“If our concerns are not addressed this development will not go ahead,” is the threat from several outspoken Sir Lowry’s Pass community leaders who are members of the South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco), with regard to the R101 Million Sir Lowry’s Pass housing project.
“All we want is for our concerns to be addressed by the City of Cape Town,” said Sanco leader John Magwebu.
Together with other Sanco members, Derico Jackson, Lionel Benjamin, Dorcas Shopane and Riaan Hendricks have raised objections to some details of the development.
They claim that the City will pay unfair wages to workers under the Expanded Public Works Programme, the 10% Targeted Enterprise Contract Participation Goal is not enough, and a sewer line is being built under homes and will buckle under already severe pressure. “The City is giving people a liability instead of hope,” said Magwebu.
“There’s been a serious lack of engagement between the City and the community. They are just not prepared to address or even hear our concerns. Since 2015 the project never moved forward, there were never meetings, and now it’s breaking ground. We want to be heard.”
In a statement and in response to questions, Councillor Malusi Booi, Mayoral Committee member for human settlements, said the City received a letter from Sanco listing its concerns and complaints, which was replied to on Tuesday 8 March earlier this year, addressing all concerns raised at the time. “Furthermore, regular Public Engagement Committee (PEC) meetings are being held where feedback to the community is given,” he said.
“The PEC is the officially elected representative committee from the community and in this project includes members from Sanco.”
Booi confirmed the internal civil services have been 99% completed and the construction of the top structures is expected to begin this month.
The project is expected to be completed in mid-2024, if all goes according to plan, and would provide 307 units for approved beneficiaries.
Booi reiterated that monthly PEC meetings are being held to keep the community informed of progress on the project.
In response to some of the Sanco concerns, he stated that Sir Lowry’s Pass Village has a registered EPWP project and the contractor is currently not only paying more than the national approved EPWP rate, but more than the national minimum wage. “Targeted enterprise allocation is calculated as a percentage of the value of the contract. It is a requirement of this contract that enterprises located within the target area, which is Sir Lowry’s Pass Village, be engaged by the contractor for the provision of supplies, services or works necessary for the performance of the contract. “The contract stipulates 10% of the value of the contract be allocated for these targeted enterprises. The contract also requires that 30% of the value be subcontracted to Exempt Micro Enterprises (EMEs) and Qualifying Small Enterprises (QSEs),” he explained, and added that sewer lines are being constructed between the top structure and the erf boundary, not underneath the unit.
Asked how any delays can be avoided, Booi stated that the City will continue to engage with residents.
