Westonaria Borwa showcased at the GIIC

“The Gauteng Infrastructure Investment Conference is a partnership in action between government and the private sector and a programmatic commitment to work together to make Gauteng a globally competitive City Region and a preferred destination for investment and tourism,” says Premier David Makhura.

The Westonaria Borwa Mega Project was showcased at the Gauteng Infrastructure Investment Conference that was held last week in Midrand. The Westonaria Borwa Mega Project was displayed as part of the investment projects in the Westonaria Local Municipality as part of the Western Corridor of the Gauteng Province.

The inaugural Gauteng Infrastructure Investment Conference, was a two-day conference aimed to promote mutually beneficial and transformative partnerships between government and the private sector which will contribute in transforming Gauteng into a globally competitive City Region and a preferred destination for investment and tourism.

Over 1000 delegates consisting of high ranking leaders of business and public sector organisations attended what is essentially the first sub-national government conference focusing solely on investment in infrastructure.

The Gauteng Infrastructure Investment Conference (GIIC) aimed to bring together the private sector and government to engage on the Gauteng City Region Infrastructure needs and plans. The GIIC focussed on investment opportunities in the following areas; New Post-Apartheid Cities; Energy; ICT and Broadband connectivity; Aerotropolis; Water and Sanitation and Inner City Regeneration. The conference was a key step towards strengthening partnerships and collaboration between government and the private sector in the quest to build Gauteng as a globally competitive city region and a preferred destination for investment and tourism.

Links in the news:

http://allafrica.com/stories/201507171318.html

http://it-online.co.za/2015/07/22/theres-a-will-to-invest-in-gauteng/

http://www.bdlive.co.za/national/2015/07/22/rdp-model-is-no-longer-in-play

http://it-online.co.za/2015/07/20/gauteng-reaches-out-to-private-sector/

http://www.bdlive.co.za/national/2015/07/17/gauteng-mec-sets-out-plans-for-mega-human-settlements

The bonded show village has been unveiled to the public at a launch function that was held on 26 May 2015 (click on the link to read the story).

There are six house designs on offer:

• Limpopo unit – 45m² (2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom)
• Nossob unit – 50m² (2 bedrooms, 1½ bathrooms)
• Tugela unit – 52m² (2 bedrooms, 1½ bathrooms)
• Sabie unit – 58m² (3 bedrooms, 1½ bathrooms)
• Timbavati unit – 65m² (3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms)
• Knysna unit – 70m² (3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms)

See the bonded page of this website for more details and the low launch prices of the various units.

Also see our bonded launch video that can be viewed on the following link:

https://vimeo.com/96571557

On Sunday 30 November 2014, Gauteng Premier David Makhura launched the handover programme of subsidised houses in the first phase of Westonaria Borwa.  The first 1200 fully subsidised BNG houses, previously referred to as “RDP” units, have been completed and the allocation process formally kicked off with the launch on Sunday.

All were in high spirits and celebration marked the tone of the event.  Along with the Premier, members of the community, Gauteng Department of Human Settlements MEC Jacob Mamabolo, West Rand District Executive Mayor Mpho Nawa, Westonaria Local Municipality Executive Mayor Nonkoliso Tundzi, Westonaria Municipal Manager Thabo Ndlovu, as well as other high ranking officials attended the event.

The Westonaria Borwa Development fully incorporates modern holistic and integrated Human Settlement principles.  Achievement of high development standards could be seen in the fully tarred roads with street lighting, underground electricity, water and sewer connections to every house.

The houses are a testimony of what standards could be achieved including higher standards and durable finishes through effective Government and private sector partnership.

The developer, Crimson King, is now focussed with Government on delivering the next phase of the project, including a further 828 fully subsidised houses, and also the bonded housing, social housing and schools and other facilities in Phase 1.

Once completed, the current approved scope of the development will deliver housing and facilities for over 6500 families and will include a new regional mall, medical centre and industrial park. The developer, Gauteng Department of Human Settlements and Westonaria Local Municipality are exploring development expansion options to enhance further housing delivery and bolster economic development of the area around the intersection of the N14 and N12 routes.

More in the news:

• News 24:

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Gauteng-premier-hands-over-1-200-houses-20141201

•  Sowetan Live:

http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/2014/12/01/makhura-hands-over-1200-houses-in-westonaria

• City Press:

http://www.citypress.co.za/news/david-makhura-hands-1200-houses/

• All Africa:

http://allafrica.com/stories/201412010807.html

• Mining Weekly:

http://www.miningweekly.com/article/gold-fields-hands-over-r27m-houses-in-slp-drive-2014-12-01

• Mining Review:

http://www.miningreview.com/gold-fields-delivers-150-new-houses-for-the-local-community/

The Phase 2 house construction has commenced. The photos below shows the progress made

18 local contractors are currently working on site.

The target for before the end of the year is to have 120 rafts constructed, 60 house structures completed and 40 roofs erected.

July 2014 represented a significant step towards further effective training and development on the Westonaria Borwa Development, with the first formal Life Skills Training courses being given to labourers working on the Project.  Labourers enthusiastically attended the training, which took place at the library in Bekkersdal.

The training was initiated as part of the Developer’s commitment to improving and empowering the lives of those labourers working on the Project, who are from the local communities within the surrounding areas.  The formal training forms part of the broader project training and development strategy, together with more significant on-site/ informal training.  Plans are underway to increase the scope of formal training going forward.

A comprehensive training pack in excess of 100 pages was provided to each trainee by the accredited training provider, Skillsplus Solutions, in addition to detailed lectures, workshopping and interaction between trainees and the facilitator. At the end of the course, each labourer received a certificate, providing them with formal recognition of the skills obtained.

Life Skills Training provides labourers with a positive mindset and outlook to life and work situations, and provides them with a number of skills, approaches and insights to both working and everyday situations, including aspects such as time management, numerical skills, working effectively with others, personal finances, HIV related training, business concepts and other skills. Together with the practical training labourers receive whilst participating in actual construction work on site, such training can also serve as a springboard and enhance labourer’s opportunities of finding permanent employment and improving their quality of life.

Phase 2 of the Westonaria Borwa Development recently commenced, and further construction phases will be implemented in future as the Project progresses.  A strategy to attract assistance from the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements (GDoHS) to implement principles of EPWP on the Development / Project is being formalised.  Should this approach be successfully implemented, increased opportunities and training for labourers and SMME’s will be available on the Project.  Training is envisaged to include Life Skills, Technical and other relevant EPWP related training, and will further demonstrate the Project’s positive contribution to empowerment and job creation in the Westonaria district.

The latest aerial photographs that were taken over the site have been uploaded onto the Gallery Page of the website.

Finishing touches are being done to the 1000 subsidised units in Phase 1. Construction is nearing completion on the 189 units launched under the CCC approach and construction of services in phase 2 is progressing well.

Clearing and grubbing of stands are progressing in preparation of house building.

Water and sanitation in block1 has already been installed and has been signed off and certified by the engineer. Work on blocks 2 and 3 is also progressing well with water and sanitation services being installed.

The roads including the main link roads have been cleared and boxed in blocks 1 to 3.

Work opportunities have been given to local communities.

The photos below were taken earlier this week and show the significant progress that has been made:

COMMUNITY CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT

Construction of the 189 units launched under the CCC approach is nearing completion and the units are planned to be completed during August 2014. The construction commenced in October 2013. (see earlier post for more info)

The process has proven successful and a similar approach is being considered for a portion of future house building on the development.

The photos below show some of the nearly completed units: