Pretoria – The Mayor of Tshwane, Dr. Nasiphi Moya, has handed over eight newly built houses to residents of Bronkhorstspruit.
Mayor Moya and Palesa Coal Mine on Tuesday, 22 July 2025, handed over the houses to Bronkhorstspruit residents as part community upliftment initiative.
“Today, as we hand over eight newly built houses to residents of Bronkhorstspruit, we do far more than just distribute physical structures,” said Mayor Moya.
“We hand over hope, stability, and the affirmation that no one is forgotten, especially those living in rural and historically underserved areas like Zithobeni, Rethabiseng, and Ekangala, within Wards 102 and 104.
“This is a very special occasion, a day that speaks directly to the heart of what public-private partnerships should be about. The development of the community.”
In doing so, Mayor Moya said the City of Tshwane commits to the restoration of “our people’s dignity, creation of opportunity and the building of a society where every citizen feels seen, supported, and valued”.
Mayor Moya added: “Just yesterday, the MMC for Housing & Human Settlements, Ald Aaron Maluleka, handed over title deeds to the people of Stinkwater in Hammanskraal.
“Included among those recipients was a 99-year-old Sophy Aphane.
“It is never too late to restore the dignity of our people.”
The mayor said earlier this year, “This administration handed over 447 homes to 447 families in Olievenhoudtbosch Ext 60.
“This is a demonstration that this government is serious about giving people dignified homes and security of tenure.
“Today’s handover ceremony only serves to enrich our bold and ongoing efforts to bring meaningful, sustainable change to the lives of Tshwane residents.
“Particularly those who continue to live in precarious conditions, be it in shacks, mud houses, or overcrowded informal settlements.
“This morning is the result of a shared vision between the City of Tshwane and our valued private sector partner, Palesa Coal Mine, a subsidiary of Hosken Consolidated Investments.”
The mayor said through this partnership, “we are demonstrating what becomes possible when government and the private sector come together” with a common purpose to uplift communities and deliver lasting impact where it is needed most.
The Memorandum of Understanding signed between the City of Tshwane and Palesa Coal Mine called for the construction of 20 houses in Region 7, specifically Bronkhorstspruit.
“To date, 11 houses have been completed, and three of those have already been occupied,” the mayor revealed.
“Today, we officially hand over the remaining 8 homes to their new, deserving beneficiaries.
“These beneficiaries are elderly-headed households, child-headed households, and residents who, for years, have lived in structures unfit for human habitation.”
Mayor Moya explained that their selection was the result of a comprehensive and compassionate process led by the municipality, supported by social workers and our dedicated local councillors.
“Many of them had long given up hope of ever receiving formal housing,” she said.
“They had, on numerous occasions, applied for RDP homes — only to be met with silence, delays, or empty promises.
“Today, we change that narrative. Today, we say to them: You matter. Your struggle is seen. And your dignity is worth fighting for.
“I would like to take a moment to express our sincere appreciation to Palesa Coal Mine, which has been operating in the Bronkhorstspruit area since 2009, just 37 kilometres from where we stand.”
The company’s participation in this initiative is part of its Social and Labour Plan (SLP), which aligns with its responsibility to contribute positively to the development of communities within its area of operation.
“For the City of Tshwane, our involvement in this partnership is not only a demonstration of our commitment to social justice and infrastructure delivery, but also a fulfilment of our Constitutional mandate,”‘ said the mayor.
“Section 152 of the Constitution tasks municipalities with promoting social and economic development and improving the quality of life of all people in their jurisdictions.
“Furthermore, this initiative aligns with the National Development Plan, which calls on all spheres of government to work collaboratively to provide housing, water, sanitation, and basic services to every South African.
“As the City, we were responsible for identifying the stands and ensuring that bulk services, such as water, sanitation, and electricity, were in place ahead of the construction phase.”
She said this work is a testament to what can be achieved when responsibilities are clearly defined, timelines are respected, and partnerships are grounded in accountability.
“Beyond today’s handover, I am pleased to confirm that the City of Tshwane’s 2025/2026 budget has allocated significant funding to fast-track service delivery in Region 7, which includes Bronkhorstspruit and surrounding communities,” she said.
“Specifically, we have set aside R15 million to improve the electricity supply and infrastructure in the region.”
This funding will go towards:
• Formal grid connections for residents in Zithobeni Heights,
• Strengthening of overhead electrical networks across Zithobeni, and
• The replacement of aging and unreliable electrical cabling in the area.
“We understand that access to reliable electricity is not a luxury, but it is a necessity for education, safety, economic activity, and the overall wellbeing of our residents,” Mayor Moya stated.
In addition to electricity upgrades, the City of Tshwane has also budgeted over R88 million for the provision of bulk water and sanitation infrastructure in Region 7.
The breakdown of this allocation includes:
• R3 million for toilet reticulation in Ekangala.
• R25 million for the refurbishment of the Bronkhorstspruit Water Purification Plant, and
• R15 million for the upgrade of the Ekangala Waste Water Treatment Works.
“These projects are life-changing investments in the physical and social infrastructure of our communities,” the mayor said.
“They create jobs, restore dignity, and lay the foundation for future development.”
