Joburg South’s R27 Billion Mega City Project Begins – What Does It Mean for Residents?
Johannesburg has officially launched the R27 billion Southern Farms Mega City Project. This is a game-changing initiative aimed at addressing the city’s chronic housing shortage while promoting economic upliftment and environmental sustainability. After years of delay and community frustration, construction is finally underway in the Bushkoppies and Devland regions of Joburg South, offering new hope to residents in areas like Diepkloof, Freedom Park, Eldorado Park, and Naturena.
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The Mega City Project : A Long-Awaited Turning Point
First introduced by the Gauteng provincial government in 2018, the project remained dormant for years due to administrative setbacks and stalled funding. Originally branded as the Southern Farms Biodiversity Development Project, the plan is now back on track. Officials broke ground on 9 May 2025, marking the formal handover of the Bushkoppies Site Camp in Region G.
This large-scale development spans 4,000 hectares and is designed to provide 45,000 housing units, surpassing initial estimates of 43,000 units. The housing development is the cornerstone of the city’s plan to reduce its massive housing backlog, exacerbated by rapid urbanisation and informal settlement growth.
“This project is about dignity,” said Cllr Mlungisi Mabaso, MMC for Human Settlements. “It restores faith by ensuring our residents are seen, valued, and housed decently.”
The Mega City Project is More Than Just Houses: Building a Community
The Southern Farms Mega City is not simply a housing rollout-it’s a holistic, mixed-use urban development. Seven distinct precincts will include schools, clinics, taxi ranks, roads, and essential infrastructure. Added to this are seven local neighbourhood parks, six multi-purpose sports courts, a local library, and two home affairs offices. These amenities aim to create a liveable, sustainable community that supports residents well beyond the provision of shelter.
“This is not just about homes,” said Executive Mayor Cllr Dada Morero. “We’re building an inclusive future-one that ensures dignity, opportunity, and progress for every resident of Joburg South.”
Jobs, SMMEs, and Training: Economic Revival in Action
Economic empowerment sits at the heart of this mega-project. Officials expect the project to unlock thousands of job opportunities and boost SMMEs (small, medium and micro enterprises) through contracting, procurement, and service delivery during the decade-long construction process.
Cllr Nomoya Mnisi, MMC for Economic Development, encouraged residents-especially youth, women, and persons with disabilities-to engage actively with the opportunities. “We want to see communities not just housed, but thriving,” she said.
The city’s finance MMC, Dada Morero, reinforced the vision: “Our commitment is to ensure that the Southern Farms community benefits not only from housing but also from the business aspect of this project.”
Eco-Conscious and Future-Focused Planning
According to consulting firm NEWURBAN, Southern Farms will preserve natural features like wetlands, streams, and farmland. The phased land-use cycle also includes plans for agriculture, solar farms, and natural area protection, blending urban growth with biodiversity and environmental stewardship.
Despite challenging terrain, the Southern Farms Biodiversity Project was designed with sustainable integration in mind. It seeks to strike a balance between development and conservation, ensuring long-term viability and climate-resilient infrastructure.
Keeping the Vision on Track
To protect the project’s integrity, city leaders appealed to residents to guard against land invasions and illegal activity. Support the appointed developer. Refrain from anything that could stall progress,” said MMC Mabaso.
The project is being developed by Sephahaphaha Trading and Projects, led by Sedima Moseamedi, who expressed hope that the initiative will spark local economic development and entrepreneurial growth across Johannesburg South.
Strict but Fair Housing Allocation
On beneficiary management, the City emphasized strict compliance and transparency. “No one will receive a house unless they’re on the verified housing database,” Mabaso stated, making it clear that only pre-approved residents will benefit.
A New Era for Joburg South?
The R27 billion Southern Farms Mega City Project signals a bold step forward for Johannesburg. After years of unfulfilled promises, the city is finally delivering on its vision of an integrated, inclusive, and empowered urban future.
With construction in motion, residents can now look forward to new homes, employment opportunities, and social infrastructure that promise to reshape the southern corridor of the city.
If completed by its projected 2026 milestone, Southern Farms may become a national model for how large-scale urban development can transform not just land, but lives.
