Activists have called out the City of Cape Town for delays in the development of affordable housing on the Green Point bowling green.

2 mins read

The Western Cape Bridge Union Club, which is located on the disputed Green Point Bowling Green, will also be rented.

The City has repeatedly said it plans to use the well-located bowling green as a site for affordable and mixed-income housing.

The non-profit organization said in a statement that the City was renting out the space for about R3000 a year for exclusive uses that offered no benefits to the wider Cape Town population or the City.

Ndifuna Ukwazi’s head of organising, Buhle Booi, argues that resistance to well-located and affordable housing is similar to a revenue opportunity.

“If the City follows through on its commitment and develops the site as planned, it will not only provide much-needed, well-located affordable housing, but also generate extra revenue in the form of rates. The City will improve its financial and environmental sustainability by expanding densification,” Booi said.

“The City is not only delaying the development of mixed income housing in Cape Town, but it’s also missing out on millions of rand every year in lost rates revenue because of the fiscal crisis created by Covid-19. Booi said,”

Booi says that if the City of Boise should follow through with its commitment, and provide a clear and implementably plan on how the site would be inclusively developed, it is a matter of urgency.

Attorney Jonty Cogger spoke about their upcoming lawsuit to fight the renewed lease.

It’s frustrating to think of land being used for public benefit while still not having affordable housing. From the context of our serious housing crisis, it’s as upsetting as ever that the city either renege on their promise or is just delaying their plan, once again, to create affordable and mixed-income housing on this site.

“The City spent a considerable amount of money developing plans for the site to be developed for mixed-use housing, and yet these plans have been gathering dust in a filing cabinet in the Civic Centre for several years now,” Cogger said.

Lisle Brown, spokesperson for the city, said that a part of the property had been set aside for mixed-use development, including affordable housing. It was part of the city’s Land Release for Affordable Housing Priority Programme.

The company has leased the building to a crèche, bowling and bridge club for three years with a six-month cancellation clause.

Initially, the lease looked like it would be renewed for another year. After the initial three-year term expired, council had to advertise its intention to renew the lease agreement. This is to ensure that they are complying with state regulations before moving forward on the mixed use development and affordable housing project.

“The comment/objection period closes on November 7, 2022. Public inputs will then be assessed by the Mayor’s Committee and the council. The community will be consulted during the public hearings process.”

The annual tariff of R3000 is based on the ‘social care’ rate charged to welfare, charitable, cultural and religious organizations that are performing community functions on leased property owned by the municipality.

“However, it is not correct that only the rental costs are due to lessees. They also cover the cost of maintenance for the building and property which can be costly for the city.”
Sentence rewriter

Brown said that the City would not have to choose between affordable housing or anything else. The City planned to do both on this property.

A Russian-Spanish journalist and Cape Town native, channels his lifelong passion for South Africa into captivating stories for his local blog. With a diverse background and 50 years of rich experiences, Serjio's unique voice resonates with readers seeking to explore Cape Town's vibrant culture. His love for the city shines through in every piece, making Serjio the go-to source for the latest in South African adventures.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Previous Story

An entire school in Cape Town was stolen brick-by-brick

Next Story

Cape Town is launching a new Highway Patrol Unit in order to improve road safety.

Latest from Blog

Citywide Update of Prepaid Electricity Meters in Cape Town

The City of Cape Town is currently in the process of updating prepaid electricity meters across the metro. This is being done in phases to ensure that all meters are updated before the current software expires in 2024. Failing to update the meters on time may result in customers being unable to recharge and left without power supply.

City of Support: A Generous Funding Boost for NGOs and Arts & Culture

The city council has demonstrated a remarkable show of support by approving an allocation of over R11.6 million in funding to NGOs and the Arts & Culture sector. This significant allocation of funds reflects the city’s unwavering commitment to assist vulnerable groups, enhance social entrepreneurship, and promote cultural diversity.

A Fierce Pursuit of Perfection: The Story of Rhulani Mokwena and Mamelodi Sundowns

Rhulani Mokwena, the head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns, is a man on a mission to achieve excellence. He is known for his unwavering passion for soccer and his dedication to honing his players’ skills to improve their performance. Despite securing the DStv Premiership title this season, Mokwena’s insatiable drive keeps him and his team striving for more.

Determined Government Endeavors to Eliminate Load Shedding

The South African government has expressed deep regret and concern over the ongoing electricity crisis, which has resulted in load shedding and caused hardships for citizens. However, the administration remains committed to enhancing the country’s electricity generation capacity to alleviate the severity of load shedding and its impact on people’s lives.