Latest news with #JohannesburgPropertyCompany
IOL News
02-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Accelerating inclusive housing and economic revitalisation in Soweto
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.
IOL News
15-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Mayor Morero takes Joburg's challenges by the horns with bold renewal agenda
CITY DECAY: This week, Joburg mayor Dada Morero joined the South African Institute of Black Property Practitioners for the Inner-City Investment Open Dialogue, where he outlined comprehensive plans to unlock the potential of the inner city. Facing mounting urban decay, financial strain, and deep-rooted service delivery backlogs, Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero is making it clear: the city's challenges will not be met with rhetoric, but with decisive, bold action. In a series of recent engagements and policy declarations, Morero has signalled a hands-on approach to inner-city revitalisation, infrastructure renewal, and economic inclusion — a multi-pronged strategy to reshape Johannesburg's future. This week, Morero joined the South African Institute of Black Property Practitioners (SAIBPP) for the Inner-City Investment Open Dialogue, where he outlined comprehensive plans to unlock the potential of the inner city — Johannesburg's geographic and economic heart. 'The inner city is not just a place. It is a symbol of our national urban economy and a hub of cultural richness and entrepreneurial energy,' Morero said. 'But it's also a space that has been neglected, hijacked, and allowed to decay. That must change.'Through the Inner City Revitalisation Programme, the City aims to repurpose 500 derelict buildings by 2026 into affordable housing, student accommodations, and commercial hubs. With the help of the Johannesburg Property Company, strategic parcels of land and municipal properties are being unblocked for redevelopment, creating opportunities for both public and private sector investment. Morero's plan goes beyond bricks and mortar. The city is stepping up law enforcement to restore safety and the rule of law, introducing smarter surveillance systems and operationalising housing courts to fast-track eviction proceedings and resolve disputes linked to unlawful occupations. 'This is a war room approach to service delivery,' said Morero.
IOL News
07-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
DA lays culpable homicide charges against JPC CEO Helen Botes over deadly Usindiso fire
Johannesburg Property Company (JPC) Helen Botes faces legal action for alleged failure to manage a city-owned building that burned down, killing dozens. Johannesburg Property Company (JPC) CEO Helen Botes is once again facing legal trouble after the Democratic Alliance (DA) opened a case of culpable homicide against her on Tuesday. The charge stems from Botes' alleged failure to adequately manage the Usindiso building in Marshalltown, which was engulfed in a deadly fire in August 2023 that claimed 76 lives. Dozens of others were injured or displaced. The DA announced that the charge was filed at the Johannesburg Central Police Station. The party announced its State of the City Address (SOCA), where it highlighted numerous challenges facing Johannesburg, including the persistent problem of hijacked buildings. The Usindiso building, which had been illegally occupied, is seen by the DA as emblematic of widespread administrative and infrastructure failures throughout the city. The JPC, a municipal entity, is responsible for managing publicly owned properties in Johannesburg. Botes has served as its CEO for 15 years and also holds the position of acting chief operating officer for the City of Johannesburg. DA Chief Whip in the city council, Nicole Rahn, said pursuing the charge against Botes was a necessary and solemn step. 'That building had become a ticking time bomb, illegally occupied, unsafe, and repeatedly flagged to Ms. Botes as a serious risk. Yet nothing was done,' Rahn said. She added that the Khampepe Commission of Inquiry into the fire laid blame squarely on Botes and the JPC. 'Enforcement was neglected, warnings were ignored, and a building owned by the City of Johannesburg was left to rot until it became a death trap.' 'Botes, as the CEO and accounting officer, had both the authority and the obligation to act. She chose not to, for four years,' Rahn said. Meanwhile, DA caucus leader Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku echoed these sentiments, calling for Botes to be held accountable for what she described as 'incompetence.' 'There has been no accountability. So we opened a case of culpable homicide against Helen Botes because the Khampepe report issued recommendations, and they should be implemented,' she said. The commission found that the fatal fire could have been avoided if the JPC had effectively managed the hijacked property. It is recommended that Botes be held accountable. This is not the first time Botes has faced scrutiny. A 2021 Special Investigating Unit (SIU) report previously implicated her in financial mismanagement that cost the city more than R18 million. IOL Politics
