Kanana Informal Settlement residents in Gugulethu move into new homes

On Tuesday, 23 February 2021, 24 families from Kanana informal settlements were moved into their new homes in Forest Village housing project. Nine (9) of the beneficiaries that moved into their new homes are living with a recognized disability.

Mxolisi Sonjica (43) is one of the beneficiaries living with a disability that was moving from Kanana informal settlement to Forest Village, he said about his new house, “I am very proud of my new house. I have been staying here for 8 years. I am very, very proud that I am moving to a new house today.”

Nomneliso Ntongana (56) whose daughter, Dineo Ntongana (16) who is living with a disability said “I am happy that this day has finally come to me as well. It was like it will never come. It is really a big day for me. I have been staying here for 16 years with my disabled daughter, she was born here. I am happy now I will be staying with her in my new house that has a yard and is safe.”

Nomalanga Ngudle (62) who is the oldest beneficiary said, “I have stayed here since 1994. It has been 27 years I have been staying here. When I started staying here there was no water, electricity and toilets but now I am really happy that I am moving to my new house today.”

Minister Tertuis Simmers said “We’ve now fulfilled our commitment to the 75 residents of Kanana. Seeing the joy on our people’s faces makes me happy, and more so as these are the elderly and persons living with disabilities that are benefitting in this manner. We are caring government that seeks to enrich our people’s lives by completely changing their circumstances.”

This move follows on from the commitment made by the Provincial Minister Tertuis Simmers in the public meeting on 12 March 2020, that the Western Cape Department of Human Settlements will relocate a total of 75 beneficiaries from Kanana to the Forest Village Project in Eerste Rivier. The total number of beneficiaries that would be moved so far after today is 31.

This move also means that the Department will have a clear site for the contractor, Vharanani Property Services to commence with the installation of bulk infrastructure as soon as an adequate portion of the site is cleared for the Airport Precinct Catalytic housing project, launched in 2019.

This housing project will benefit residents living in New Rest, Gxagxa, Kanana, Barcelona, Lusaka, Europe, Thambo Square, Vukuzenzele, amongst other informal settlements.

The Airport Precinct housing project will deliver 9 000 housing opportunities comprising of duplex and multi-storey walk-ups to the greater Gugulethu area and its surrounds. Provision will be made for public open spaces, community facilities and market and play areas.

This development forms part of the Southern Corridor Integrated Human Settlement Programme that will deliver approximately 50 000 housing opportunities to residents within the City of Cape Town upon complettion.