The City of Cape Town’s construction of the first 93 units of the 463 rental apartments which are being built in Langa is nearing completion.
Approximately R100 million has been spent thus far on the construction of the 15 blocks comprising the 93 two-bedroom units. The City hopes that the first of the beneficiaries will be able to take occupation in time for the start of spring. The 463 units which are being built on the Old Depot Site in Langa form part of the first phase of a project which will ultimately see the construction of more than 1 300 units in the next five years. During this phase of the Langa project, which comprises two phases, the 463 households will be relocated from the hostels to these secure two-bedroom apartments which all come with individual kitchenettes, toilets, showers and solar-heated water systems, wash-lines and space for children to play safely in the grounds. “We regard this as one of the largest redress projects in the Western Cape and our vision of eradicating the horrific apartheid-era hostels is visibly being realised,” says Benedicta van Minnen, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements.“Apart from the physical build, we are, however, also trying to contribute to the building of strong family bonds which were shattered in many instances as a result of the National Government policies and legislation.
Some of these families have been living in the terrible conditions prevailing in the Langa hostels for the past 40 years and not only am I proud of the progress that has been achieved, but also of the partnership that has been fostered between the City and the beneficiaries,’ Van Minnen adds.
