Official Launch: Lufhereng Social Housing Project
On invitation of the City of Johannesburg MMC for Housing, Cllr Anthea Leitchteh, the MEC of Human Settlements launched the Lufhereng Social Housing Project on 26 May 2023.
The social housing programme aims to integrate mixed-income groups, to curb the housing backlog and bring qualifying beneficiaries including backyard and informal settlement dwellers closer to economic opportunities. The Lufhereng Social Housing Project was designed and constructed for the City of Johannesburg by the Lufhereng Development Company (LDC) and consists of 407 rental units targeting beneficiaries from Soweto. The development comprises 3 Storey walk-up blocks, consisting of 82 -One Bedroom units and 325-Two Bedroom units and will be managed by the Johannesburg Social Housing Company (JOSHCO).
In her 2023/2024 Budget Vote Speech, Minister Kubayi emphasized that social housing remains an important housing programme to meet the housing needs of the gap market, crowding in private sector investments, and building cohesive and integrated communities.
The dignitaries, officials and community members that attended the launch expressed their admiration for the quality of construction and attention to detail in the design and finishing of these residential apartments. They praised City officials and LDC for their commitment to develop this priority mixed-use housing project.
The Lufhereng project was designated as a Strategic Integrated Project (SIP 24 C) in Gazette No. 43547 (No. 812) published on 2020/07/24 by the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure. In his address to the Joint Sitting of Parliament on 15 October 2002 on South Africa’s Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan, the State President specifically referred to this national priority project:
“…. several projects are already in construction. These include human settlements projects such as …. Lufhereng in Gauteng…. In total, we have gazetted 18 housing projects to the value of R130 billion which together will produce more than 190 000 housing units.”
- More information regarding the launch can be found here:
- CoJ Twitter Feed
- Daily Sun 27 May 2023
- Radio Islam 28 May 2023
Minister De Lille calls for faster implementation of Lufhereng
Following the Ministerial Oversight Visit to Lufhereng, the Sunday World reported on 13 August 2021 that Public Works and Infrastructure Minister, Patricia de Lille, appealed to the various implementing spheres of government and departments to work more closely to unblock any impediments hindering the implementation of the Lufhereng Human Settlements project.
The photo depicts Lufhereng Development Company director, Molefe Makhoana answering questions about job creation and vocational training which is one of the principle objectives of the Lufhereng project:
Lufhereng Ministerial Oversight Visit
Minister Patricia de Lille concluded an oversight visit to the Lufhereng Human Settlements Project on 12 August 2021.
The comprehensive media statement published by the Government of South Africa can be downloaded here:
In the above photo, Minister De Lille is joined by the Gauteng MEC: Human Settlements Urban Panning, Co-Operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Lebohang Maile, Deputy Minister for DPWI, Noxolo Kiviet, the MEC for Infrastructure Development, Tasneem Motara, the Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements in the City of Johannesburg, Councillor Mlungisi Mabaso, Lufhereng Development Company Director, Napoleon Masethla, and the 2 ward councilors for the Lufhereneg area, Elliot Sithole and Theo Dhlamini.
The delegation visited and was impressed by the diverse range of quality subsidized houses and FLISP units in Lufhereng Ext 5 as well as the Social Housing complex under construction by Lufhereng Development Company (LDC) for JOSHCO in Lufhereng Ext 1. The following photo shows the delegation after visiting the home of a proud new owner of a subsidized house from the 1996/1997 waiting list:
The comprehensive media statement published by the Government of South Africa can be downloaded here:Lufhereng Ext 5 - 100 BNG Houses Handed Over
On 15 December 2020, the City of Johannesburg MMC for Housing, Cllr Mlungisi Mabaso, handed over 100 two-bedroomed Breaking New Ground (BNG) houses in Lufhereng Extension 5 to beneficiaries from the 1996 &1997 Waiting List.
One of these beneficiaries, the 70 year-old Nontobeko Luthi, thanked the Housing Department and said “I am very happy to have finally received a house from the government after having waited for such a long time. I will finally now be able to enjoy Christmas with my children and grandchildren in a dignified home."
"We are sitting at 468,000 backlog in our housing, people that are registered staying in the City of Johannesburg," said Mlungisi Mabaso, Johannesburg Housing MMC.
He affirmed that the Lufhereng Integrated Housing Development is one of the key initiatives the City to ensure qualifying beneficiaries get decent homes.
CLICK HERE for the full article - which was published on www.joburg.org.za
The event also attracted coverage by eNCA - please CLICK on the image below:
The event also attracted coverage by eNCA - please CLICK on the image below:
Lufhereng in the News: Covid-19 Houses
In a recent press statement, the MMC for Housing, Councilor Mlungisi Mabaso, confirmed that LDC was appointed to construct 2000 temporary relocation units (TRU's) in Lufhereng.
This emergency project was initiated by the City of Johannesburg in response to the call by President Cyril Ramaphosa to urgently address overcrowding of informal settlements in Greater Soweto.
This emergency project was initiated by the City of Johannesburg in response to the call by President Cyril Ramaphosa to urgently address overcrowding of informal settlements in Greater Soweto.
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The construction of these 2000 subsidized residential units are well underway and represents one of the few development success stories in South Africa during the Covid-19 pandemic.
SMME Training & Job Applications
Information on how to register as a Sub-Contracting SMME, for information on how to attend vocational training programmes or apply for a job, please visit see the Retlosebetsa information flyer and contact any of our 6 satellite offices in Ward 135 or Ward 53:
- Lufhereng Satellite Office - Ms Zintle Siswana 073 373 2648
- Protea Glen Ext 29 - Ms Nyeleti Maswanganye 081 762 6737
- Protea Glen Ext 11 - Mr Themba Sibeko 073 466 5497
- Protea Glen Ext 16 - Mr Blessing Maseko 061 422 0151
- Slovoville - Ms Kelebogile Gaselebelwe - 071 209 3154
- Green Village - Ms Hlobisile Nhlabathi 067 949 4641
Lufhereng SMME Training & Job Creation
The City of Johannesburg and Lufhereng Development Company (LDC) committed the Lufhereng Mega Housing Project to develop the emerging workforce of surrounding communities. Local Economic Development (LED) in Lufhereng target local SMME’s who are likely become future employers as well as individuals requiring occupational skills and training. To this end, Retlosebetsa, who are responsible for stakeholder facilitation, operates 6 satellite offices in the sub-region to source beneficiaries for preferential procurement, compliance and SMME business advisory services. A tactical Database is constantly maintained to ensure transparency and labour stability in the Lufhereng project.
To date, LDC and its contractors have established 52 construction camp sites for various housing and civil infrastructure projects in partnership and in consultation with institutions like CETA, AgriSETA and the NHBRC. The objective of this is to implement skills and training programs as the Lufhereng project unfolds. Achievements in this exciting initiative include:
- 438 training programs completed by local SMME’s and individuals focusing on construction, agriculture and business management.
- An additional 443 training programs currently in progress.
- LDC assisted 1646 local SMME’s and individuals from the database to participate in skills development programs and vocational training.
- LDC also placed 1404 local labourers from the Labour Desk on site and engaged 338 local SMME’s as sub-contractors.
The City of Johannesburg attributes the success of this SMME training and job creation programme to the active cooperation of residents, civic structures, residents and ward councilors who collectively ensure that Lufhereng truly becomes a place where dreams can take root!
Enquiries about the Lufhereng Labour Desk and SMME Database registration, please visit Retlosebetsa on www.retlosebetsa.co.za
LUFHERENG SOCIAL HOUSING UPDATE
As part of its commitment to develop Lufhereng as an integrated human settlement, the City of Johannesburg prioritized the development of social housing in addition to subsidized, Flisp and bonded housing.
The first social housing stands was serviced and is presently in construction. Lufhereng Development Company (LDC) entered into a contract with the Johannesburg Social Housing Company (JOSHCO) to implement the first phase Social Housing project consisting of some 418 units in Lufhereng Ext 1.
LDC is well versed with the existing SHRA policy environment and will deliver a model social housing project for the residents of Soweto.
In partnership with JOSHCO, LDC will facilitate the design and construction of quality, resource efficient, economically sustainable and affordable social housing products, which are close to transport nodes, and that address the needs of the community and the environment.
While JOSHCO and LDC are in partnership to develop the first phase social housing units in Lufhereng, this does not exclude the possibility of other Housing Agencies participating in this ground-breaking project in future.
Lufhereng Ext 5 Construction
The installation of services in Lufhereng Ext 5 have progressed since the City of Johannesburg officially handed the site over to the Lufhereng Development Company in October 2014.
All civil services for Lufhereng Ext 5 will be completed by December 2015 to enable house construction to commence in 2016.
All civil services for Lufhereng Ext 5 will be completed by December 2015 to enable house construction to commence in 2016.
Lufhereng Contract Handover
The Executive Director of Housing of the City of Johannesburg, Thabo Maisela officially handed the signed Turn-key development contract to the Lufhereng Development Company on 8 October 2014. This ceremony was held at the Saxon Hotel in Sandhurst.