Today I met with the residents of the school site in Masiphumelele where they agreed to move off the construction site so that the Amakhaya Ngoku development can continue.
This is a significant breakthrough. This agreement has been reached after months of mediation and negotiation with the nine families that have, up until now, refused to move from the construction site since November last year.
The willingness of the nine families to move has averted the need for legal action against them. It means we can now move forward with the Amakhaya Ngoku development that will house 350 families when it is completed.
Most importantly, because development will be allowed to continue, it means that some R15 million of foreign donors funding will remain committed to the project.
This is a victory for common sense. The nine families who have previously refused to move, understand that they cannot hold government to ransom. They realise that stalling the construction of a project that will house 350 families is a lose to lose situation.
In terms of the agreement reached, the nine families will be assisted to move by the City of Cape Town. All services, most notably electricity, will be restored to the informal dwellers at the back of the school site.
This is an amicable solution that bodes well for future co-operation between the provincial housing department and the residents on the school site. We hope that we will be able to continue in this spirit in the interests of all the people of Masiphumelele.
Enquiries:
Zalisile Mbali
Cell: 084 558 9989
Source: Western Cape Provincial Government
