SA Affordable Housing November - December 2018 // Issue: 73 | Page 29

PROJECTS
amalgamation of nine towns, many of which have
degenerated over time. To address this issue, the city has
come up with the GEAR 2030 strategy – a plan focusing on
urban renewal and urban regeneration of inner cities.
Regarding this, social housing is a catalyst for the
promotion of urban renewal and urban regeneration of
inner cities.
According to Morgan Pillay, EHC CEO, there is a whole
thrust within Ekurhuleni to start looking within the inner
city. Increasingly Ekurhuleni will start looking at inner city
old buildings and to what extent these buildings can be
converted for rental and social housing. “That’s going to be
a big thrust for us going forward in the sector,” Pillay says.
This project is perfectly located within the Germiston inner
city, providing easy access and well located within reach of
socio economic facilities such as the Germiston Fire Station.
As part of promoting integration and identification within
the city, the project is not only focused around the social
housing units, but also the development of a new fire station.
“In terms of the GEAR 2030, there are plans to integrate
the fire station precinct to be a place that will epitomise
integration where people can live, work and play within the
Germiston inner city,” Mojapelo adds.
Pillay echoes the sentiment, adding that the location has
relative access to job opportunities schools and transport.
“Chris Hani Village is a very special project, as the name
suggests it has a particular remembrance of the role that
Chris Hani played. Certainly, we want to see that project
play that role in terms of how people interact in their space
of home in work and play. For me it has the best location of
many social housing projects.”
Another unique aspect of the project is the look and feel
of the units. “Those that live in these units are very fortunate
people,” explains Pillay. A main focus of this project is to
create units that are nice and liveable for people. Pillay adds
that the type of finishes and the type of product created at
Chris Hani made for a very superior product and says that it
is probably the first and last time something like this can be
achieved due to the cost limitations.
UNIQUE PROJECT
A rainwater harvesting system used for irrigating the garden.
As with any major project, challenges are to be expected
and the Chris Hani Village project also had its fair share of
challenges. “Just like any other construction project, we
had some challenges regarding the fast tracking of
payments in the project, which had a ripple effect. If the
contractors are not paid on time then the workers are not
paid on time,” explains Mojapelo. Community unrest from
service providers, labourers and emerging contractors on
site also proved to be another challenge.
Most of the challenges were around payments not
reaching labourers on time or as agreed. As a result,
labourers were not willing to continue with work until
such issues were resolved. “With the assistance of the
www.SAAffordableHousing.co.za
CHALLENGES OF THE PROJECT
One of the two bedrooms in the unit.
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2018
27