Speech by the City’s Executive Mayor, Patricia de Lille, at the sodturning ceremony to mark construction of residential units in
Hangberg
Premier of the Western Cape, 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.
The City of Cape has committed itself to the broad goals of redress and
reconciliation.
The community of Hangberg has historic reasons for being included in this
programme.
Most of the residents of this community felt the harsh end of policies of racial
separation and discrimination.
And their community has sometimes acted as a gateway for criminals and
the drug trade to enter broader Cape Town – elements which bring with
them terrible and far-ranging dynamics.
In 2010, the relationship between government, the police and the community
of Hangberg suffered a serious breakdown.
Since that time, and the sadness and pain experienced by all parties, the
provincial and City governments have committed themselves to adhere to
the court ordered mediation process.
In that regard, we have worked with the Peace and Mediation Forum to
make peace in this community possible.
We have held numerous meetings and engaged in a healthy exercise of
give-and-take in our efforts to respect one another through a broad
programme of collaboration.
I would like to take a moment to praise the members of the forum: your
commitment and drive, your passion and integrity have inspired us to work
tirelessly to meet our goals.
And so after these short years of working towards a common objective, we
have finally arrived at this significant day where we begin cement our
relationship for the future.
We have undertaken to build a new community together, and this morning
we commit ourselves to the first act of that project with this sod-turning.
In order to alleviate the housing problem within the Hangberg community,
the City of Cape Town purchased four sites in Hangberg for the provision of
affordable accommodation in the form of Community Residential Units
(CRU), Council rental stock.
Currently the City only has approximately 200 existing rental units in
Hangberg.
The development of the first two sites zoned General Residential will provide
an opportunity for us to build 142 Community Residential Units in close
proximity to employment opportunities, transport routes, social amenities and
schools within the existing surrounding area.
The CRU development will provide a safe and clean living space for the
families of Hangberg, which will include grassed and play areas in an
enhanced landscaped environment.
The CRU development in Hangberg represents an important part of
rebuilding a community where there are serious and significant challenges
relating to conflict resolution and pressing social issues.
The project will be over two phases and is set to create 142 housing
opportunities in Hangberg.
The first phase for the construction of the CRU is set to begin in early February
2014, and will create 71 units on its completion.
Civil works and bulk infrastructure will be installed first before the buildings are
started, with overall construction expected to take approximately 15 months.
This first phase is to cost approximately R39 000 000 (incl. VAT) with numerous
Expanded Public Works Programme jobs being created during the project.
The second phase will commence on the second site once further approvals
have been granted, and a construction tender process followed, which is
expected to be in the middle of 2015.
In conclusion, I think that these initiatives show our commitment to peace in
Hangberg and our commitment to the people of this community.
They are an example of the power that is possible when government and
communities work for a better future.
Indeed, they show that progress is possible, together.
Thank you, baie dankie, enkosi.