Construction and property

A subsidy programme is boosting home ownership.

The Provincial Government of Limpopo’s housing finance agency, Risima, together with the Limpopo Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA) has made about R11-million available in subsidies to 147 people to enable them to become homeowners.

The Finance Linked Individual Subsidy Programme, for those earning between R3 501 and R15 000 per month, caters to the so-called gap market. Grants are distributed to cover a deposit or to make up the shortfall between an asking price and what the applicant can afford. The South African Affordable Residential Developers Association (SAARDA) caters to the gap market.

A non-mortgaged financial produc t assists government employees to get a foot on the property ladder. Risima is also exploring cooperation with mining houses such as Exxaro, Amplats and Northam at Thabazimbi.

Premier Chupu Stanley Mathabatha handed over the site for a new hospital to be built in Polokwane in June 2023. Funded to the tune of R4-billion by the National Department of Health, Limpopo Central Academic Hospital, the 25ha campus on Webster Street is next to the site of what will become the School of Medicine of the University of Limpopo.

The provincial government has appointed 41 engineering consultants to design roads in all five districts of the province, which will mean work for construction companies and contractors. Clinics are also being built, providing more work opportunities in the construction sector.

A four-star Premier Hotels property under construction in Thohoyandou is being built by Nakiseni Business Enterprise and should provide about 480 jobs in the first phase. This includes labourers, artisans and project managers.

The Enterprise Development and Finance Division of the Limpopo Economic Development Agency (LEDA) offers loans to businesses in the construction and property sector and runs specialised training in vocational skills such as bricklaying, plastering, carpentry, plumbing, electrical and welding.

Thavhani Mall, pictured, is operating in Thohoyandou in a bigger development called Thavhani City. The 27ha site will

Online Resources

Black Business Council in Built Environment: www.bbcbe.org

Construction Industry Development Board: www.cidb.org.za

South African Property Owners Association: www.sapoa.org.za

Sector Insight

eventually include an office park, automotive-related businesses, private healthcare, a library, an information centre and a sports stadium. Its anchor retail tenants include Woolworths, Edgars, Pick n Pay and SuperSpar. The partners in the R1-billion project are Thavhani Property Investments, Vukile Property Fund and Flanagan & Gerard Property Development.

Five libraries are under construction in the province and four new libraries are planned for Tshaulu, Makhuduthamaga, Vleifontein and Botshabelo in the Mopani District. The Schoemansdal Museum is to be upgraded. ■