By OBAKENG MAJE
More than R2 billion housing project to be rolled out in the North West province. The multi-billion project was unveiled by the North West Housing Corporation’s newly-appointed CEO, Sello Mogodiri during a press conference in Mahikeng on Tuesday.
Mogodiri said this initiative will ensure that the province re-claims its rightful place as a historical leader in the development space. He said the pronouncement and confirmation made by both the President of the country, Cyril Ramaphosa during State of the Address (SONA) and the North West Premier, Prof Job Mokgoro during State of the Province Address (SOPA) respectfully.
“Since the appointment of the board and the CEO, the NWHC has embarked on a well-thought programme to reclaim its core mandate through the development of mining towns, smart cities, and spatial economic zones.
“We are repositioning this historic institution to be a major player in contributing towards transformation of our province and rebuilding the economy. This initiative will switch the provincial housing machinery into higher gear, thereby facilitating developmental projects that will stimulate economic growth and create jobs for the people of the province,” he said.
Mogodiri further said the NWHC, as a catalyst for development, has resolved to unlock development initiatives that will transform the province into a massive construction site. He added that the human settlements programmes lay a solid foundation for them to contribute towards the realisation of this vision.
“The NWHC is a legal entity established in terms of the North West Housing Corporation Act No. 24 of 1982 as amended. Our mandate is to provide and further the provision of housing, shelter, and accommodation, especially for low-income communities.
“As part of our mandate, we are expected to render financial and physical intervention to the province on both urban and rural planning. The province has over a long period of time been caught in a lack of mega-projects that can drive the economy of the province to heights never seen before whilst at the time creating an environment for massive investment in local economies and creating jobs.
“We are today unveiling these exciting strategic plans with a view to generating new energy and attract foreign direct investment into the province. This is an opportune moment for the North West to redeem its legacy as a revered developmental hub. The ground is ready and ripe,” said Mogodiri.
He said they will construct 15 000 units and the initiative will be rolled out in categories.
“We have a Mining Township Programme such as Mogwase mixed housing to support the rapidly growing mining activities. We also have a newly launched Special Economic Zones like Rustenburg Smart City Project and Marikana Mining Mega City Project.
“We have a Spatial Economic Zones (SEZ) programmes in the Mogwase Spatial Economic Zone and Mafikeng Spatial Economic Zone. Another project is a Smart City Programme in Madibeng-Lanseria Smart City and Potchefstroom Smart City Mixed Housing Development,” he said.
Mogodiri said the above-mentioned initiatives are to be roll-out from January 2021. He said the NWHC invites all stakeholders to prepare themselves to join in to ensure that these initiatives are successful, and all necessary economic elements are enhanced to support continuous growth.
The Guardian 