During a recent national assembly session, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa issued an apology to the residents of Alexandra.
This apology followed pressure from Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema, who confronted Ramaphosa regarding his 2019 promise of constructing one million houses for the inhabitants of Alexandra.
Ramaphosa clarified that his 2019 statement was misunderstood. He emphasized that the original promise was a national target over five years, not specifically for Alexandra.
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The President pointed out the impracticality of such a large-scale construction in Alexandra due to its challenging topography and limited space available for development. He admitted that his words may have created a false impression and apologized for any confusion.
During his apology, Ramaphosa explained why constructing one million homes in Alexandra was unfeasible. The township’s limited land availability and its frequent flooding issues make it impossible to support such a massive housing project.
Ramaphosa acknowledged that the national target of one million houses had not been achieved, with only 240,000 houses completed to date. He cited various reasons for this shortfall while reiterating the commitment to improve living conditions nationwide.
In response to the ongoing housing crisis, Ramaphosa announced plans to build 40,000 new homes in Frankenwald and Linksfield.
These homes are expected to benefit the residents of Alexandra and Stjwetla, particularly those living within the floodplains of the Jukskei River. He also acknowledged the urgent necessity to relocate approximately 8,000 households currently residing in flood-prone areas.
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s apology and subsequent explanation highlighted the challenges faced in fulfilling his 2019 housing promise. Despite the setbacks, the government remains committed to addressing the housing needs of Alexandra’s residents and improving overall living conditions through new housing projects.
Ensuring a better future requires transparent communication and concrete action, something Ramaphosa emphasized in his address.
