Flats will solve scarcity of land

The land issue in South Africa remains a contentious topic that has to be resolved peacefully. For a province like Gauteng, the pace is more urgent as its growing population needs a place to stay.

With 200 000 people flocking into the province yearly, the demand for shelter is ever increasing. The province is the smallest in the country; and to add salt to injury, because of its mining history which is its bedrock, some land is not suitable for habitation.

With about 600 000 housing backlog, the Department of Human Settlements has had to find creative and innovative ways of dealing with the challenge of land and the growing number of people it has to house.

Through its mega human settlements project, the department – working with the private sector – had initiated a programme of densification when building. This has brought a new paradigm in the delivery of houses in the province for the government.

Although flats have been around in Gauteng for many decades, they have been limited to the CBDs and have been regarded as temporary shelters for those working in the cities.

New mega cities – Riverside View and Clayville – which are in the north and east of Johannesburg respectively, have dispelled these notions. Clayville and Ivory Park, both near Tembisa, have changed the township skyline.

It is also important for residents to warm up to the idea of living in highrise buildings with communal yards.

Communities must also dispel the use of stereotypes that insinuate that one will not be in connection with the ancestors when they reside on upper floors. Let us all embrace the change that is set to improve our way of life. Luzuko Pongoma

Naturena