HUMAN SETTLEMENTS
Driving progress through housing developments The authorities in the Vaal region, as in much of South Africa, are hard at work to facilitate change in the spatial patterns that are the legacy of a dark past. Mixed-use and mixed-income settlements are at the fore of this shift.
LESEDI Lesedi Local Municipality strives to achieve the national target of eradicating the informal settlements by providing houses to poor communities. Lesedi works very closely with the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements by providing the land and all necessary infrastructure to ensure successful housing delivery. The housing backlog is currently estimated at 14 189. Over the years, Lesedi has managed to deliver over 11 000 houses and formalised 943 informal stands. The municipality has been able to address about 60% of housing delivery backlogs; however, due to continuous migration problems into the area, the housing backlog remains high. Furthermore, Lesedi has recently managed to formalise another 238 stands in Ratanda X8, where about 130 housing units are planned to be delivered.
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REBIRTH OF THE VAAL
Housing projects There are numerous housing projects in various stages of development across the municipality, some of which are listed below. Hostel Redevelopment at Ratanda and Shalimar Ridge: The project consists of 210 units; 24 hostels have been built at Ratanda and 186 unit are being constructed at Shalimar Ridge. There is still outstanding work, such as paving, landscaping, fencing, parking lots and washing lines, before the project is handed over to the municipality. This project is implemented by the Department of Human Settlements. Unfortunately, there were invasions and vandalism on the property and the municipality is soliciting ways to remedy the situation. Obed Nkosi Housing Project: This project is envisaged for the development of 6 000 mixed-income residential stands and forms part of one of Gauteng’s mega housing projects.
Currently, 1 532 houses have been allocated and occupied by approved beneficiaries. Ratanda Extension: The goal of the project is accommodate all the informal households in Ratanda that have invaded private and municipal land. A contractor has been appointed and is currently on-site to build 135 houses during the first phase of the project. Thirty-eight houses have been allocated. Ratanda Close-off Housing Project: About 130 houses are under construction in Ratanda Ext 1,3,5,6,7 and 8. The second phase of the project will include the completion of Gautrans houses and the construction of houses in Ratanda Ext 8 at 238 stands. Two contractors have been appointed to complete the 130 housing units and 58 additional units will be built, with 33 houses having been allocated thus far. Impumelelo Ext 3 Housing Project: Feasibility studies have already been conducted and preliminary results
