Housing development projects which will see the total transformation and upliftment of mining towns in Bokone-Bophirima province are well underway and are to be completed in due course, says North West Human Settlements and Local Government departmental spokesperson, Ben Bole said.

Bole said the revitalization of distressed mining communities follows the Social Accord which was signed for by President Jacob Zuma in October 2012 as a commitment to accelerate efforts to upgrade human settlements in mining towns and improving the living and working conditions of mineworkers.

According to Bole, the targeted areas in Bokone Bophirima amongst others includes Matlosana and Rustenburg local municipalities.

Bole said the Matlosana area which is part of the mining towns has several housing projects intended to decrease the housing backlog and house struggling mine workers.

“The human settlement projects which is to restore the dignity of the mining hostel dwellers at Khuma township extension 6 near Stilfontein in the Matlosana Municipality is to start in due course and is to deal with appalling conditions of current hostels and provide them with decent family units,” he said.

The project that was allocated R54million will see the demolition of the hostels and the erection of the High Rise Breaking New Ground to house 154 families. The department said this action will fulfill a call made by Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa for residents to be provided with proper shelter.

Another 500 Units project in Khuma extension 10, which is build at the cost of R55 million is to be completed in December 2015.

Further thereto, a R40 million worth of 100 Community Residential Units project next to N12 road in Klerksdorp, Meiring’s Park has been completed and is awaiting installation of internal services such as water, sewer and electricity before being handed over to the beneficiaries.

“The housing project which is to change the face of Marikana Extension 2 area by yielding 292 Breaking New Ground houses and 252 Communal Residential Units on its 1st Phase is to be completed in December 2015.

“In its totality Marikana housing project is to yield 2600 units. The units will be spread amongst the four housing programmes namely Breaking New Ground, Community Residential Units, Social Housing and Financially Linked Individual Subsidy Programme (FLISP) in order to develop an integrated and sustainable settlement whilst addressing the huge housing backlog in the greater Marikana area,” he said. 

According to department of MEC Collen Maine, the structures of Breaking New Ground and Community Residential Units are envisaged to be completed in December 2015. “Internal services such as bulk water, sewer and electricity have been completed. The housing development is taking place in the 50 hectors of land donated by Lonmin with 860 serviced sites,” Bole concludes.
-TDN
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