The Maphephetheni Phase 3 Rural Housing Project in KwaZulu-Natal is expected to provide decent homes to 2 286 families by 2028 as government steps up efforts to improve living conditions in rural communities.
Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane, KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma and eThekwini Municipality Mayor Cyril Xaba will today hand over housing units to qualifying beneficiaries at Maphephetheni, north of Durban.
Close to R7 million has been allocated to the project for the 2026/27 financial year.
The Department of Human Settlements has reaffirmed its commitment to restoring dignity in rural communities, including through the eradication of mud houses. Government has set a target of eradicating close to 7 000 mud houses across the country.
Cornubia housing project marks key milestones
The Maphephetheni handover precedes a visit to KwaZulu-Natal by President Cyril Ramaphosa, who will lead the Cornubia Integrated Human Settlements Project Milestone Celebration in eThekwini, on Thursday, 29 October 2026.
The milestone celebration will highlight progress in developing integrated human settlements that provide dignified housing, bring communities closer to economic opportunities and essential services, and address spatial inequalities inherited from apartheid-era planning, in line with the priorities outlined in the President’s 2026 State of the Nation Address.
Cornubia is expected to deliver 12 593 housing units through various programmes, including fully subsidised Breaking New Ground (BNG) housing, First Home Finance for the so-called missing middle and social housing.
According to the Presidency, the development has delivered close to 3 000 fully subsidised housing units since its launch more than a decade ago. It also includes supporting social infrastructure and amenities such as a school, retail outlets, and recreational facilities.
The project is also intended to address spatial inequalities created by apartheid-era planning by developing integrated communities with improved access to services and economic opportunities.
“Cornubia has recently welcomed the first group of 2022 flood survivors into their permanent homes, while construction of additional 146 housing units is expected to be completed by December 2026,” the Presidency said in a statement.
The Presidential visit will also highlight the contribution of strategic partners to the development of integrated human settlements and government’s efforts to fulfil its constitutional mandate to provide access to adequate housing.
President Ramaphosa is also expected to visit Montclaire Lodge, the first government-owned Temporary Emergency Accommodation facility, which provides temporary shelter to people displaced by disasters.
President Ramaphosa will be joined by, among others, Human Settlements Minister, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli, KZN Transport and Human Settlements MEC, and eThekwini Mayor.
The milestone celebration underscores the importance of sustained collaboration among national, provincial and local government in accelerating housing delivery, strengthening communities and ensuring that more South Africans have access to dignified living conditions. – SAnews.gov.za
