By Cllr Nasiphi Moya
Executive Mayor of Tshwane
Speech by the executive mayor of Tshwane Cllr Nasiphi Moya.
Honourable guests,
Beneficiaries, Councillors,
Representatives from Palesa Coal Mine and Hosken Consolidated Investments,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning,
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 we commit to:
•The restoration of our people’s dignity;
•The creation of opportunity; and
•The building of a society where every citizen feels seen, supported, and
valued.
Today, as we hand over 8 newly built houses to residents of Bronkhorstspruit, we do far more than just distribute physical structures.
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.
Just yesterday, the MMC for Housing & Human Settlements, Ald Aaron Maluleka, handed over title deeds to the people of Drinkwater in Hammanskraal.
Mayoral Executive & Palesa Coal Mine hand over 8 houses to Bronkhorstspruit
residents as part community upliftment initiative photo supplied
Included among those recipients was a 99-year-old Sophy Aphane.
It is never too late to restore the dignity of our people.
Earlier this year this administration also 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.
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 (MOU) 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 (NDP), 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.
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.
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.
In addition to electricity upgrades, we have 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.
They create jobs, restore dignity, and lay the foundation for future
development.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Today’s handover is part of a broader journey that requires collaboration, trust, and vision.
We will continue to seek and strengthen partnerships with other responsible corporate players in the City who, like Palesa Coal Mine, are prepared to walk this road with us.
Let today be a reminder that government cannot do it alone.
The challenges we face in our communities; from housing backlogs to infrastructure decay, require us to build bridges between sectors, break down silos, and commit to doing the hard work of delivery.
In closing, allow me to thank everyone who made today possible.
From our municipal officials and councillors, to the construction teams, social workers, and most importantly, our beneficiaries, who remained patient and hopeful in the face of many delays and disappointments.
This is your day.
This is your home.
And this is your future.