Housing project creates jobs

Residents of the 31-year-old Freedom Park informal settlement finally welcomed the start of construction three weeks ago and not only are they happy to see their houses being built, they are also relieved about the temporary job opportunities for unemployed residents.

Four years ago the groundwork was laid for new homes for the residents of Freedom Park (“Freedom Park upgrade finally begins”, Southern Mail, April 14, 2021).

The informal settlement will be replaced with Breaking New Ground (BNG) homes.

The project, which commenced in February 2021, is a major upgrade for 159 families.

It will provide sewer and water connections for each residence, black-top roads and stormwater services.

They had moved into the temporary units in Ottery to make way for the City to complete construction on a new R24.6 million housing project (“Hope at Freedom Park settlement”, Southern Mail, July 28, 2021).

Keith Blake, community leader, who had been instrumental in fighting for Freedom Park residents rights to have a roof over their heads, said he was glad construction is in progress and that jobs have been allocated to the residents. “They have appointed a new CLO (community liaison officer) as well.”

Mr Blake had been taking the responsibility for many years, to communicate with the City of Cape Town, to demand clarity on who and how many residents are on the housing list and if they will be getting the first option to get a job.

The new CLO Mzamo Botile said he has been living in a shack for 17 years. He is married and has one child. He said he was happy to get a job as it was stressful being unemployed.

He said his duty is to communicate with the construction workers and the construction company. “I have a group of 19 people working with me and mostly youngsters. So far there have been no hiccups."

Charlene Dampies, a community leader, said there is progress at the construction site, and she was happy to see them laying a foundation to finally start building.

Ms Dampies said she was happy the young men got jobs and hopes that women would also get an opportunity to work at the site, to put bread on the table.

However, after living at Freedom Park for 20 years, Ms Dampies said: “Many people have been waiting for their houses for over 30 years. Some older folks have already passed on.”

Dennis Buggs, a 73-year-old community leader, has been living at Freedom Park for almost 30 years. He said moving into his own house would be a good new start in his life. “I have faced many challenges, and this will be a change in my life, with one benefit: it will be my own house.”

After facing challenges such as floods and fires, Mr Buggs said his place had never caught alight, but unfortunately, he had to help his neighbors in recent fires.

Mr Buggs said in times of crisis, he would always assist his neighbours. “I am there for the community, and I would be the one running around, calling out for help, and making that phone call to the right people.”

He said he will be sharing his home with two of his children and his grandchildren. “I’m glad my children will benefit from the house if I’m no longer around.”

William Akim, Ward 66 councillor, said: “The residents will be moving into the new houses in batches and other old structures must be demolished.”

However, he did not provide the date of the completion of the housing project, at the time of publication.