November 2013
CONSTRUCTION WORLD
32
The award-winning Klarinet
Ridge Integrated housing
development received much
attention as the first fully
integrated housing project in
Mpumalanga Province.
CONSTRUCTION IS ONGOING,
with 70% of
the civil and electrical infrastructure for phase
one completed and the balance planned for
completion by the first quarter 2014. Almost
1 600 subsidised houses have been com-
pleted and approximately 1 300 are already
occupied by beneficiaries.
In the affordable, bonded side of the
development, 100 stands havebeen soldwith
another 40 under conditional sales. Construc-
tion has started on 70 of the stands.There are
currently 408 stands available, with a further
1 000 soon to be released.
The Emalahleni Housing Institute
acquired two stands on which they intend
building 104 apartments for a rental scheme.
A further three stands are in the process of
being sold to a private developer, who will
develop a further 200 apartments. Social
amenities currently under construction in
the development include a secondary school,
community library and a clinic being estab-
lished through the Provincial Public Works
Department. A soccer arena is also planned
and will be sponsored by one of the mining
houses in the area. The current building
projects are estimated to be completed in
three to four years.
This urban development will improve the
area in general and will give people dignity
with in-house bathrooms, built-in cupboards,
tiled roofs, and high-quality streets, provid-
ing an overall high-quality life. Homeowners
will form part of a community of salaried
people with most mod cons, and serving as
role models for young people, creating an
aspirational environment.
The integration aspect of the develop-
ment will be further enhanced during the
second phase where a shopping centre is
envisaged as part of the development. With
all the challenges, such as the availability of
infrastructure, securing a clean water supply
and waste-water treatment being resolved
through the enhanced involvement and
participation of the municipality, the entire
Emalahleni district will benefit.
It is a well-known fact that South
Africa has a housing supply and infrastructure
shortage problem. Where there is property
development, there is invariably an issue
with access to finance and infrastructure.
projects & contracts
SITUATED SOUTH OF
Johannesburg’s
CBD, in the Midvaal Local Municipality, the
R24,5-billion, Savanna City Development
will provide over 18 000 affordable housing
opportunities including schools, churches,
commercial opportunities, parks and a
400 ha environmental area.
Basil Read and HIFSA will be working
hand in hand with the Gauteng Depart-
ment of Human Settlements and the
Midvaal Local Municipality to ensure the
1 400 ha Savanna City Development sets a
newbenchmark ineconomic development
and housing.
●
In Emalahleni, and specifically Klarinet Ridge,
various affiliations have been formed with
partners such as mining houses to face the
challenges. Homeowners can buy an entry-
level home, a stand with a modern, comfort-
able house, which can be extended and
improved over time.The entire development
is in line with municipal regulations. Future
plans include a crèche, for which the devel-
oper is seeking Corporate Social Investment
(CSI) partnerships for building and operating
the facility professionally.
The development is on track and expand-
ing, providing much-needed homes for
the community and offering truly modern,
cosmopolitan living, providing people with
dignity. Housing is so much more than just
shelter; it is about safety, status and family.
●
Integrating property development
into the community
From left: Des Hughes (Basil Read), Davina Piek (Basil Read), Albert de Klerk (Midvaal Local Municipality),
Bongani Baloyi (Midvaal Local Municipality), Sarah Webb (Old Mutual – HIFSA), and
Thom Peeters (Midvaal Local Municipality).
Launching Savanna City
Basil Read and the Housing Impact Fund of South Africa (HIFSA), the R9-billion
affordable housing fund created by Old Mutual, DBSA and the GEPF, signed
the final approvals on 16 August 2013 to launch South Africa’s largest privately
initiated, mixed use integrated housing development – Savanna City.
