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T
he development is being fund-
ed by Basil Read and HIFSA,
a R9 billion fund formed by
Old Mutual, the Development Bank
of Southern Africa (DBSA), the Gov-
ernment Employees Pension Fund
(GEPF) and the Eskom Pension and
Provident Fund. Further funding will
be provided by National Government
and the Gauteng Department of Hu-
man Settlements.
The 1 428 ha site will provide
18 399 housing opportunities across
the residential spectrumand the fully
integrated Catalytic Project will pro-
vide 16 educational facilities, 9 retail
and commercial sites, 32 institutional
sites including social and community
services as well as parks.
The R24 billion project follows
the successful pilot fully integrated
human settlements model at Cosmo
City, pioneered by Basil Read, the
Gauteng Provincial Government and
the City of Johannesburg.
Service level agreements have
been concluded between Midvaal,
Emfuleni, contractor Basil Read
Construction, Torro Ya Africa/Dryden
Projects, Cosmopolitan Projects, the
City of Johannesburg and the Sedi-
beng District Municipality.
Situated near Orange Farm, the
project will create work opportuni-
ties, stimulate increased demand for
goods and services and skills devel-
opment programmes. During con-
struction, 54 900 job opportunities
will be created and 12 700 permanent
employment post construction.
The Gauteng Province flagship
project saw a number of SABC TV ce-
lebrities, government officials, MEC’s
and Executive Mayors take part in a
Celebrity Build day during November.
The event culminated in the hando-
ver of a number of houses to elderly
beneficiaries including two recipients
who were over 100 years old.
The event brought together gov-
ernment seniors managers, CEO’s
of housing institutions, celebrities,
sponsors, municipal managers and
stakeholders to advocate and recog-
nise access to shelter as a basic right
for all humanity.
The Celebrity Build highlights
the critical role played by society
through volunteer work, transmitting
experience and knowledge, to help
families.
■
Celebrity Build at Savanna
Savanna City, a new Midvaal
Catalytic Project , is being
developed by Basil Read and the
Housing Impact Fund of South
Africa (HIFSA).
T
he City of Cape Town Mayoral
CommitteeMember for Energy,
Environmental and Spatial
Planning, Councillor Johan van der
Merwe told delegates at the 5
th
World
Town Planning Day event, “Cape
Town has a planning legacy that
works against the aims of integration
and equality for which we strive.
However, we have towork towards
changing the spatial patterns of our
city if we are to fulfil our commitment
of an inclusive, integrated city which
is strengthened by our diversity.”
Van der Merwe adds that across
South Africa, the spatial lesions of
the apartheid regime are evident;
but in Cape Town, combinedwith the
topographical layout, town planning
must be used as a tool to redress and
social and economic stability in the
dynamic fast-growing city.
“Densification is a positive word
- it represents opportunity, resil-
ience, and progress. It is a message
that needs to be conveyed to the
public. An efficient and transparent
planning and building management
environment is essential for a strong,
developing economy. The City has ap-
proved building plans of R6,3 billion
between July and September 2015.
This is an increase of 27% compared
to the previous three months. With
over 10 000 active projects, van der
Merwe says that it is their responsi-
bility to ensure that development is
measured against the sustainability
ideals. “The principles of resource-
efficiency and conservation are
integral to the growth story of Cape
Town’s countenance.”
■
Town planning drives integration
Housing
December 2015