Ward councillor Elton Jansen has given his support for an application by Christel House South Africa to build a no-fee school on a piece of City-owned land in Strandfontein.
The non-profit school group has applied to buy the remainder of Erf 43996, a 5,64-hectare property behind Strandfontein Police Station that is currently zoned for utility use. If approved, the site would be used for a school serving children from Grade R through to Grade 12, catering to families from impoverished communities in Mitchells Plain and surrounding areas.
Jansen confirmed in writing that he has met with Christel House Chief Executive Adri Marais and given his support in principle.
In an email to TygerBurger, his office wrote: “I cannot refuse an opportunity where economically disadvantaged learners can have an opportunity for a brighter future through education.”
He had earlier considered using the site for commercial development, and with this in mind had initially encouraged Christel House to apply for an adjacent piece of land instead. “We will look at other land for commercial purposes,” he wrote. “But this is an opportunity for the poorest of the poor.”
Jansen also visited the school in person.
“Christel House looks after the children from Grade R right through to university and beyond and has a holistic approach to dealing with the child and the family,” he wrote.
Slow-moving process
Despite the groundswell of support, progress has been slow. Christel House CEO Adri Marais acknowledged the delays, saying: “It is so exciting but we are moving forward very, very slowly.”
At the subcouncil meeting on Monday 18 May Jansen confirmed that the public participation process — a required step before any City-owned property can be sold — is currently under way.
Jansen said he had revised his earlier stance on the land. “I’m now supporting the disposal application in favour of education,” he told the meeting, adding that the project would give people in the ward “an opportunity to a brighter future”.
He explained that applying for the land he had originally recommended, which is directly opposite, owned by the province and zoned for education, would take too long and delay the process unduly.
What the City says
James Vos, the Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, confirmed that Christel House has submitted a formal application to purchase the property, and that it is currently at the early investigation stage.
The City is assessing whether the land is needed for municipal purposes. If it is not, and if the application meets the required criteria, the City’s Property Transactions Department will begin the formal sale process.
Final approval to sell any City-owned property lies with the City’s full council, in line with Section 14 of the Municipal Finance Management Act and Regulation 5 of the Municipal Asset Transfer Regulations.
Background
Christel House South Africa is a non-profit organisation that runs no-fee private schools and supports learners from disadvantaged communities. Its model covers a child’s education from Grade R through to Grade 12, and includes up to five years of support after school. The organisation also provides transport and takes a broad approach to supporting both children and their families.
The proposed school would address a shortage of high-school facilities in the Strandfontein area.
Jansen said he intends to engage further with Christel House to explore how children from the local area who meet the school’s entry criteria can be given priority access.
“I am hopeful that our children who qualify for the support will benefit from this project,” he said.
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