National Minister of Human Settlements NomaIndiya Mfeketo and Provincial Minister Bonginkosi Madikizela today handed over homes in the R1.3billon Forest Village Housing Project.
Situated in the Eerste Rivier area of Cape Town, the project will deliver more than 5 000 housing opportunities for beneficiaries from the N2 Phase 1 Housing Projects as well as beneficiaries from the surrounding communities. The Provincial Department of Human Settlements has so far handed over 1200 homes to deserving beneficiaries since last year.
This project forms part of the Western Cape Province’s Catalytic Housing Projects, the mixed-use, integrated development is strategically located in close proximity to transport nodes, economic opportunities and social amenities. It is the biggest housing development that is currently underway in the City of Cape Town. The entire development is set to be completed by 2020.
Speaking at the event, Provincial Minister Bonginkosi Madikizela said it was an exciting day to hand over keys of the homes to deserving beneficiaries.
“There is no way that a project of this magnitude can go smoothly without facing some challenges. But it is exciting today because, despite the challenges, we have a massive project where many of the houses are already completed. Today we are here to make sure people become homeowners;” said Minister Madikizela.
Minister Madikizela said the reason why the Forest Village Housing Project was such a success it is because of a close working relationship between all spheres of government.
Deputy Minister Zoe Kota-Fredericks urged the beneficiaries to keep their houses beautiful and pleaded with them not to sell their properties but rather keep them for generations to come.
Minister NomaIndia Mfeketo said it was important for the government to strengthen working relations to ensure that there are no informal communities.
Minister Mfeketo: “I know this needs lots of planning and I know it cannot be done by the government only. The citizens of South Africa needs to assist us. We build houses but some people sell their houses for economic reasons and go back to informal settlements. My plea to you is that we must please look after these houses. If people don’t have income, it is easy for them to sell their houses.”
“I’m very happy to see deserving beneficiaries getting houses today. I am confident that the beneficiaries of this project will live together happily in their new neighbourhood,” said Minister Mfeketo.
Photographs available on request.
Mrs Ntomboxolo Makoba-Somdaka
Spokesperson for Minister Bonginkosi Madikizela
Tel: 021 483 4798
Cell: 082 953 0026
Mr Nathan Adriaanse
Director: Communication and Stakeholder Relations
Tel: 021 483 2868
Cell: 083 263 1720