Kanana residents to continue receiving housing opportunity

Yesterday, Western Cape Human Settlements Minister, Tertuis Simmers, met with Kanana residents in Gugulethu, where he once again reaffirmed his commitment to assist them with a housing opportunity, and to set the record straight about the number of residents that had to benefit from the Forest Village catalytic project.

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 thank the national deputy ministers and City of Cape Town’s MAYCO member for the factual engagement with Kanana residents. We remain committed to assisting the balance of the 150 residents that are to move to Forest Village, particularly since 75 has already taken occupancy of their homes.

On 27 March 2020, the Deputy Minister of Human Settlements, Ms Pam Tshwete and I, will return to Kanana to announce who the initial 25 beneficiaries are that will move to Forest Village. At the end of April, the remaining 50 will be announced. This will conclude the 150 Kanana residents that had to benefit from the Forest Village catalytic project.

It is vital to point out, the 800 from the Airport Precinct that are to benefit from Forest Village, comprises of residents from Kanana, Barcelona, Vukuzenzele, Lusaka, Gxagxa and New Rest.

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.

Now that residents are empowered with the facts, I trust they will not allow themselves to be duped into believing anything else, particularly by characters who are spreading inaccurate information, seeking to cause unnecessary chaos.

I also 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.”