Airport Precinct Informal Settlement project

Tertuis Simmers, the Western Cape Minister of Infrastructure, remains dedicated to ensuring that dignified housing opportunities are provided to the intended beneficiaries from the communities of the airport precinct informal settlement.

Comprising of nine communities, the airport precinct informal settlement is divided into the following areas: the main site (Kanana, Barcelona, Europe, Vukuzenzele and Lusaka), airport infills (Lusaka Infills, Gxagxa and New Rest), Tsunami and Thabo Mbeki. Within this project, the Western Cape Department of Infrastructure intends to build 7 800 houses. Recognising that much of the land is not adequately serviced, Minister Simmers’ department has allocated a budget of R3,2 billion to undertake land rehabilitation, bulk services, internal services and top structures during the various phases of the project. Additionally, the airport precinct main site is on a historic landfill site that requires rehabilitation through land remediation.

Due to the high population density in these areas, the department has identified greenfield land parcels for transitional relocations of residents as part of the de-densification process. The greenfield land parcels are Welmoed Estate (Penhill), Ithemba Farms, Airport Precinct (Airport Infills – Luyolo and Tambo Square), Kosovo (Farm 694 and Weltevreden Wedge) and Forest Village. Relocation to the greenfield sites necessitates active participation and consent from all stakeholders. However, the relocation process has encountered challenges, leading to project delays. For instance, the illegal occupation of greenfield land by informal farmers at Welmoed Estate (Penhill) has limited construction of bulk civil and electrical engineering services, as farmers will not relocate to alternative land and they are preventing access to continue with construction on the property itself. The department has constructed temporary alternative residential accommodations for all residents requiring assistance on the property, but the impasse with the farmers must be resolved first.

It is important to note that the department has prioritised the relocation of 800 beneficiaries from the southern corridor areas (greater Airport Precinct) to Forest Village in order to facilitate the development of the southern corridor. This commitment includes relocating 75 of the most vulnerable beneficiaries, including the elderly and those with disabilities, through a joint effort by Minister Simmers and the Deputy Minister of Human Settlements Pam Tshwete. As of now, the department has successfully relocated 799 out of the 800 beneficiaries, aligning with the southern corridor target set during the March 2020 meeting between Minister Simmers and the airport precinct community. Furthermore, while this project aims to benefit many qualifying beneficiaries from these areas, progress is dependent on the relocation of the 3,000 qualifying beneficiaries to create space for land rehabilitation, which will help unlock the development of the airport precinct.

Highlighting the significance of a collaborative partnership between the department and the community, as well as their elected leaders, Minister Simmers stated, “My department remains committed to the promises we made to the communities of the airport precinct project. We have an approved designated budget for the project, which will benefit 7,800 households. However, for this to materialise, as we have communicated previously to our community partners through their leadership, the relocation of the 3,000 qualifying beneficiaries to the identified greenfield sites is essential. We are also addressing the unlawful occupation of Welmoed Estate (Penhill) by some informal farmers”.

Speaking on the memorandum received from the Taiwan community, the Head of Department Jacqueline Gooch said: “We acknowledge that the Taiwan community, one of the oldest informal settlements in the Cape metro, handed a memorandum to the department, raising concerns in respect of living conditions and service delivery such as lack of refuse collection, violent crime and poor lighting. The department has undertaken to escalate these matters to the City of Cape Town, the South African Police Services and Eskom – where appropriate.”

HOD Gooch added; “From a development perspective, the Project Steering Committee (PSC) and Taiwan community were informed that the land-use planning application was submitted, after various amendments, in September 2022 to the City of Cape Town. Approval of the application is pending. The department has planned for and made budgetary provision on the current business plan for the implementation of the Taiwan development, once the development rights have been approved and the City is able to commence with the implementation phase. A meeting with the PSC and broader Taiwan community has been scheduled for Saturday 15 July 2023 to further communicate processes and respond to any questions.”

Reflecting on the importance of keeping the community well-informed, Minister Simmers stated, “I welcome any member of the community who seeks information or has questions regarding the progress of the project to reach out to my office. We are dedicated to providing transparent and comprehensive updates in the form of communication that best suits your preferences.”