Is the area gearing up for significant housing developments? This follows recent land acquisitions spanning thousands of hectares in Newcastle aiming to tackle challenges faced by informal settlements and farm workers.
This revelation emerged during the State of the Province Address (SOPA) delivered by KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube on Wednesday, 28 February 2024.
Premier Dube-Ncube emphasised the KZN Provincial Government’s commitment to ensuring the provision of decent housing and housing opportunities for its residents.
Highlighting the efforts, Dube-Ncube noted that the department’s 19 housing projects have yielded a total of 2,532 rented units, catering to individuals capable of paying rent within social housing schemes. Additionally, 1,116 rental units were provided in community residential units, with 404 units already occupied at Jika Joe in Msunduzi, adjacent to the N3.
Furthermore, the Premier mentioned ongoing projects in Newcastle, uMvoti, Kokstad, and uBuhlebezwe municipalities, focusing on the development of rental units:
- Jika Joe: 404 Units
- Jika Joe: 404 units
- Kokstad CRU: 228 units
- Ubuhlebethu CRU: 102 units
- Newcastle’s N11 CRU: 190 units, conveniently located near the N11.
- Nhlalkahle CRU: 192 units
Moreover, the Premier highlighted that 22 Priority Development Areas were identified to support the District Development Model (DDM) in regions including Newcastle, Ladysmith, KwaDukuza, Empangeni, and Richards Bay.
However, while ensuring proper housing was made available to KZN residents, the Premier explained that when looking at informal settlements and farm workers, her department has taken the necessary steps to address this issue and Newcastle will be a part of the said solution.
To address the upgrading of informal settlements and farm workers’ challenges, the Dube-Ncube highlighted that these parcels of land have been acquired in the following areas:
- 132.6170 hectares at Farm Boschhoek in Newcastle
- 51.6817 hectares of land in Utrecht
- 57.2682 hectares of land in Vryheid
- 86.5623 hectares of land in Estcourt
While the exact type of work to be conducted on the land and the cost of the land is still to be confirmed, Dube-Ncube said, “Through subsidized housing, our cities are slowly being transformed while we are addressing the formation of informal settlements and providing housing for our military veterans.”
This is a developing story, however, as the acquisition of land to address informal settlements and farm worker challenges unfolds, what are your thoughts on this development?
Share your views in the comment section below.
