5 days ago
Handover of new homes, hope in Bronkhorstspruit
Eight new homes were handed over to Bronkhorstspruit residents on July 22, as part of a partnership between the metro and a local mine.
The aim is to uplift the community in the east of Pretoria.
'This is a very special occasion, a day that speaks directly to the heart of what public-private partnerships should be about, the development of the community,' said Tshwane Mayor, Dr Nasiphi Moya.
She said the delivery of the houses is more than just a distribution of physical structures, but a demonstration of the metro's commitment to restoring the dignity of its residents.
'We hand over hope, stability, and the affirmation that no one is forgotten, especially those living in rural and historically underserved areas like Zithobeni, Rethabiseng, and Ekangala, within wards 102 and 104,' she said.
She emphasised that the handover was a demonstration of the government's commitment to giving people dignified homes and security of tenure.
She thanked the metro's partner, Palesa Coal Mine. 'Through this partnership, we are demonstrating what becomes possible when government and the private sector come together with a common purpose – to uplift communities, and deliver lasting impact where it is needed most.'
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She mentioned that the agreement called for the building of 20 houses in Region 7, specifically in Bronkhorstspruit.
'To date, 11 houses have been completed, and three of those have already been occupied,' she said.
Moya shared that their selection of beneficiaries was a result of a comprehensive and compassionate process led by the municipality, supported by social workers and dedicated local councillors.
'These beneficiaries are elderly-headed households, child-headed households, and residents who, for years, have lived in structures unfit for human habitation.
'Many of them had long given up hope of ever receiving formal housing,' she said.
She stated that the company's participation in the initiative is part of its Social and Labour Plan (SLP), which aligns its responsibility to contribute positively to the development of communities within its area of operation.
'For the City of Tshwane, our involvement in this partnership is not only a demonstration of our commitment to social justice and infrastructure delivery, but also a fulfilment of our Constitutional mandate,' she affirmed.
Moya also announced that the metro's 2025/26 budget has allocated funding to fast-track service delivery in Region 7, including Bronkhorstspruit and surrounding communities.
'Specifically, we have set aside R15-million to improve the electricity supply and infrastructure in the region,' she said.
She said the funding will go towards the following:
– Formal grid connections for residents in Zithobeni Heights,
– Strengthening of overhead electrical networks across Zithobeni, and
– The replacement of ageing and unreliable electrical cabling in the area.
'We understand that access to reliable electricity is not a luxury, but it is a necessity for education, safety, economic activity, and the overall well-being of our residents,' she said.
She said in addition to the electricity upgrades, the metro has also budgeted over R88-million for the provision of bulk water and sanitation infrastructure in Region 7.
The breakdown of this allocation includes:
– R3-million for toilet reticulation in Ekangala
– R25-million for the refurbishment of the Bronkhorstspruit Water Purification Plant
– R15-million for the upgrade of the Ekangala Waste Water Treatment Works.
Moya concluded by saying the projects are life-changing investments in the physical and social infrastructure of communities.
'They create jobs, restore dignity, and lay the foundation for future development.
'We will continue to seek and strengthen partnerships with other responsible corporate players in the city who, like Palesa Coal Mine, are prepared to walk this road with us,' she said.
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