KWAZULU-NATAL — The acceleration of KwaZulu-Natal housing delivery took a significant step forward this week as government officials marked critical milestones in both rural and integrated urban development. Through the Maphephetheni Phase 3 Rural Housing Project and the Cornubia Integrated Human Settlements Project, authorities are ramping up efforts to provide dignified living conditions, eradicate informal mud structures, and dismantle the spatial inequalities inherited from the apartheid era.
Rural Development and Mud House Eradication
At the forefront of the rural development initiative is the Maphephetheni Phase 3 Rural Housing Project, located north of Durban. The project is on track to provide decent, permanent homes to 2,286 families by 2028. To sustain this momentum, close to R7 million has been allocated to the project for the 2026/27 financial year.
Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane, KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma, and eThekwini Municipality Mayor Cyril Xaba are leading the handover of these housing units to qualifying beneficiaries.
The handover underscores the Department of Human Settlements’ renewed commitment to restoring dignity in rural communities, specifically through the eradication of mud houses. This local effort is part of a broader national directive, with the government having set a target to eradicate close to 7,000 mud houses across the country.
Integrated Urban Settlements and Economic Access
Preceding the rural handover, the focus shifts to urban integration with the Cornubia Integrated Human Settlements Project Milestone Celebration in eThekwini, led by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday, 29 October 2026.
Cornubia represents a modern approach to urban planning, designed to address spatial inequalities by developing integrated communities that offer improved access to essential services and economic opportunities. The development is expected to deliver a total of 12,593 housing units. This includes fully subsidised Breaking New Ground (BNG) housing, First Home Finance options for the “missing middle,” and social housing.
According to the Presidency, the development has already delivered close to 3,000 fully subsidised housing units since its launch more than a decade ago. Beyond residential structures, the project incorporates vital social infrastructure, including a school, retail outlets, and recreational facilities.
Highlighting recent progress, the Presidency noted that Cornubia recently welcomed the first group of 2022 flood survivors into their permanent homes, with the construction of an additional 146 housing units expected to be completed by December 2026.
Strategic Collaboration and Emergency Accommodation
President Ramaphosa’s visit will also highlight the critical role of strategic partners in fulfilling the constitutional mandate to provide adequate housing. During the visit, he will be joined by Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli, KZN Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma, and eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba.
Additionally, the President is scheduled to visit Montclaire Lodge, the first government-owned Temporary Emergency Accommodation facility. This facility provides crucial temporary shelter for individuals and families displaced by disasters, adding a vital layer of social protection to the province’s housing framework.
Ultimately, these milestone celebrations underscore the necessity of sustained collaboration among national, provincial, and local government. By aligning local housing projects with the priorities outlined in the President’s 2026 State of the Nation Address, the government aims to accelerate housing delivery, strengthen community resilience, and ensure that more South Africans secure access to dignified living conditions.
