WCGov proposal to redevelop a portion of Tafelberg site

The Western Cape Government’s (WCG) has announced a proposal for the redevelopment of a portion of the Tafelberg site in Sea Point.

COURTESY: Ndifuna Ukwazi

Infrastructure MEC Tertuis Simmers and Social Development MEC Jaco Londt revealed that the Department of Social Development (DSD) has formally requested that the site, previously used as a school, not be considered for disposal while its potential use for social services is assessed.

“The demands on us in 2025 are very different to what they were 10 years ago and the impact of COVID-19 and the economic recession have made continued service delivery in some of the social and public health environments a severe challenge. In line with the Government Immovable Asset Management Act, the provincial Department of Social Development (DSD) has formally requested that the Tafelberg site, specifically the portion formerly used as a school, not be considered for disposal until such time as its possible use for the delivery of a range of social services that are required in that area can be fully assessed. This now makes the property no longer surplus to government requirements.”

Social Development MEC, Jaco Londt, highlighted the increasing demand for social welfare services, including residential services for persons with disabilities and older persons.

“As the economic downturn continues to impact residents and organisations throughout the country, we have seen an increase in demand for social welfare services across our programmes. The Department of Social Development plans to use this opportunity to broaden our social services footprint, particularly to address the shortage of residential services in the province for persons with disabilities, and older persons. The department will be putting out a call for proposal for partnerships to ensure that we’re able to assist our most vulnerable residents”.

Simmers noted that while the obligation to use the site solely for affordable housing has been contested in court, the government is committed to optimizing the site’s development.

“The presumed obligation on the WCG to utilise this site only for affordable housing has been the subject of much engagement before the courts, and this matter is still ongoing. For much of the time that it has taken for the litigation to be finalised, the ability of the WCG to deliver on its constitutional service delivery imperatives as well as its commitment to spatial transformation via affordable housing projects in well located areas, has been restricted due to illegal occupation, such as the orchestrated invasion of the Helen Bowden site, and funding constraints. Unlocking the development potential at the Tafelberg site for the delivery of much needed social services and affordable housing, will result in the optimum use of this site by the government.”

‘’While the Constitutional Court will shortly provide a ruling on the previous disposal process that applied in this matter and may of course give guidance as to how disposal of immovable property by all organs of state is to be applied in the future under GIAMA in that ruling, we are confident that any such judgment will still enable us to utilise a portion of this site, once subdivided, for affordable housing,’’ he added.

Housing activists have expressed concern over the government’s latest announcement, accusing the province of failing to engage in meaningful public participation and delaying affordable housing development.

‘’Particularly in the context of this site, where there had been and remains calls for it to be used for well-located affordable housing to address the unabating housing and segregation crisis in this city. The Province's statement is vague and we still need to understand from the Province what the mixed use affordable housing and the Department of Social Development plans envisage. Truly affordable housing for the vulnerable is what we want to see,’’ said Buhle Booi, Head of Political Organising at Ndifuna Ukwazi.

‘’We question how the Province came to its decision in light of the suspended public participation process that it announced and then unilaterally suspended with no consultation with interested and affected parties or any reason provided for the suspension of that process.’’

‘’The Province's statement is vague on what the purported DSD plans actually envisage and will be seeking further clarity regarding the Province's decision. Truly affordable housing for the vulnerable is what we want to see on the site.’’

“We need a firm commitment to affordable housing on Tafelberg, not mere exploration. Nine feasibility studies on Tafelberg have already shown that affordable and social housing are possible on the site. What is being explored when the housing crisis continues to compound? The Western Cape government must prioritise affordable housing for the vulnerable on Tafelberg to address the urgent housing needs and dismantle the enduring structures of spatial apartheid,’’ concluded Buhle Booi, Head of Political Organising at Ndifuna Ukwazi.

 

Done by: Mitchum George