Pam Lewis of Sotheby’s International Realty says: "Cosmo City is a pilot development initiated by the local government. It is aimed at young home buyers looking for a better quality of living for themselves and their families who would not usually be able to afford property in this kind of area. Lewis adds that prices for non-RDP homes, which are larger and more elaborately built, range from just under R300 000 to around R600 000.

Schools, sporting facilities, shops and conservation areas are planned for the development which provides the perfect environment for young families — with schools in walking distance from homes and the CBDs of Randburg, Sandton and Midrand within easy reach.

"Cosmo City is opening the way for a new generation of young upwardly mobile working class who, with similar aspirations can live together amicably no matter their language, culture or race. This is definitely the way forward for affordable housing initiatives."

"We foresee Cosmo City being established as a model for other such initiatives throughout the country. Developments of this nature have many positive spin offs including their provision of an entry point for people to the housing market, allowing them to own their own homes, ultimately leading to improved socio-political stability."

Lewis notes that this initiative addresses the government’s commitment to general economic recovery, aligned with the GEAR (Growth, Employment and Redistribution) strategy put in place when the democratic government came into being.

"With construction planned to commence in September we already have more buyers than there are properties which further emphasises the need for this type of development."