By Akani Nkuna
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for an end to apartheid-era spatial planning, urging the government to build integrated human settlements that bring people closer to jobs, schools, healthcare and public transport.
Ramaphosa said housing developments must promote inclusive communities across income groups, reduce commuting distances and costs, and ensure residents have access to essential services and economic opportunities.
“We must acknowledge that too many of the houses built in the early years of democracy were located far from jobs and services. Housing must be within reach of schools, health services and transport. It must be close to economic opportunity and community facilities,” he said.
ALSO READ: Jacinta Zuma vows to continue protests as police minister seeks urgent interdict
“That is why we have sought to build not just houses, but human settlements. We have sought to build integrated neighbourhoods, where residents have what they need to live comfortable lives. Integrated human settlements bring homes, schools, clinics, shops, parks and transport together in one place.”
Ramaphosa was speaking at the Cornubia Integrated Human Settlements milestone celebration in eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal, on Thursday, where he handed over houses to families displaced by the devastating floods that hit the province in 2022.
Launched in April 2014, the Cornubia Integrated Human Settlements project is expected to deliver 12,593 housing units. To date, 3,000 fully subsidised housing units have been completed.
According to the Presidency, Cornubia recently welcomed the first group of survivors of the 2022 floods into their permanent homes. Construction of a further 145 housing units under Phase 2 was launched on Thursday, bringing the number of houses expected to be completed by mid-2027 to 460.
Ramaphosa said providing affordable housing close to employment opportunities was essential to helping people find work and reducing transport costs, particularly as households grapple with the rising cost of living.
He called for work at Cornubia to be accelerated, stressing the importance of delivering housing and supporting infrastructure without unnecessary delays.
The project is expected to accommodate more than 110,000 people over the next 10 to 15 years. Ramaphosa said this would require adequate social amenities, including schools, clinics, libraries, sports facilities and police stations, to serve the growing community.
“We are working to remake our cities and reduce the cost of living for families. We are doing this by expanding affordable housing and revitalising commuter rail. We are introducing a new model for housing, where people are given subsidies for ownership and rental in areas that are suitable for them,” he said.
The president also warned that delays in delivering homes deprived families of valuable opportunities, calling for clear timelines and firm commitments to ensure outstanding housing obligations were met.
ALSO READ:NPA freezes R99m in assets linked to taxi boss Joe ‘Ferrari’ Sibanyoni
He said communities should receive regular, transparent updates on beneficiary eligibility, housing allocations, construction progress and relocation dates to prevent the spread of rumours and ensure residents understood the process.
“Any allegations of fraud, queue-jumping, unlawful occupation or interference with beneficiary lists must be reported and investigated. We ask the community to protect completed houses, public facilities and infrastructure,” Ramaphosa said.
