huge backlog but now we have to catch up! John Dube is not just about housing.
“We have a university.”
Makhura says there will be many resources channelled into educating young people.
“We want to have campuses all over Ekurhuleni. John Dube has arrived!”
Minster of human settlements Lindiwe Sisulu said, “From now on when we speak of John Dube, I will think of you, living in your houses.”
She encouraged young people to take full advantage of the construction process.
“Come to learn at the sites – learn trades and skills.”
Sisulu added that the precinct will have seven primary schools and three secondary schools.
