Executive Mayor, Amos Masondo, talks to Selebaleng Hlapi, of Godisile Construction and Thandiwe Yatha, beneficiary of the programme to build backyard rooms in Orlando East (Photo: Enoch Lehung, City of Johannesburg)

RELATED LINKS: Housing THE Housing Act of 1997 (Act no.107 of 1997) mandates municipalities to implement housing programmes and projects in their area of jurisdiction, and in accordance with their approved integrated development planning process Read more Proper housing for thousands by next year THOUSANDS of families living in shacks across the city will have proper roofs over their heads by the end of next year, says the City Read more

Premier Mbhazima Shilowa at the launch of the 20 Townships programme The official launch of the province's 20 Townships programme

Orlando to benefit from 20 Townships programme Orlando in Soweto has been identified as a prime target in the 20 Townships programme, which aims to improve living conditions and eradicate backyard settlements. September 14, 2006 By Tammy O'Reilly ORLANDO in Soweto is one of 20 communities that will benefit from Gauteng's master plan to eradicate backyard settlements and improve the quality of life of residents. The 20 Townships programme aims to ensure the creation of sustainable communities with basic facilities such as roads, clinics, work opportunities and efficient transport systems, according to Gauteng premier Mbhazima Shilowa. He was speaking at the launch of the programme in Tembisa on Wednesday, 13 September. However, the main focus of the programme is to get rid of backyard rooms. These are usually makeshift rooms housing families who pay rent to the landowner, and in some cases get access to services like water and electricity. The programme will also assist the communities in formalising rental agreements between landlords and tenants. There are about 35 000 families living in this manner in Johannesburg and a pilot project has already begun in Orlando, where 750 homes are being built to accommodate families who live in backyard rooms. "Our emphasis is on building safe and sustainable communities where all residents have decent shelter with the necessary facilities such as roads, clinics, schools, sports and recreation facilities, access to work opportunities and a vibrant and supportive community life," said Shilowa. He added that for Gauteng to reach its targets of a global city-region, government had to make a commitment to rejuvenate communities that are being overlooked. The townships that have been prioritised are mostly old locations that were established after forced removals from areas like Sophiatown and Vlakfontein in the 1950s and 1960s. Although many have formal housing, other elements that contribute to a thriving community like health facilities and business nodes are either non-existent or are in a state of decay. This is mainly due to factors like neglect, vandalism and people's reluctance to invest in townships because of the perceptions of crime or poor access to the areas. The 20 townships are: Atteridgeville, Boipatong, Bophelong, Daveyton, Duduza, Kagiso, Khutsong, Katlehong, Kwa-Thema, Mamelodi, Mohlakeng, Munsieville, Ratanda, Refilwe, Rethabiseng, Saulsville, Sebokeng, Sharpeville, Soshanguve, Soweto, Tembisa, Tsakane and Wattville. Permission to use web site material Publishers may use material from this site free of charge, as long as: Credit is given to either the "City of Johannesburg website (www.joburg.org.za)" or to "Johannesburg News Agency (www.joburg.org.za)"; If the article is used online, a link is provided to the original article on this website; The name of the article's author is acknowledged; The webmaster is informed of how and where the material is used (fill in this brief online form). Johannesburg News Agency is operated by BIG Media at 011-484-1400 Print this Page E-mail this article to a friend Help using Joburg.org.za