Churches in Khayelitsha to Get Tents over Easter

The City will erect tents housing up to five hundred (500) people on several Cape Flats sites for Easter church services. After meeting with Khayelitsha church leaders last week Thursday, the City offered to assist them over the important Easter period by erecting tents, at various sites throughout the area, at the City's cost. Church leaders accepted the City's offer on Monday and helped City officials identify suitable sites for the erection of the tents. Several suitable sites have since been identified in the Khayelitsha area in conjunction with the church leaders and some tents have already been erected.

The meeting last week Thursday was held to find short and long term solutions for the community, after the City demolished twenty four (24) illegally built church structures. The erection of tents for Easter is only a short term solution to meet the important community needs over the Easter period. In the longer term the City is in the process of identifying available land on which church structures can be built legally.

Alderman Dan Plato, Executive Mayor of Cape Town, said: "The City of Cape Town understands that Easter is a significant time on the Christian calendar. We therefore put in place a temporary measure to give them the opportunity to gather and worship during this time. The City will continue to engage with Church leadership to find an amicable long-term solution. It must be reiterated that the City does not condone the erection of illegal structures on municipal land and such acts will not speed up the land-allocation process," he said.

Several tents will be erected in the area in time for Easter weekend and will be taken down again on 08 April 2010. Both parties will sign an agreement for this arrangement before the tents are erected. Tents will vary in size, but will on average be able to accommodate approximately 250 people. Toilet facilities will also be provided, free of charge to the community and church leaders, with the City carrying the cost.

City staff have identified several suitable sites already in Khayelitsha and Nomzamo (Strand) on which tents will be erected. Site inspections by City officials to identify potential sites with church leaders have also been done in other areas such as Wes-bank.

Issued by:
Communication Department
City of Cape Town