Infrastructure delivery progressing well in Bitou.

On Monday, 28 August, the Western Cape Premier, Alan Winde, provincial Minister of Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers, alongside the Executive Mayor, Dave Swart, and Ward Councillor, Claude Terblanche, officiated the bricklaying event at the Ebenhaeser housing project in Plettenberg Bay.

The ceremony celebrated the milestone of the historic project in New Horizons. A community founded in the late 1970’s, this project ends a long wait for housing opportunities for this community. Construction of Phase 1 commenced in March this year and is expected to be completed in April 2024. It will yield a total of 1642 housing opportunities on completion, which will be delivered over a multi-phased implementation process.

Speaking on the significance of the project in the province’s infrastructure development plan, Premier Winde said: “Through infrastructure development, we are building a world-class, resilient province. However, apart from building up sustainable communities, we are also offering recipients of these homes dignity.”

Premier continued to state “These houses are so much more than just bricks and mortar; they also represent a meaningful investment into a community’s potential. With a roof over your head, one can find their worth. I urged the beneficiaries to take pride in their homes and see them as assets towards providing a legacy for your families and community.”

During the ceremony, the department announced the project is proceeding ahead of schedule and that the first batch of homes can be expected to be handed over before Christmas.

Upon hearing this and acknowledging the department’s role in delivering the project, Ward Councillor Claude Terblanche, shared words of gratitude. “I would like to thank Minster Simmers for remaining true to his commitment despite the challenges faced in structuring and making this project possible. On behalf of the New Horizons community, we want to thank him for providing us with over 1600 housing opportunities.”

Minister Simmers highlighted the importance of transparency in partnerships and placing public service at the forefront. “We faced many dynamics in setting up and delivering this project. However, due to an effective and transparent partnership between the spheres of government and the community of New Horizons as well as its leadership. We were able to design and plan for a project best suited to the needs of this community. I look forward to finally handing over the first set of house keys later this year and beginning a chapter of dignity for this community.”

Following the bricklaying ceremony Minister Simmers proceeded to officiate the ribbon cutting with Ward Councillor Jessica Kamkam to signal the successful conclusion of the Bloukrans Road project, in Bitou Municipality. The R110 million project began construction in July 2021 and officially cleared the site end of June 2023. During this period, 120 jobs, 16 local enterprise and emerging contractor opportunities were created.

Expressing his delight Minister Simmers said, “Through this project we’ve shown the community and businesses of Bitou what we mean by we are a government that is For You. The department allocated R26 million toward the enterprise development in the project. The farmers will now be able to get their goods and products quicker to the market.”

The progress and completion of these projects indicate the Western Cape Government’s commitment to providing all citizens with opportunities to live a dignified life.