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R1.4 billion allocated for redevelopment of District Six

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The Rural Development and Land Reform Department says it has allocated around R1.4 billion over the next three years for the redevelopment of District Six in Cape Town.

Rural Development and Land Reform Minister, Thoko Didiza submitted a Conceptual Development Framework plan for the area in the Land Claims Court in December last year.

A ceremony was held on Saturday at the Castle of Good Hope to mark the 54th anniversary of the District Six evictions by the apartheid regime.

The Department’s Director-General, Mdu Shabane, says the plan will also create jobs.

He says: “That plan was so detailed, it was consulted amongst all the stakeholders, including the claimants and they were very happy with it. In terms of that plan, we are projecting to spend about R1.4 billion over the next three years for the redevelopment of District Six.”

Various government departments are working together to facilitate the District Six land restitution process.

Public Works Minister, Patricia de Lille says: “The City, the province and national has come together.  We are planning together, we putting budgets together and so at last we can see some light at the end of the tunnel for the people of District Six to come back. We’ve already changed the name now from Zonnebloem back to District Six, but what is important is that we need to bring the people of District Six back.”

The District Six Working Committee says it is happy with the Conceptual Development Framework plan for the area.

Over 60 000 District Six residents were forcibly removed from the area in 1966. Committee Chairperson, Shahied Ajam, says he hopes the claimants will return to the area soon.

“Most importantly what we must remember also was the recent success in the land claims court.  The ruling was clear that the Minister of Rural Development, Miss Thoko Didiza must now build 954 apartments within three years, meaning from 2020 until 2023.”

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