A planned housing development will see 360 new houses being built in Bonteheuwel, and according to Ward 50 councillor, Angus Mckenzie, these housing opportunities will be exclusively for residents of the area.
Three sites have been identified for this project in Bramble Way, Ivory Street and Jakkalsvlei Avenue/Jasmine Street. Public participation meetings are set to start at the end of April.
On Tuesday March 13, Mr Mckenzie was joined by consultants, project managers and City of Cape Town officials to do site inspections.
“The last housing development in Bonteheuwel happened 20 years ago. I felt an immense sense of pride visiting these sites knowing that soon many families will be swopping a backyard dwelling for a house they can call a home. I must make clear, however, that this does not mean that all backyard dwellers will be getting a house. The houses that will be built will be allocated to those on the housing waiting list. I want to encourage all those on the housing waiting list to update their details at the local housing office,” Mr Mckenzie said.
Although he could not say how much this project would cost, he confirmed that consultants and project managers had already been appointed, and this team would have 18 months to complete their plans.
A team of volunteers will also run a roadshow in the area to encourage unemployed people to register themselves on Sub-council 5’s job seeker database.
“We understand that there are no big building companies in Bonteheuwel, but we want the labour to be drawn from the job seekers database. We will also be running a skills audit. This is to ensure that employment opportunities in these projects are given to the people of Bonteheuwel so that Bonteheuwel builds Bonteheuwel.”
Mr Mckenzie also acknowledged that “a lot of discussions need to happen” to accommodate as many people as possible, where the plan for this project is concerned.
“An example of this includes the Sunday soccer league, which takes place on the piece of land behind the mosque, and which is one of the sites identified for this project. Another concern is the state of the Bramble Way park, which has been severely vandalised, and children need recreation activities. While housing remains a huge challenge with many hurdles, the support of the community and the willingness of leaders, will ensure that together we will make Bonteheuwel a better place.
“Together we will change the lives of the people that call Bonteheuwel home and together we will move forward a community. This is indeed exciting times and while it may not happen overnight it surely will happen very soon,” he said.
He also appealed to residents not to “flood his office or inbox” to secure a house.
“As councillors we don’t allocate houses,” he said.
