Residents in Johannesburg's affluent Kelvin suburb are objecting to a proposed social housing development, citing strained local infrastructure despite its aim to bridge the inequality divide between Sandton and Alexandra. The R375-million project by the Johannesburg Social Housing Company forms part of an 8km corridor alongside the larger R18-billion Bankenveld City initiative. Objections highlight issues like water shortages and traffic congestion, though the company insists on adequate approvals and community engagement.
The stark inequality between Johannesburg's Sandton and Alexandra townships is set to be addressed through two ambitious developments spanning an 8km corridor from Sandton via Marlboro, Kelvin, and Buccleuch to Bankenveld. The first is the Johannesburg Social Housing Company's (Joshco) R375-million project on Erf 54 Kelvin, featuring 16 four-storey blocks with 384 apartments for social rental. Joshco describes it as part of its mandate to provide affordable housing near employment centres, targeting tenants earning R1,850 to R22,000 monthly to foster mixed-income neighbourhoods and spatial integration.
However, the Kelvin Residents Association (KRA), representing 1,300 households, has filed a formal objection to the rezoning from Residential 2 to Residential 4. They argue that local infrastructure is already overwhelmed, with water throttling three times a week and uncertainty over electricity supply from Eskom or City Power. KRA deputy chairperson Fiona Seedat emphasized, “We are not objecting to social housing; we also objected to a proposed upmarket development because of infrastructure problems.” Residents also decry the loss of the site's communal open space, used as a park, meeting area, and informal worship site, which may contain historical graves noted as Begrafplaas on the title deed. Additional concerns include increased traffic on narrow streets, potential property devaluation— with no local homes selling below R1-million—and the proximity of the Bankenveld project, which will add 8,000 social housing units.
Ward councillor Lori Coogan, from the DA, supports demands for transparency: “Our duty is to ensure the process is transparent, consultative and procedurally fair. The DA supports responsible development that balances housing needs with infrastructure capacity.” Joshco spokesperson Nthabiseng Mphela reported 497 objections considered by the Municipal Planning Tribunal on 10 September 2025. She confirmed approvals from Joburg Water and Eskom for bulk services, along with endorsements from the Johannesburg Roads Agency for developer-funded upgrades based on traffic studies. Mphela noted robust public participation, including newspaper notices and direct letters to neighbours, aligning with the City's Spatial Development Framework.
A few kilometres away, the R18-billion Bankenveld District City on the 290-hectare former Wits University Frankenwald site began infrastructure rollout in 2025. Transferred in 2024 to a public-private partnership led by Eris Property Group and Calgro M3 after decades of legal disputes over its 1905 educational bequest by Sir Alfred Beit, the project will include 20,000 to 30,000 housing units from R500,000 to R1.5-million, 500,000m² of commercial space, and social housing components. One-third of the land is reserved for parks, schools, and clinics, with a boulevard linking to Marlboro Gautrain Station. Both developments fall within the Jukskei River catchment, raising environmental worries about pollution, though plans include riparian rehabilitation and erosion controls.