R27-million road upgrade brings hope to Pimville

By Selloane Ntshonyane

• The City of Johannesburg’s R27-million Pimville Zone 9 project will upgrade gravel roads, drainage and access, with completion expected later in 2026.

• Residents say years of gravel roads have brought dust and mud, while rainwater has entered some homes and made walking difficult.

Pimville Zone 9 residents are hoping a R27-million road upgrade will finally end their daily battle with dust, mud and rainwater.

The Johannesburg Development Agency is upgrading gravel roads in the Soweto community on behalf of the City of Johannesburg.

Residents say they have waited a long time for better roads and hope the latest work will make it easier to move around their neighbourhood.

Johannesburg Development Agency Public Relations Specialist Elias Nkabinde said the project is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2026.

For residents like 53-year-old Jemina Kabi, the work cannot come soon enough.

She said the condition of the roads becomes particularly difficult when heavy rain hits the area.

“The road affects us. When it’s raining, the water gets into our houses. The street has been under construction for three years, and contractors have been changed,” Kabi said.

The problem is not limited to rainy days.

When the weather is dry, residents have to deal with dust.

When the rain arrives, the same roads become muddy and difficult to walk on.

Lereko Mphuthi, 30, walks along the roads every day on his way to work.

He travels from Pimville Zone 9 to Klipspruit, where he catches a taxi.

For him, simply getting to public transport means carefully watching where he walks.

“I have to watch my steps when walking, otherwise you would think I never washed my feet or shoes,” Mphuthi said.

The Johannesburg Development Agency said Pimville Zone 9 was selected because its gravel roads needed upgrading.

Nkabinde said the project is expected to improve access and road safety while also dealing with stormwater problems.

It should also improve connections through the community.

Before residents can enjoy the finished roads, workers first have to prepare the streets for paving.

The work includes installing kerbs and improving drainage.

Better drainage could bring much needed relief to residents like Kabi, who said rainwater has been getting into homes.

The project has also created work opportunities in the community.

According to Nkabinde, six opportunities have been created for small, medium and micro enterprises.

The project has also created 30 Expanded Public Works Programme jobs and 20 employment opportunities for young people.

Nkabinde said residents should see several improvements once construction is finished.

There should be less dust during dry weather and better access when it rains.

Improved roads should also make it easier for vehicles to move through the area.

That includes emergency services which may need to reach residents quickly.

For people who walk through the neighbourhood every day, the improvements could mean fewer battles with muddy shoes and dusty streets.

For families affected by rainwater, improved stormwater drainage could make an even bigger difference.

Residents have already endured years of difficult road conditions and construction.

Now they are hoping the R27-million project will deliver the proper roads they have been waiting for.

If work is completed as planned, Pimville Zone 9 residents should have upgraded roads before the end of 2026.

Pictured above: Gravel roads in Pimville Zone 9 are being upgraded as part of a R27-million City of Johannesburg project.

Image source: Supplied.