Accelerating inclusive housing and economic revitalisation in Soweto

IOL News

5 days ago

Orlando Ekhaya is a property development in Soweto, set to transform the housing landscape and drive sustainable economic activity in one of Johannesburg's most culturally and historically significant regions.
Image: Picture: Nomazwe Bukula
The core aim of SDG 11 is to achieve Sustainable Cities and Communities by making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. This is premised on cities investing to achieve responsible urbanisation, reducing the environmental impact of cities, and improving the quality of life for all.
This goal finds resonance with the City of Johannesburg because we have an ambitious plan to address and invest in such critical economic and social interventions as providing affordable basic services, sustainable transport, creating green spaces and ensuring a carefully managed urbanisation that benefits all.
In this regard, we've made encouraging and compelling progress to address some of the key challenges we face in the city, particularly spatial inequality and historical housing backlogs in our townships.
An example is the Orlando eKhaya and Power Park Housing Projects in Soweto, which represent catalytic initiatives set to not only transform the housing landscape but also drive sustainable economic activity in one of Johannesburg's most culturally and historically significant regions.
Initiated in 2001 by then-Mayor Amos Masondo, the Orlando eKhaya and Power Park precincts were among the City's first mega-projects born from the vision to resuscitate Soweto as a thriving metropolitan heartland. Nevertheless, as is often the case with government projects of this magnitude, it had to endure endless delays due to limits in funding and shifting policy priorities. Now, twenty years later, we are reviving this vision with urgency, strategic purpose, and inclusive development planning.
The Johannesburg Property Company (JPC), in partnership with LAB Investment Holdings (Pty) Ltd, has realigned the focus of development to specifically target our city's most critical housing needs: inclusionary housing, social rentals, fully subsidised RDP units, and purpose-built student accommodation.
With a land size of approximately 24 hectares, the project will yield an estimated 5,964 housing units. These units are strategically placed near major transport arteries such as Chris Hani Road and key social infrastructure, including Baragwanath Hospital, the University of Johannesburg's Soweto campus, and several commercial hubs. This proximity ensures that housing is not only accessible but is embedded within the economic and social heartbeat of the city.
To date, the private sector has committed over R439 million in investments to the Orlando eKhaya and Power Park precincts. Several developments are either complete or in progress:
Student housing: 850 beds are already occupied, with an additional 1,450 under construction.
FLISP housing: 648 units are underway, with 136 already occupied.
Social housing (Erfs 47 & 48): A combined 1,740 units are planned, both zoned, proclaimed, and bulk connections installed.
RDP housing: Over 2,000 units are planned across multiple erven, including Power Park Ext. 2 and Orlando eKhaya Erfs 22, 23, and 24.
This blend of housing is a testament to our commitment to mixed-income communities, where economic integration is the catalyst to social cohesion.
Granted, infrastructure is a very large issue. Bulk and link services for civil and electrical infrastructure have either been postponed or remain unfunded. The approximate costs for such basic services are in excess of R200 million and include roads, stormwater drainage, water, sewer, and electrical reticulation. These aren't add-ons; they are preconditions for any acceptable urban development.
We have already completed several civil components and are set to commence the next construction phases from February to November 2025, with funding alignment for the BNG subsidy program running through to August 2026. However, for this project to succeed in the accelerated 18–24-month timeline envisioned, all spheres of government must work in sync and funding partners must come to the table urgently.