Statement by the City’s Executive Mayor, Patricia de Lille
Sea Views CRU now a Hangberg success story
Note to editors: the following speech was delivered by City of Cape Town
Executive Mayor, Patricia de Lille, at a ceremony today to hand over keys to
the new Sea Views Community Residential Units in Hangberg, Hout Bay.
Premier Helen Zille
Members of the Mayoral Committee
Councillors
Members of the Hangberg Peace and Mediation Forum
Honoured guests
Ladies and gentlemen
Good afternoon, goeiedag, molweni, as-salaam alaikum, shalom.
In 2011 we committed to complete the Sea Views development here in
Hangberg as part of our Integrated Development Plan
We saw and felt the dire need of our people for upliftment and redress in this
area and immediately prioritised delivery.
We all know that it has not been an easy road.
We have all walked a very long way to reach this historic milestone today.
Right from the beginning, we had to contend with many differences and
difficulties.
We have had to stand firm in the face of numerous detractors.
After years of strained relations and a complete breakdown of trust between
the community and government, we came together to sign the Hangberg
Peace Accord, which was an order of court, and to establish the Peace and
Mediation Forum.
On that day in September 2011, I asked that our signatures be the pact that
underpins our commitment to one another.
I asked that that commitment pave the way for us to build an inclusive city,
together.
Engagements between the City of Cape Town, the Western Cape
Government and the Peace and Mediation Forum took place on a monthly
basis for the last few years, led by myself and Premier Helen Zille.
We learnt that before we could build houses, we needed to build trust.
I want to thank the Peace and Mediation Forum for their courage and hard
work.
Thank you for the leadership you have shown and for the humility with which
you took on this responsibility.
The Sea Views project is now a Hangberg success story.
It is testament to what is possible when we see challenges as an opportunity
to work together and unify around our common goals.
A working relationship of mutual respect and consideration had to be the
real foundation of any development here.
We never said that it would be easy, but I am sure that today we are in
agreement that it was definitely worth it.
Today we can all share in a sense of accomplishment, and take pride in
making good on the commitments of the Peace Accord.
I want to thank the community for giving us the chance to prove ourselves.
To the beneficiaries, I want to say: Welcome to your new homes.
The families of Hangberg now have a safe and clean living space to call their
own.
This includes grassed and play areas in an enhanced landscaped
environment where you can create new memories with your children.
In line with our approach to prioritise transit-oriented development, this
complex is situated in close proximity to employment, key transport routes,
social amenities and schools.
We are not only committed to rebuilding this community, but also to giving
you the opportunities to rebuild your lives.
The first block of 26 units will be handed over in mid-December 2015, and the
remaining 45 units by April 2016.
I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Project Steering Committee
for their work in recommending the source areas for the housing projects.
For this specific development they worked with us to ensure that all potential
tenants for the new project were residents already living in Hangberg.
I am sure that you witnessed the beautiful mosaic mural on the surrounding
wall when you entered Sea Views this afternoon.
The idea was to create a memorable visual impression while also providing
the community with new skills that they could use to access opportunities in
the future.
I believe that this artwork symbolises what we have achieved here today.
We have taken many separate pieces and put them together to create one
cohesive and integrated entity.
Many fragmented opinions and ideas have come together in pursuit of a
shared goal, which we have now achieved together.
This is the beginning of a new chapter here in Hangberg.
I look forward to our continued success as we work together to renew this
community.
I thank you. God bless.