New Mega City in one of South Africa’s major metros

The Daggafontein Mega City project in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality is under construction, Minister of Human Settlements, Thembisile Simelane, said.

Simelane shared this information during a question-and-answer session in Parliament about the project.

The Daggafontein Mega City project was launched in 2016 as a multi-billion-rand housing development to transform informal settlements into permanent homes.

It was envisioned as a flagship solution to Ekurhuleni’s housing backlog and growing homelessness and was set to be completed by March 2023.

It was one of 15 mega projects identified by the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements (GDHuS) to deliver up to 18,000 homes.

The homes would range from RDP units and social housing to affordable rentals and bonded properties for middle-income earners.

Beyond housing, the plan promised a self-contained community, with schools, clinics, shops, sports facilities, and even space for urban farming.

In September 2017, former Premier David Makhura, then Human Settlements MEC Paul Mashatile, and former Ekurhuleni Mayor Mzwandile Masina turned the sod.

However, over the next nine years, not much has happened. Newsday visited the Daggafontein Mega City project in October 2025, and there was not much to see.

Some internal roads and services have been completed, including stormwater drains, and water and sewer reticulation.

However, apart from this infrastructure, the sprawling 750-hectare site stood largely untouched. It remained mainly empty veld.

One could see that there were plans to develop the area, but there were no houses or any housing construction.

City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson Zweli Dlamini attributed delays to “issues with service-provider appointments” and funding shortages.

Daggafontein Mega City project making progress – Minister

Member of Parliament, Thokozile Magagula, asked Simelane about the current status of the Daggafontein Mega City project.

The Minister responded, saying construction activities are currently underway and substantial progress has been achieved.

She said this progress included various workstreams to enable the bulk infrastructure required to support future human settlements.

“The project is currently approximately 90% complete with respect to bulk waterline, roads and stormwater infrastructure works,” she said.

Simelane said this progress was achieved despite operational delays primarily caused by adverse weather conditions.

The construction included 13 pipeline chambers, major excavation and bulk pipeline installation works, and integration with existing municipal infrastructure.

She added that there was ongoing collaboration with Rand Water regarding tie-in connections and testing requirements.

Outstanding work includes the completion of bridge stabilisation works at Butler Road and Stanley Road crossing.

They must also still construct 2 remaining chambers, 1 tie-in chamber with Rand Water, and 5 scour chambers.

Asphalt surfacing must also be completed, along with road markings and signage installation, as part of the roads and stormwater infrastructure package.

They must then install approximately 1,020 metres of HOPE bulk pipeline and test and commission the completed infrastructure.

“The contractor and professional service provider remain fully mobilised on site, while ongoing coordination is taking place,” she said.

Simelane said that the city anticipates that the remaining bulk infrastructure works will be completed within the next six months.

“The project is making satisfactory progress towards completion despite delays caused by adverse weather conditions and operational coordination challenges,” she said.

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Daggafontein Mega City project photos from a Newsday visit in October 2025

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