Over the past five years, property developers Pasi Mojaki and Siyabonga Makhamba have quietly transformed the housing landscape in South African (SA) townships through their company, Ekasi Noble Property Development. To date, the duo has built more than 500 properties, providing opportunities for people who would normally be excluded from the housing market.

Their mission is simple but ambitious; to offer South Africans, even those with poor credit histories, the chance to own their own homes. Many township residents are unable to access bank loans due to blacklisting or low credit scores, often resulting from financial missteps earlier in life.

“When we started, we wanted to give people a second chance,” said Pasi Mojaki. “We saw families forced to live in cramped conditions because the system made property ownership inaccessible. Our goal was to create an easier path to owning a home while helping people improve their credit scores along the way.”

Siyabonga Makhamba explained how they bypass traditional banking restrictions. “Many people in townships are blacklisted, often for reasons they didn’t fully understand, like a clothing account opened in high school that went unpaid. Fixing a credit score is a long, difficult process. We designed a plan to fund homes ourselves, allowing people to afford property despite their credit history.”

By providing access to property and supporting clients in rebuilding their financial standing, Ekasi Noble has created opportunities that many thought would remain out of reach.

“Banks operate with their own rules and risk assessments, which is understandable, but it leaves many hardworking people stuck in the same circumstances,” Makhamba added. “We wanted to change that.”

The company’s work is a testament to the importance of inclusivity in SA’s housing market, giving thousands of families the chance to achieve the dream of homeownership, a milestone that signifies stability and opportunity for generations to come.

–ChannelAfrica–