A new chapter in the fight for dignified housing began on Friday, 9 May 2025, as the City of Johannesburg officially launched the R27-billion Southern Farms Mega City Project, offering renewed hope to thousands of residents in the south of the city.
Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero, accompanied by MMC for Human Settlements Mlungisi Mabaso and other city officials, handed over the Bushkoppies site in Region G to the community — the location where the long-awaited housing development will rise.
“Today is more than just a groundbreaking — it’s a breakthrough for justice and human dignity,” said Mayor Morero at the event, addressing excited residents and community leaders.
A Decade-Long Struggle for Shelter
The Southern Farms development is the direct result of over a decade of activism. The seeds of the movement were planted back in 2013, when grassroots organisation Abahlali base Freedom Park began mobilising local residents to demand government action against overcrowded conditions, informal housing, and service delivery failures.
Although the project was initially launched in 2018 as the Southern Farms Biodiversity Development Project, years of administrative delays, funding concerns, and political inertia stalled meaningful progress — until now.
“This is a victory that belongs to the people. They never gave up, even when promises were broken,” said community activist Thuli Maseko, who has been part of the campaign since its inception.
What the Southern Farms Project Promises
The Southern Farms Mega City Project will be one of the largest housing developments in Johannesburg’s recent history, promising to transform over 1,200 hectares of land into a vibrant residential hub with:
- Thousands of mixed-income housing units
- Improved road infrastructure and public transportation access
- Schools, clinics, parks, and commercial spaces
- Green corridors to preserve biodiversity in the area
The project aligns with the City of Johannesburg’s Integrated Development Plan and seeks to address growing urban sprawl, especially in Region G, one of the most under-serviced areas in the metro.
Voices from the Community
The mood at Bushkoppies was electric. For many residents, especially those from informal settlements like Freedom Park and Slovo Park, the event represented long-awaited justice.
“I’ve been living in a shack for 12 years. This is the first time I feel like government is listening,” said resident Sizwe Molefe, who attended the land handover ceremony with his family.
Despite optimism, some community leaders have called for transparency and ongoing public engagement to ensure the promises are delivered.
“We welcome this progress, but we will keep holding the city accountable. We need homes, not headlines,” said Nomvula Khanye, a local housing rights advocate.
Conclusion
The launch of the Southern Farms Mega City Project is more than just an infrastructure investment — it’s a testament to the power of community mobilisation, resilient advocacy, and the right to housing enshrined in South Africa’s Constitution.
As development breaks ground, all eyes will remain fixed on how effectively and equitably the City of Johannesburg delivers on the hopes it has reignited.
