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The Gauteng Provincial Government today handed over 283 houses to beneficiaries at the Elijah Barayi Mega Project in Ward 12 of Merafong City Local Municipality, West Rand.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi led the handover. He was joined by the MEC for Human Settlements, Tasneem Motara, and the Executive Mayor of Merafong City, Cllr Nozuko Best.
Many of the new homeowners come from Khutsong Hostel and from backyard rooms across Merafong, where families have lived for years without running water, electricity or proper sanitation. One of the households receiving keys today has six members, including a 68-year-old grandmother. Since registering on the National Housing Needs Register in 2020, they have shared a single hostel room.
Today’s handover brings the number of families allocated homes at the project to 2 200.
Construction started in 2017. The project is planned to deliver 12 799 housing opportunities in four types:
6 500 fully subsidised (BNG) houses
3 500 units under the Finance Linked Individual Subsidy Programme (FLISP) for first-time buyers in the gap market
2 000 social housing rental units
799 bonded houses.
In addition, 1 066 serviced stands have been released under the Rapid Land Release Programme, so qualifying residents can build their own homes. Twelve military veterans have received stand-alone houses.
The department has installed bulk water, sewer, electricity and road infrastructure, including new intersections built with SANRAL and Gautrans. A community hall, sports facility, taxi rank and business centre have been completed. This financial year, electrical reticulation for 2 190 units has been completed, along with paving and boundary walls.
Beneficiaries come from informal settlements across Merafong, including Sonderwater, Crossroads, B-Section, Chiawelo, New Mandela, Joe Slovo and Rest in Peace, and from backyard households in Khutsong, Carletonville CBD, Wedela and Fochville.
The project is named after Elijah Barayi, a mineworker, trade unionist and the first president of COSATU, who spent his life fighting for the rights and living conditions of working people. That legacy carries particular weight in Merafong, a community built on mining.
Premier Lesufi called on residents to protect their new homes and make the development a symbol of community pride, not of 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,” said Premier Lesufi.
MEC Motara congratulated the beneficiaries and warned against the unlawful sale, rental or misuse of the houses. Under the Housing Act, a subsidised house may not be sold within eight years of acquisition unless it is first offered back to the provincial 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,” said MEC Motara.
The department is working with Merafong City Local Municipality to finalise the outstanding municipal approvals needed to issue title deeds to phase 1 beneficiaries, and to hand over the completed community facilities to the municipality.
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