In 2025, Mogale City stands at a crossroads, not only geographically but socially. The ambitious Leratong Nodal Development, a R1.5 billion project launched to redress apartheid-era spatial inequality, promises to reshape how the city grows. But will it truly benefit ordinary residents?
What the Project Aims to Do
The development, located near Leratong Hospital, envisions mixed-use housing, retail, public transport links, and community facilities, connecting previously disconnected parts of the city like Kagiso, Azaadville, and Krugersdorp.
Municipal planners say it’s part of a broader Integrated Urban Development Framework (IUDF) that seeks to bring economic activity closer to working-class communities.
“This is not just a construction project; it’s a human project,” said Cllr. Sipho Molefe, Chair of the Planning Portfolio Committee. “We are creating access, dignity, and opportunity.”
Concerns on the Ground
Some residents, however, fear that gentrification may push low-income families out once property prices rise. Others worry about slow progress, unclear tender processes, and whether local labour is being prioritised.
Community leader Nthabiseng Madumo from Ward 23 said,
“We want development, but we also want fairness. Local people must be part of the change, not just spectators.”
The Bigger Picture
Urban experts say the Leratong Node could become a model of inclusive development, if the municipality ensures transparency, affordable housing, and sustained investment in infrastructure such as roads, waste management, and public transport.
For now, cranes rise above the site, symbolising both progress and promise. The true test will be whether the Leratong Nodal Development connects Mogale City’s communities or continues to divide them.