President Ramaphosa Issues Heartfelt Apology for Housing Miscommunication in Alexandra

President Cyril Ramaphosa extended a candid apology to the residents of Alexandra for previously creating the false impression that the South African government had pledged to erect 1-million houses specifically for their community. This correction follows a pointed exchange in the National Assembly with Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema.

In 2019, the President visited Alexandra, promising to address the dire housing situation. However, the perception that this pledge was exclusively for the people of Alexandra, rather than a national goal, has proven misleading, leading to public outcry, dashed hopes, and heightened scrutiny from the EFF.

During the confrontational session led by Malema, President Ramaphosa was compelled to clarify the intentions behind his statement. Contrary to the expectations set, the national project had earmarked a fraction of the 1-million homes — 40,000 units — for those in the overcrowded Stjwetla area, which frequently suffers from flood damage.

The circumstances of the housing crisis in Alexandra are complex. With thousands making their homes within the floodplain of the Jukskei River and limited land available for development, meeting housing needs has proven a persistent struggle. This acknowledgment was forefront in Ramaphosa's address, where he emphasized the logistical impossibilities of fulfilling such an ambitious target within the constraints of Alexandra's geography.

President Ramaphosa's words were met with dismay from EFF members, with Malema sharply criticizing him not only for the unrealistic promise but also questioning his accountability. The recent assassination of EFF leader Moshe Mphahlele during protests over Johannesburg Housing Company flats in Alexandra added gravity to the discussion.

The President's concession — that only 240,000 houses were completed out of the aspirational million nationwide — laid bare the government's shortcomings in addressing South Africa's vast housing deficit. Still, Ramaphosa reiterated his commitment to developing housing in the vicinity, laying out plans to build 40,000 homes in Frankenwald and Linksfield as part of amelioration efforts for the citizens of Alexandra and Stjwetla.

Moreover, recognizing the urgent need to protect the vulnerable residents from the dangers of the Jukskei River, Ramaphosa announced an initiative to relocate approximately 8,000 households living in flood-prone zones.

As such, President Ramaphosa did not only apologize for the miscommunication but also shed light on the ongoing measures to alleviate the housing crisis in Alexandra and beyond. It is a reaffirmation of the promise to improve the lives of those tethered to the edges of society, even in the face of severe logistical and environmental challenges.