By Akani Nkuna
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has warned that refurbishing every hostel across the province would financially cripple the provincial government, saying it would be more viable to select one hostel per corridor for upgrades.
“We have spent a lot of money across all five municipalities and we have to balance with the demands of society. To take all municipalities, it will be extremely difficult. We can pick one per corridor,” he said.
“We can pick one per corridor and see if we can at least improve them. But to take all of them, no, it is going to bankrupt the provincial government because the costs are humongous.”
Lesufi was speaking to media during a site visit to Johannesburg’s Inner City George Goch Hostel on Wednesday. The visit forms part of efforts to restore dignity and improve living conditions under government’s Hostel Revitalisation Programme.
He said refurbishments include water reticulation, sewer systems and electricity installations, all of which significantly increase costs.
The George Goch Hostel, owned by the Gauteng Provincial Government, is among those undergoing refurbishment, including Wi-Fi installation, CCTV cameras and roof repairs. Lesufi said while progress has been made, more work is needed to “restore the dignity of our people.”
“The elephant in the room is whether, in post-democracy, there is room to retain single-settler hostels, or whether we should convert them into family units—or both, for those who still prefer single units and those who want to bring their families,” he said.
Lesufi said hostel refurbishment projects have been under way in parts of Johannesburg since 2023, when government committed to upgrading the facilities. He said the George Goch Hostel is currently about 80% complete.
However, he acknowledged “resistance” from some quarters, saying certain conditions persist due to criminal activity and disregard for law and order.
“I believe our people deserve better. And if we claim to be a government and public representatives, you cannot leave people to live in the conditions they were living in three years ago,” Lesufi said.
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