Accelerating inclusive housing and economic revitalisation in Soweto

THE core aim of SDG 11 is to achieve Sustainable Cities and Communities by making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

- MUSAH MAKHUNGA

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.