New affordable lofts spark hope for Katlehong housing market

Located at 419 Mabona Street in Skosana, the modern residential complex delivers 21 rental units designed specifically for the “gap market”; households earning too much to qualify for subsidised housing, yet too little to access traditional bonded homes.

A defining feature of the project is the role played by the Gauteng Partnership Fund, which enabled delivery through its development finance model aimed at unlocking opportunities for emerging township-based developers.

Sebenzile Lofts was funded through the Entrepreneurship Empowerment Property Fund (EEPF), a flagship GPF programme designed to dismantle barriers faced by emerging black developers in the affordable rental sector by providing structured finance, technical support and project preparation assistance.

Projects supported under the EEPF must meet strict developmental criteria, including being 100% Historically Disadvantaged Individual (HDI)-owned, demonstrating a commitment to the empowerment of women and youth, being located within Gauteng, and delivering a minimum number of affordable housing units. Sebenzile Lofts fully meet these requirements.

Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements, Tasneem Motara, who led the ribbon-cutting ceremony, hailed the development as a powerful example of township revitalisation through strategic partnerships.

“The successful completion of this project is more than a win for affordable housing; it represents a meaningful investment in the future of our province,” said MEC Motara. “By delivering safe, well-located housing, we are strengthening communities, supporting economic participation and demonstrating what is possible when public and development finance work together.”

The development consists of 18 two-bedroom units and three one-bedroom units, all designed to a modern standard and featuring controlled access to ensure a safe and secure living environment.

Entrepreneur and project owner Mpho Khorombi, who grew up in the area, said the development represents both personal progress and community renewal.

“I grew up in Katlehong at a time when rental accommodation often meant overcrowded backyard rooms with little dignity,” he said. “Sebenzile Lofts is about changing that reality; creating proper homes that respect people and contribute positively to the community I come from.”

For residents, the impact is already being felt. Debra Moyaha, originally from Limpopo province, and one of the first tenants to move in, welcomed the development as a sign of progress. “Finding safe, decent rental housing close to our amenities and transport has always been a challenge. Living here gives me peace of mind and shows that Katlehong is moving forward,” she said.

The project aligns with the Townships, Informal Settlements and Hostels (TISH) programme, which prioritises spatial transformation through densification and quality infrastructure in well-located areas. By supporting developments like Sebenzile Lofts, the GPF is not only accelerating housing delivery but also ensuring that township development produces township entrepreneurs, strengthening local economies and building sustainable property markets.

The lofts are targeted at households earning a combined monthly income of below R22 000, with Sebenzile Lofts expected to serve as a catalyst for similar developments across the region.