The R25 billion Cornubia Housing Project in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal has officially been opened.

The Cornubia Project is a joint venture between the National Department of Human Settlements, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Human Settlements, eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality and TongaatHullet Development. When complete, the establishment will boast 28 000 mixed income housing units, light industrial factories, retail parks, schools, various businesses and open parks.

President Jacob Zuma, accompanied by Minister of Human Settlements Connie September, KwaZulu-Natal Premier SenzoMchunu, and eThekwini Mayor Councillor James Nxumalo, opened the project at the weekend.

According to Zuma, two Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) routes that will link Cornubia, Umhlanga and the nearby township of Phoenix are planned. The BRT routes will also link the area to the Dube Trade Port and the King Shaka International Airport about 7km north.

The president expressed appreciation the support of the private sector in building a better South Africa. “This project in particular, has succeeded due to the collaboration by all spheres of government, national, provincial and local government. Also important, is the involvement of the private sector, in the form of an important strategic partner, such as Tongaat-Hullet,” he said at the opening.

Zuma said government is working hard on similar projects around the country as part of improving the quality of life of all. He is hopeful that with integrated human settlement projects, government will be able to effectively eradicate a significant number of the informal settlements across various areas in South Africa.