I am very proud to announce that the City of Johannesburg’s Housing department has won a Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements Award at United Nations 14th Annual Session of the Global Forum on Human Settlements in Ethiopia for its South Hills mixed income housing development, south of Johannesburg.
The award was granted during a ceremony in Addis Ababa on 6 September.
The award recognized the South Hills development as a global green model community for its outstanding demonstration in promoting sustainable cities and human settlements as well as the implementation of sustainable development goals.
The total yield of units from South Hills is 6 204, with 408 already complete. It is comprised of RDP units, bonded rental units, community residential units and affordable social housing units. The development is situated along a transport node, with access to more job opportunities. Over 90% of the units will fall within the Financial Sector Charter definition of affordable housing, contributing significantly toward the objective of Diphetogo to our communities.
The forum allowed the City to participate in critical roundtable discussions on safe, inclusive, resilient and sustainable city policies, technologies and practices. These insights are paramount in our efforts to address the inherited housing backlog over 300 000 units.
I want to emphasise that the delegation from the City was warmly received by our hosts and global counterparts. I am honoured to have received this award on behalf of the City of Johannesburg’s Housing Department, during the first forum held on African soil.
The warmth and kindness that experienced on my arrival in Ethiopia was heartwarming. The need for inclusivity and unity is important as we build our country.
I look forward to continue fostering a meaningful and functional partnership with the Global Forum on Human Settlements and associated partners.