From left, Minister of Human Settlements Mmamoloko Kubayi, eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba and KwaZulu-Natal MEC Siboniso Duma, launched the Pilgrim X informal settlements upgrading project at Pilgrim in Isipingo on Thursday October 31.
The Pilgrim X informal settlement is being upgraded and is expected to get 404 new housing units.
These will be equipped with metered water, electricity, sanitation, and essential social amenities such as parks, early childhood development centres, and places of worship.
Last Thursday October 31, eThekwini Municipality mayor, Cyril Xaba, expressed his enthusiasm for the launch of the Pilgrim X Housing Project by Minister of Human Settlements, Mmamoloko Kubayi, and KwaZulu-Natal MEC, Siboniso Duma, in Isipingo, south of Durban.
The mayor told the media he was excited about the housing project.
“We are delighted that this project is finally under way, with construction expected to commence in the second week of January 2025. The anticipated completion date is November 2028. What is also important to note is that, this upgrade is strategically located near economic opportunities, schools, healthcare facilities, and other crucial social amenities, addressing historical spatial inequalities,” said Mr Xaba.
Ms Kubayi said the project is funded by the Informal Settlements Upgrading Partnership Grant (ISUPG) and the Human Settlements Development Grant (HSDG), a collaborative effort between national and provincial Human Settlements Departments and eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality.
“This project prioritises in-situ upgrading, enhancing existing settlements without relocation and providing permanent engineering services and secure tenure. I am also encouraged by the fact that eThekwini has made significant progress in upgrading informal settlements. They are effectively utilising a substantial portion of its allocated budgets for the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 financial years,” she said.