Patricia de Lille, the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, is delighted with the progress achieved on the Jeppestown Social Housing project in Johannesburg.
The Minister accompanied officials from the Infrastructure South Africa office in the Presidency and the Social Housing Regulatory Authority team on a project oversight visit (SHRA).
During Tuesday’s visit, de Lille described the project as a conversion and extension of an inner-city building to offer 95 social housing units with retail space on the ground floor.
The project began in March 2020 and was finished in July 2022 for a total cost of slightly over R33.7 million, of which R25.6 million was awarded to SMMEs.
During the construction phase, 227 of the project’s 230 positions were reserved for young workers. 50 units have been occupied thus far.
This inner city building is an affordable apartment complex with monthly rents ranging from R626 to R4866 per unit, depending on size and features. The complex offers a mix of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments,” de Lille explained.
In July 2020, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) designated the project as a Strategic Infrastructure Project (SIP).
This follows the project’s inclusion in the Infrastructure Investment Plan, which was authorized by Cabinet on May 27, 2020.
According to De Lille, the project was executed by the GNI Social Housing Company, which submitted a grant application to the SHRA and was given the Consolidated Capital Grant.
In addition, the SHRA funded 75% of the project and the National Empowerment Fund funded 25% through a combination of debt and equity funding.
“The development was advertised to the public, and beneficiaries immediately applied to the grantee’s property management resources. They were assigned units according to the social housing income criteria (primary/secondary beneficiaries) on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Jeppestown Social Housing Project exemplifies the government’s efforts to rectify apartheid spatial planning by providing dignified housing in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic and the Social Housing Act 16 of 2008.
The project is an excellent illustration of infrastructure investment in action and speaks to the objectives of the ERRP [Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan] through economic transformation, job creation, skills development, consolidating the social wage through reliable and high-quality basic services, spatial integration, human settlements, social cohesion, and safe communities.
De Lille stated that the Infrastructure Investment Plan includes 62 projects in the water and sanitation, human settlements, digital, agricultural, transportation, and energy sectors.
Changing lives
Quintin Khambule, one of the first renters at the property, told SAnews that he is thrilled to have a space of his own.
Khambule stated that he learned about the development some months ago and promptly submitted an application for one of the units.
“I’m residing with my family, and the rent is reasonable,” Khambule said, adding that his workplace is nearby.
He said, “I don’t have to spend money on transportation to work, and I also do my shopping here.”
Jostina Ranwedi, a mother of two, disclosed to SAnews that she has been searching for a suitable residence for her children.
Ranwedi rented a shanty in Soweto, where life was challenging, particularly when it rained because water would leak into the shack.
“I’m pleased with the new location, and my children are protected,” she remarked.
Since 2020, de Lille has been inspecting the status of several SIPs across the nation as part of his reporting to Cabinet on the Infrastructure Investment Plan. – SAnews.gov.za