Western Cape Human Settlements Minister, Tertuis Simmers, says he is pleased with the fruitful engagements he had in Hermanus about the Greater Hermanus Housing Development.
Between this past Sunday and yesterday, Minister Simmers met with the Overstrand Municipality, the Greater Hermanus Stakeholders Forum (GHSF) and the broader Zwelihle community to once again reaffirm his commitment to the housing development.
Minister Simmers said: “The past few days allowed all parties to not only raise their concerns, but also to propose and agree on the way forward. I thank all stakeholders for their willing participation and desire to see the project get off the ground. It is critical that we remain united and continue transparent engagements as we move forward.
The planned mixed development for qualifying beneficiaries, will include Finance Linked Individual Subsidy Programme (FLISP), Breaking New Ground (BNG) or free housing, Open-Market units, as well as serviced sites for those who want to build their own houses.
As a first step, the Social Compact for the broader Zwelihle must be elected, with the assistance of the Provincial Department of Human Settlements, so that a true unified voice of this community is represented. The Dubai section have submitted their representatives.
In addition to this, the municipal staff need safe access into the informal area near and on Schulphoek, in order to complete a comprehensive survey. This will assist in determining the exact number of structures and people living there.
This crucial process will commence within a week.
This survey, and not the previous one which is now outdated, will help establish how much funding the municipality will avail in their new budget to ensure that that the much-needed basic services are provided.
On Sunday, the municipality formally agreed to this, and should there be a short fall my department will assist.
I reiterate that this project has the potential to completely transform this area’s landscape. What is most important, is that it will benefit thousands of the most deserving residents in this area.
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.”
Marcellino Martin
Spokesperson for Minister Tertuis Simmers
Tel: 021 483 3397
Mobile: 082 721 3362
Email: Marcellino.martin@westerncape.gov.za