The long-awaited upgrade of Tafelsig Clinic is finally set to begin early next year, following years of frustrating delays that saw budgets repeatedly rolled over, Subcouncil 12 heard at its last meeting of the year.
Project manager Jude Carolissen told the meeting on Thursday 20 November that tender difficulties have been resolved and an agreement has been reached with a contractor to begin construction after the builders’ holidays in January.
Carolissen outlined an ambitious timeline that will see the majority of work completed during the current financial year, with final completion scheduled for September 2026.
“We’re looking at handing over the site after the builders’ holidays in January. The work will then continue through until May 2026,” he said.
The first phase will focus on the first-floor extension and preparatory work on the ground floor, with the project wrapping up between July and September 2026.
Budget breakdown
The project will require significant funding across two financial years. Carolissen revealed that R7 million will be spent in the 2025-’26 financial year, utilising the entire USDG budget allocation plus some additional funds.
A further R3,2 million will be needed from July 2026 to complete the final phase of construction.
IN OTHER NEWS: Millions invested to transform Mitchell’s Plain sportsfields
Ward 82 councillor Washiela Harris, who has been fighting for the clinic upgrade since taking office in 2019, expressed cautious optimism mixed with frustration over the years of delays.
“The proposal sounds very nice, but for me, seeing is believing, hearing is no evidence,” Harris said. “It was very, very frustrating to me where all the money was just rolled over each and every year.”
Harris insisted on being included in all future meetings and decisions regarding the project.
Councillors demand oversight role
Both Harris and fellow councillors emphasised their need to be involved in all aspects of the project going forward, citing their oversight responsibilities.
“We are the oversight, so we were supposed to be included when this tender was awarded,” one councillor stated. “We can’t give approval if the officials decide what’s happening at the facility.”
Subcouncil manager Solomon Philander welcomed the progress and set a firm target date for the clinic’s opening.
“To the launch of Tafelsig clinic on the 1st of October 2026. I want to put it on the record. The first of October, it will be all done,” Philander declared.
He praised the improved communication and urged all parties to work together to ensure successful delivery of the project.
Carolissen committed to including ward councillors in all future discussions and meetings. He will meet with clinic staff and the contractor in the coming weeks to finalise the decanting plan and work sequencing to minimise disruption to ongoing operations.
Additional procurement processes will begin in February next year for specialised items including lifts and steel stairs.
