>HOUSING Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has launched a R400-million housing project at Olivenhoutbosch, southwest of Tshwane, according to a report on the Business Day website.
"This project will provide decent homes for many low-income people and the poor. We will build on this partnership until all informal settlements are eradicated by 2014," Sisulu said. The project, which is expected to be completed by March 2008, combines the efforts of the national and Gauteng provincial housing department, the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality and banking group Absa. Olivenhoutbosch recently experienced clashes between South Africans and Mozambicans and Zimbabweans over housing and service delivery. Two Zimbabweans died in January, when renewed violence erupted in the area. The development, to be officially known as Olivenhoutbosch Ext 36, will consist of a total of 5 480 units, made up of 1 168 bonded, 3 049 subsidised and 1 263 rental units. It is to be built on more than 180ha of land. "In his recent budget, Finance Minister Trevor Manuel exempted houses with a value of less than R500 000 from transfer duties. This is good news for any aspirant homeowners who now have a much better chance of owning a home," said Absa chief executive Steve Booysen in a statement. Booysen said Olivenhoutbosch was the first in a series of projects Absa would be involved with the government and other role players to help address the housing demands of the country. Related stories:
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