Oude Molen development plans under spotlight

Interested parties have expressed concern over what they said could be another “tick box exercise” as the public has until October 10 to comment on proposed development plans for the Oude Molen Precinct (OMP).

Oude Molen Precinct (OMP) is located within the bigger Two Rivers Urban Park (TRUP) Area. The property is connected via Alexandra Road to the N2 and M5 to the south, and via Berkley Road and the Black River Parkway to the N1 on the north.

Consultants held a public hearing for parties to comment on the Heritage Impact Assessment last week.

Currently Oude Moulen houses several organisations, small businesses, two schools, the Goringhaicona Kraal and stables, among others in green natural surroundings.

In terms of plans for the site, a vision statement mentions “a safe, walkable and sustainable eco-neighbourhood, with compact mixed-use developments, integrating education, inclusionary housing, public facilities and open spaces, while providing equitable access to cultural heritage, productive landscapes and natural reserve”.

Rod Solomon, who runs the “Yes We Can Sport & Jazz Foundation” at the eco village, was in attendance at the hearing. He said this was the “umpteenth attempt” by the provincial government “to get the development of Oude Molen Eco-Village in Pinelands for economic benefit over the line”.

“It was to tick the boxes in respect of a public participation process to get a Heritage Impact Assessment done and get the necessary approval for a major development they wish to do.

“This place is a much needed green lung on the edge of the CBD with significant heritage and historical value in particular for the First Nations.

“This place is so significant that national government selected it as one of the significant sites of Struggle in our liberation route.

“The UN even pronounced on this site. There is currently also a national process under way to declare it a heritage site (either national or provincial).

“The community and various interested groups consistently made inputs in this regard.

“Every time, the consultants listen; go away; draft a report; and then no one hears anything further.

“Their new angle to disperse of the land is seemingly 'affordable housing' after previous attempts failed.

“People need to be wide awake and push back against a government and officialdom who think they can just do as they please. Our heritage and green spaces do have value,” said Solomons.

Khoi leader and convenor for the Save our Sacred Lands campaign, Tauriq Jenkins, who was a leading figure in the legal challenge against the River Club development, said they were concerned that once again the indigenous narrative “will be weoponised as a way to justify inappropriate development incursions”.

“Resulting from the River Club development is a Trojan horse scenario that has created a dystopian precedent that further imperils existing heritage resources on the TRUP.

“Until we come to a communal sense (based on actual meaningful engagement) of what is heritage from a de-colonial framework that centres healing, culture, restorative justice and restitution over profit, political favour, and power, we are done with entertaining humiliating processes.

“In recent times, what has emerged is another heritage chapter of loss, dispossession, and destruction, due to inappropriately large scale developments in the TRUP.

“It is absolutely impossible for the Western Cape government to expect tormented communities to once again engage in processes that are similar, if not identical, to the River Club and somehow imagine that there will be a different outcome,” he said.

Approached for comment on their plans and the processes to follow, spokesperson for Premier Alan Winde, Regan Thaw, did not respond by deadline.

Comment or objection on heritage grounds can be submitted in writing via email to omp@desertbloom.co.za by October 10, 2024.

For more information, visit: https:// www.westerncape.gov.za/tpw/home/oude-molen-precinct-omp

Cape Times