By The Gauteng Provincial Government has reached a crucial milestone in its housing delivery mandate, with Premier Panyaza Lesufi leading the handover of 283 newly built homes at the Elijah Barayi Mega Project in Ward 12 of the Merafong City Local Municipality.
The Premier was joined on-site by Human Settlements MEC Tasneem Motara and Merafong City Executive Mayor Cllr Nozuko Best. The initiative aims to alleviate severe housing backlogs in the West Rand, shifting families from protracted, undignified living conditions into modern, secure environments.
From Backyard Shack and Hostel Life to Generational Stability
For many recipients, the keys represent an end to years of hardship. Among the beneficiaries is a six-member household—including a 68-year-old grandmother—that had been crammed into a single Khutsong hostel room since registering on the National Housing Needs Register in 2020.
Like many others moving into the development from informal settlements such as Sonderwater, Crossroads, and Joe Slovo, as well as cramped backyard rooms across Carletonville CBD, Wedela, and Fochville, they previously lived without dependable running water, electricity, or proper sanitation.
With Friday’s allocation, the total number of families securely settled under the mega project has climbed to 2,200.
A Blueprint for Integrated Sustainable Human Settlements
First initiated in 2017, the sprawling Elijah Barayi Mega Project is designed to radically alter the landscape of the mining-dependent region by delivering a projected 12,799 housing opportunities. The master plan incorporates a diverse mixed-market model to cater to varying income segments:
- 6,500 fully subsidised Breaking New Ground (BNG) houses
- 3,500 Finance Linked Individual Subsidy Programme (FLISP) units targeting the gap market for first-time buyers
- 2,000 social housing rental units
- 799 bonded houses
In addition to brick-and-mortar structures, the initiative caters to broader community integration. The provincial department has released 1,066 serviced stands through the Rapid Land Release Programme for residents qualified to build independently, alongside standalone houses dedicated to 12 military veterans.
Extensive bulk infrastructure—including sewer lines, electrical grids, road networks, and newly engineered intersections constructed in collaboration with SANRAL and Gautrans—has been put in place. Crucial social amenities, including a community hall, a sports facility, a dedicated taxi rank, and a business centre, have also been completed.
Honouring a Working-Class Icon
The development draws its name from the legendary mineworker, trade unionist, and founding president of COSATU, Elijah Barayi. Barayi dedicated his life to championing the rights and living conditions of the South African working class—a legacy that holds profound resonance in Merafong, a municipality forged by the mining sector.
Addressing the crowd, Premier Lesufi urged residents to safeguard their new neighbourhood and cultivate a culture of community pride rather than tolerating crime or violence.
“Our responsibility does not end with handing over houses. We want to see these communities grow and thrive, with schools, clinics, shopping facilities and other services that support a better quality of life. That is how we build sustainable communities for the people of this province,” Premier Lesufi stated.
A Warning Against Unlawful Transactions
MEC Tasneem Motara echoed these sentiments, congratulating the new homeowners while issuing a strict warning regarding the illegal trading or rental of state-subsidized properties. Under the Housing Act, beneficiaries are legally prohibited from selling a subsidized home within eight years of acquisition unless it is formally offered back to the provincial housing department.
“These homes represent more than bricks and mortar. They represent dignity, stability and the opportunity to build a better future. These are generational assets that can be passed on to your children. Take care of them and understand the value of what you have received,” Motara emphasized.
Moving forward, the provincial department is closely cooperating with the Merafong City Local Municipality to clear remaining administrative hurdles, finalize phase one title deeds, and officially hand over completed community facilities to local government oversight.
