Minister Madikizela Launches Multimillion Rand Housing Project in Eersterivier

On Wednesday, 21 June 2017, Minister Bonginkosi Madikizela launched the multimillion Rand Forest Village Housing Project in Eersterivier with a sod turning ceremony. The event was marked with much elation from community members, contractors and stakeholders in attendance.

 “We are here to launch a massive project that will benefit a number of people. This project is for older people and people living with disabilities – the most vulnerable in our communities are a priority to government. Community leaders must assist government in identifying vulnerable and deserving beneficiaries. This project will also address the problem of those people that earn too much to get a free house and too little to get a bond” said Minister Madikizela.

The City of Cape Town Mayoral Representative, Anda Ntsodo, urged the community to work together with government in making sure this project is completed on time. “As the community you must make sure you do not entertain people who have a tendency of blocking and sabotaging projects, toy-toying slows down service delivery. Communities must speak to us if there is a problem” said Ntsodo.

The Forest Village Housing Project commenced in 2015 and will be a mixed-use development consisting of various types of housing opportunities, including affordable housing. This development will accommodate community members from areas such as Driftsands, Mfuleni, Eersterivier, Malibu Village, the Conifers, Bernadine, Fairdale and Faure.

The ceremony did not only mark the commencement of the construction phase of the project, but also the completion of the bulk earthworks and installation. The Forest Village Housing Project will yield 4820 housing opportunities in the area, with approximately half allocated to Eersterivier beneficiaries and the other allocated to N2 Gateway beneficiaries.

Minister Madikizela added that the project will also empower emerging contractors and thanked all the stakeholders currently working on this project, including both public and private sectors. The Forest Village Housing Project is estimated to be complete by 2020, with a total project budget of R1.5 billion. 

The project is also part of the broader investment which the Department of Human Settlements is making in the delivery of housing opportunities in the Western Cape.