The community of Knysna was overjoyed when the Minister of Human Settlements, Lindiwe Sisulu, supported by our Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Pascal Moloi, signed the transfer of 72 ha of land to the HDA for the development of integrated human settlements, with Minister of Transport Dipuo Peters, and backed by SANRAL’s CEO, Nazir Alli. The land, previously reserved for the extension of a national road passing near Knysna, is partially occupied by beneficiaries who work in the area. At the handover ceremony, Minister Sisulu declared the development a National Priority Project.
“We declare this development a catalytic project. We will ring-fence funds for the first 500 units, complemented by social amenities,” said Sisulu. “We want to see clinics, schools and business centres –we no longer build houses where people have to travel long distances for services.”
“It was unacceptable that severe inequalities persisted in communities after 21 years of freedom,” Minister Sisulu said.
Mr Moloi also addressed the community and emphasised that making the development a catalytic project gave the HDA an opportunity to build more houses than was initially anticipated. “If we work together, we will be able to build a more integrated South Africa, which we all fought for,” said Mr Moloi.
As part of the land acquisition process, the HDA has carried out a feasibility study to assess the possible development of the land for integrated human settlements.
