By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to unveil a groundbreaking housing project in the Northern Cape on Thursday. The project is projected to yield over 4,000 housing units upon completion.
According to the Presidency, the project is expected to deliver some 4 168 houses, with at least 2 500 of those homes to be completed within the next year.
To bolster the project’s funding, the Northern Cape Provincial Government has secured a R600 million loan from the Development Bank of South Africa, in collaboration with the National Treasury. This additional financial support is intended to supplement the region’s existing grant allocation for housing.
The urgent need for adequate housing solutions in the province is underscored by the presence of approximately 162 informal settlements and nearly 80,000 households lacking proper housing. Currently, 18,000 serviced stands have been prepared for the construction of residential structures.
Ramaphosa is expected to perform a sod-turning ceremony at a site. This location will host fully subsidised houses and diverse housing opportunities, including First Home Finance and social housing,” the Presidency said.
Meanwhile opposition parties questioned the timing of the project, saying the project has more to do with electioneering than it does with meeting the actual needs of Northern Cape citizens.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) said, “The huge funding injection hastily allocated to address the housing backlog, on the doorstep of the 2024 election reeks of electioneering as opposed to the true restoration of dignity to those waiting for a home.
In a statement, The DA expressed concern on the R600 million loan, saying in the past, they have seen the costs of construction projects in the Northern Cape, like the mental hospital, escalate from R290 million to R2,1 billion.
ActionSA called on the Northen Cape Premier Zamani Saul to publicise beneficiary list of proposed R1 billion housing project ahead of Ramaphosa’s visit.
“Given the timing of this launch, we are concerned that this is more of an ANC stunt to lure voters than a genuine intention to deliver services to the residents of Roodepan. The promise to deliver housing projects in this city was made at the start of the 6th administration by Premier Saul and its only making headway now at the eve of the 2024 elections, said ActionSA.