New Homes for 150 Beneficiaries in Masakhane
Residents of Masakhane in Gansbaai celebrated when receiving their long-awaited homes from the Western Cape Minister of Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers and Executive Mayor of the Overstrand Municipality, Dr Annelie Rabie on Friday, 10 March 2023 to commemorate Human Rights Month.
The Masakhane Integrated Residential Development Programme (IRDP) consists of 296 erven and cost R98 million. Altogether 150 units are completed thus far, and the first group of beneficiaries moved into their homes over the weekend. The second phase for the remaining 145 units will commence during April 2023.
On delivering her speech, Mayor Rabie thanked the community and councillors for their patience, support and trust in allowing the Department and Municipality to successfully deliver the housing project, through implementing agent MCape and contractor Power/Lucon Construction JV.
“At long last you and your children have a place you can call home; protect what you have and don’t sell your key because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” the Mayor encouraged.
She used the opportunity to enlighten beneficiaries as to why it is important to draw up a will so that “this valuable asset will remain in your family’s possession for generations to come”. Mayor Rabie invited the beneficiaries to visit her office or ask their ward councillor should they need help drawing up the necessary documentation.
Following on the hand-over event, a delighted Councillor Theodorah Nqinata said that she thoroughly enjoyed being part of such a momentous day where residents of Ward 2 finally became proud owners of their own houses.
She also thanked the Housing Planning and Project Management section of the Infrastructure and Development Directorate as well as the Housing Department for their role in the administrative process.
It needs to be mentioned that the ‘paper work’ for such a Residential Development is a slow and tedious process.
The pre-planning funding application was submitted to the Department of Human Settlements (DoHS) during 2012; the Town Planning approval (LUPO) was issued during March 2018 and the installation of civil infrastructure commenced during February 2019.
And then a hick-up: After commencement it was found that 42 sites were occupied by informal settlers and the scope of the project was reduced to 254 sites which were completed during December 2019.
After relocation of the informal settlers, installation on the remaining 42 sites commenced during February 2021 and was completed during June 2021. Shortly after that, the approval for the construction of top structures was received during September 2021.
Speaking on the day’s proceedings Minister Simmers said: “Today my heart is filled with joy as we brought smiles and hope into so many people’s lives. This was made possible by the collaborative efforts of the two spheres of government as well as these communities. I can truly say we have restored hope in the communities of Gansbaai.”
“I commend all parties involved as we managed to deliver 250 homes in Masakhane and Blompark within 18 months of turning sod. A display of urgency at the forefront of service delivery” concluded the Minister.
