Soweto’s Diepkloof hostel is to be demolished, the Gauteng provincial government confirmed in a statement on Thursday.
This follows the announcement by Gauteng minister of housing Nomvula Mokonyane last week that the hostel would be torn down and that 1 086 family units would be built in its place.
The project, which is due to begin in August this year, is part of the government’s plan to rehabilitate hostels in Gauteng.
“The MEC [provincial minister] also emphasised that the project calls for urgent action since the conditions are inappropriate for people to live in.
“The hostel is one of the oldest in Soweto and has been a home to thousands of residents over the years. Living conditions in the buildings have over time declined, and overcrowding and health and safety hazards have been reported,” the statement said.
According to the provincial government, during the demolition process more than 850 residents will be relocated to different greenfields projects in Johannesburg.
The government had decided to demolish the Diepkloof hostel and build houses because it was not financially viable to upgrade the old building due to its condition, according to the statement.
Mokonyane added that the situation was a crisis and that the tender process should be fast-tracked to revitalise the area and provide better living conditions for the residents.
“The project is aimed at improving the lives of ordinary people. It also bears economic advantages since skilled and unskilled workers will be hired from the demolition stage up until the building of new houses,” the statement added.
About R8,7-million has been allocated for the project by the provincial government, with the City of Johannesburg contributing a further R2-million.
The first phase of the project is expected to be completed in March 2008. — I-Net Bridge