The Gauteng government will spend R240 million to develop economically depressed former mining towns in the province.

This was announced on Monday by MEC for Human Settlements, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Jacob Mamabolo, at Grootvlei Mine in Springs after handing over toilets and a farming project to the community.

The community was also given extra taps with the help of the City of Ekurhuleni.

“We have brought in a sponsor in the form of Red Ants Eviction and Security Services, who are going to start a garden with the community. They told us that the land can produce 45 000 cabbages.

“The community will be able to eat and sell some of them for income,” MEC Mamabolo said.

The Department of Human Settlements will also assist the community to register a cooperative with the Department of Economic Development so they can sell vegetables to a number of retailers.

Community leader Jeremia Aphane said the community is very happy with the services government has brought to the area.

“The garden project is more exciting as it has potential to create more jobs. We are going to set up a committee so that we make sure every household has someone who works in it,” he said.