Embrace the new mega cities

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 by size and to add insult to injury, because of its mining history, some land is not suitable for habitation. This has left the province with minimum land.

With a backlog of housing that is around 600 000, 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 is working with the private sector to initiate a programme of densification when building.

Densification has brought a

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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 CBDs and regarded as temporary shelter for those working in the cities.

New mega cities Riverside View and Clayville have dispelled these notions. Clayville in Ekurhuleni, near Tembisa and Ivory Park, has changed the skyline.

It is also important for residents to warm up to the idea of living in high-rise buildings with communal yards. Let us all embrace the change that is set to improve our way of life. We publish letters that come with full name, address and telephone number even if you want to use a pseudonym. letters@citizen. co.za, fax 010-492-5386 or PO Box 43069 Industria 2042

Luzuko Pongoma