Westgate a hub of activity ahead of President Zuma's visit

Saturday, April 1, 2017

Pietermaritzburg - President Jacob Zuma will today launch South Africa’s biggest social housing project which is located in Westgate, Pietermaritzburg.

On Friday, SAnews visited the Westgate Grange area ahead of the launch. Workmen were hard at work tipping over sand in from wheel barrows and putting the final touches ahead of the President’s visit to the face brick development located in White Road.

The scorching Pietermaritzburg weather, did little to deter workers or those milling around the street, as others put up banners. Others admired a white marquee that has been erected on the Westgate Grange Social Housing site, while others took reprieve from the unforgiving heat by standing under trees dotted along the side of the street.

The Westgate Grange social housing site, which President Zuma will launch, is expected to provide decent and affordable accommodation to over 3000 people.

The project is a response to the housing needs of those who neither qualify for the fully subsidised housing programme nor qualify for the bonded houses.

The project, said the Presidency, is a great achievement for government through the Department of Human Settlements. The project was developed under the Social Housing Policy for households with monthly incomes of between R1500 to R7500.

The Department of Human Settlements says the project is the biggest social housing project in the country as it comprises of 952 housing units and addresses the critical rental needs within the Msunduzi municipality.

At the launch, President Zuma is expected to engage with beneficiaries as well as unveil a plaque.

So far, social housing has only been delivered in Durban and Pietermaritzburg. It will soon be developed in five additional municipalities namely Emnambithi; KwaDukuza, Ray Nkonyeni, Umhlathuze and Newcastle.

Also on Saturday, President Zuma is expected to speak at a community engagement session at the Imbali Stage 1 Sports Fields in Imbali township.

To date, government has delivered close to 4.5 million houses and opportunities since the dawn of democracy. – SAnews.gov.za