​Thembisa Shologu
Gauteng Provincial Government has begun the process of bulk infrastructure assessments for provincial hostels. The project is expected to be completed by April 2023. 
The Gauteng Hostel Redevelopment Strategy identifies bulk infrastructure as critical to the government's ability to change the face of hostels in the province.
Among other things, the strategy is intended to convert existing hostel units into family units and their occupants integrated into the rest of the community to promote social cohesion and oneness.
Human Settlements and Infrastructure Development MEC Lebogang on Tuesday met with Hostel Izinduna in Midrand to discuss bulk infrastructure over-crowding, refurbishments, and general improvement of the living conditions. 
The meeting forms part of the elevated provincial government priorities, which seeks to safeguard Township, Informal Settlements and Hostels (TISH).
There have been ongoing discussions between the provincial government and Izinduna regarding the deteriorating condition of hostels and a general need for a combined effort to uplift the lives of those living in hostels and transform hostels into mixed-family units. 
"We are using this important meeting to forge a working relationship between Government and Izinduna. We are starting with assessing the capacity of bulk infrastructure because, with the bulk infrastructure, we will be able to expand these hostels.
"We want to transform hostels and build integrated communities by identifying land within a specific radius of each hostel and will immediately be busy with feasibility studies in this regard," said MEC Maile.
Maile said government wanted to invest more, not just in hostels but also in informal settlements in the townships because a lot of people resided in these areas while the infrastructure was ageing and the backlog was huge.
"Currently, the indications are that we need nothing less than R3 billion; it could be more or less.
"We do not want to 'thumb suck'. That is why we have appointed professional companies to help with the assessment so that we have a better appreciation and understanding of what is needed," said Maile.
Representing Mamelodi Hostel, Edward Choga said they had a challenge of the illegal invasion of the finished units by people from the informal settlements. 
Choga said the initiative by the provincial government was a step in the right direction, as the municipality was slow in addressing their problems.
"All we want to see is progress. We have been living in the dark for a very long time. Since 2009, only three blocks have electricity out of 29, leading to people making illegal electricity connections. 
"I don't even want to talk about the filthiness in our hostel; you would swear it is going out of fashion. We still live where our roof is asbestos even when it is not good for us," Choga explained.
Ekurhuleni's Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) in Human Settlement, Alco Ngobese, said the different spheres of government came together to address issues to ensure they were habitable with living conditions improved. 
"We hope these meetings will give us the results we want. We ask hostel residents to be patient. We have not forgotten them. 
"We are working on a plan with the provincial government to ensure that their needs are addressed as soon as the money allocation has been done," said Ngobese. 
There are at least 65 hostels in Gauteng; 21 in the City of Ekurhuleni, 22 in the City of Johannesburg and the other number is shared between Sedibeng, the City of Tshwane and Westrand.