CITY OF TSHWANE ACQUIRES LAND FOR MARRY ME INFORMAL SETTLEMENT RESIDENTS

By Sipho Ncube

• The City of Tshwane Municipality has officially acquired land for the residents of Marry Me Informal Settlement in Soshanguve
• A Steering Committee will oversee the process which will include installation of essential infrastructure and the allocation of RDP houses to qualifying residents.
• The Gauteng Department of Social Development is already profiling households to identify those most in need of support

In a major step toward improving living conditions in informal settlements, the City of Tshwane has officially acquired land for the residents of Marry Me Informal Settlement in Soshanguve. This long-anticipated development promises access to basic services, housing, and job opportunities for thousands of families.

The announcement was made by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi during a Community Imbizo on Wednesday, sparking jubilation among community members. Premier Lesufi emphasized that the land is reserved for current residents of Soshanguve and the Gauteng province.

The formalization of the settlement will be guided by a multi-stakeholder Steering Committee, and it marks the beginning of a broader transformation — from informal dwellings to structured communities with proper infrastructure, social support, and safer environments.

Key Infrastructure and Housing Developments

The formalization plan includes:
• Installation of water, electricity, and road infrastructure
• Construction of 1,600 RDP houses and 800 social housing units in Marry Me and Leseding View
• Upgrading of roads, drainage, and sanitation systems to ensure safe access for emergency and public services
“The city has bought this land for the inhabitants of Soshanguve and Gauteng only. Don’t invite relatives from other parts of the country to come and benefit here,”— Premier Panyaza Lesufi

Jobs and Safety on the Horizon

To tackle unemployment in the area, Lesufi also announced two key job creation initiatives:
• The Teachers Assistant Program, which will employ 32,000 unemployed youth under the age of 35 for an eight-month period
• The Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), set to provide jobs for 150,000 people across Gauteng
Lusufi assured residents that more police officers will be deployed to the area to enhance safety and security.

Social Support and Substance Abuse Intervention

Gauteng MEC for Social Development Faith Mazibuko confirmed that the department has already begun household profiling to identify families in need of Social Relief of Distress (food parcels).
She also encouraged those battling substance abuse to register for the Department’s six-week rehabilitation program, which includes:
• Two weeks of detoxification
• Four weeks of therapeutic support and family intervention
MEC Mazibuko further highlighted the Ke Moja Program, which aligns with the National Drug Master Plan and the Gauteng City Region (GCR) Anti-Substance Abuse Strategy. The initiative aims to:
• Reduce drug demand
• Minimize harm
• Disrupt drug supply in communities

A New Chapter for Marry Me

With land acquisition complete and plans in motion for housing, infrastructure, jobs, and social support, the residents of Marry Me Informal Settlement can look forward to a more dignified, stable, and hopeful future.

The establishment of a representative Steering Committee, composed of community members, youth, government, and political stakeholders, will ensure inclusive oversight as this transformation unfolds.