City of Johannesburg Human Settlements MMC, Cllr Mlungisi Mabaso has announced a comprehensive plan to revitalise spatial transformation, emergency housing and informal settlement upgrading projects across the City.
Speaking to Soweto Urban, Mabaso acknowledged the challenges faced by residents in areas such as Kliptown, where upgraded housing projects have been delayed.
He was informed that the project was stopped in 2023, immediately after they left the office.
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“The contractor left the site and there are no development activities underway in Kliptown, except for the construction of an access road,” Mabaso said.
“We are working on a mitigation strategy to resuscitate the project and we understand the frustration and suffering of our people, and we are committed to finding solutions,” Mabaso said.
Cllr Mabaso also outlined a comprehensive plan to tackle the City’s human settlements challenges, highlighting several key initiatives.
These include the development of Southern Farm, which has received a dedicated budget allocation.
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Additional funding will be sought from National Treasury to enhance infrastructure.
The Department will also support mega-projects in Midrand, expected to yield 80,000 units and complete the Riverside and South Hills developments.
Furthermore, plans are underway to expand and integrate Fleurhof with Meadowlands Hostel thus upgrading infrastructure in the process.
Other initiatives include upgrading 182 informal settlements, developing Tshanganani in Diepsloot and redeveloping hostels in Diepkloof, Madala, and Helen Joseph.
To improve living conditions, Johannesburg Water will upgrade sewer lines at various hostels while addressing invasions in Malboro remains a priority.
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He said the mega projects are meant to deal with the backlog of the 1996 RDP waiting list.
Mabaso emphasised the need for effective management of city-owned buildings and acquiring more properties for affordable rentals.
“We need to build internal capacity to manage our facilities properly,” he said.
Mabaso encouraged open communication and promised to address these issues.
He attributed his return to the portfolio to “God’s grace” and a desire for leadership and accountability.
“We must account to the public,” he said. “I’m not afraid to go out and listen to them.”
