Provincial Human Settlements engages Kanana residents about housing opportunity | Western Cape Government

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Provincial Human Settlements engages Kanana residents about housing opportunity

7 July 2020

Yesterday, officials from the Western Cape Department of Human Settlements met with and engaged various stakeholders from Kanana in Gugulethu, which forms part of the Airport Precinct, where it was once again confirmed that 75 of the most vulnerable in the area will be assisted with a housing opportunity in the Forest Village catalytic project.

The stakeholders included the Ward Councilor, Kanana community street committees and the Airport Precinct Project Steering Committee (PSC) members.

The reaffirmation follows the Provincial Minister of Human Settlements, Tertuis Simmers’ visit to the area in March 2020, just before the lockdown, when he went to set the record straight about the number of residents that would be assisted. 

During the March engagement, Minister Simmers was accompanied by the National Deputy Ministers of Human Settlements and Water and Sanitation, Ms Pam Tshwete, of Environmental Affairs, Forestry and Fisheries, Ms Maggie Sotyu, of Rural Development and Land Reform, Mr Mcebisi Skwatsha, along with the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member (MAYCO) of Human Settlements, Mr Malusi Booi. 

Minister Simmers said: “I’d like to thank the community members for submitting 402 names to be considered. I further wish to commend them for their patience and understanding that there are administrative processes that must be concluded before the move can take place. We would’ve liked to honour our commitment of initially announcing the first 25 beneficiaries by 27 March, but due the various alert level regulations, this was not possible.

As the current administrative process is taking its course, we can assure residents that by the end of July all deserving and qualifying 75 individuals would’ve taken occupancy of their homes. It is vital to point out, that Kanana forms part of the Airport Precinct, where 800 residents in total and also inclusive of, Barcelona, Vukuzenzele, Lusaka, Gxagxa and New Rest were to benefit from the Forest Village development.

In due course, I will also engage the other affected communities in the Airport Precinct, to once again reaffirm our commitment to them as well. 

As we conclude this process, I call on residents to endure for a short little while longer. I further call on residents to ensure that no new informal structures are erected as we move beneficiaries out of the area, as this will impede the decanting process of the Airport Precinct.

As the Western Cape Government, we remain committed to accelerating human settlement delivery, while promoting social inclusion through the development of integrated, resilient, safe and sustainable human settlements in an open opportunity and safe society.”

Media Enquiries: 

Marcellino Martin
Spokesperson for Minister Tertuis Simmers
Tel: 021 483 3397
Mobile: 082 721 3362
Email: Marcellino.martin@westerncape.gov.za

or

Nathan Adriaanse
Director Communication & Stakeholder Relations
Tell: 021 483 2868
Mobile: 083 2631720
Email: Nathan.Adriaanse@westerncape.gov.za