By Sydney Masinga
Emalahleni - An agreement has been signed to build a R1.3 billion integrated housing settlement in Emalahleni (formerly Witbank).
Representatives of the Emalahleni Local Municipality, ABSA and the Mpumalanga Department of Housing have signed an agreement to build the Klarinet housing project on 280-hectares of land, starting in January.
"Funding for the project is derived from subsidies from the provincial department, while top up funds will come from ABSA and Emalahleni," said ABSA spokesperson Ajith Bridgraj.
The development will be built over six years.
A total of 6 247 subsidised housing units, 2 322 apartments, 3 900 bonded housing units and a range of social facilities and amenities including schools, clinics, community centres and a cemetery will be built. The area will also have its own shopping mall.
Klarinet will be developed by ABSA Property Development, or Absa Devco, and is part of the national housing department's Breaking New Ground initiative.
All the parties involved in the project wanted to create a quality work-live-play environment to promote the development of sustainable, non-racial societies.