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KNYSNA NEWS - The housing issues in Rheenendal is a step closer to being resolved after provincial Human Settlements minister Bonginkosi Madikizela visited the community on the weekend for the second time in a month.

Keeping his promise to return after his first visit on 27 May, Madikizela said on Saturday 16 June that he was not there to make empty promises to the community.

“I have spoken to my team and officials from Knysna, and we will be keeping a close eye on the area. We are going to put Rheenendal on the map so we can develop the area for its people,” he said.

The community most recently had been protesting the lack of housing since 18 May by erecting informal dwellings on open pieces of land previously earmarked for development.

Minister blames government
The minister explained on Saturday that the problems started four or five years ago when “some clever people in government” decided that Rheenendal could not be developed and that the community had to be moved into town, which is why every application by Knysna Municipality regarding housing had been denied. “But you can’t just uproot a well-established community,” he said, and reiterated his commitment to assist the community.

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Madikizela said that those residents already occupying the land previously earmarked for development will not be removed. “We are in the process of acquiring a different piece of land on which to develop and where due process can be followed, because we must follow criteria set out by government,” he said, adding that the community would not be told where this land is to prevent a similar scenario from playing itself out.

The Rheenendal community hall was packed for the minister's visit on Saturday 16 June. Some also raised the issue that although the hall was built for the community, they never have access to it unless a municipal or government official visits the area.

Due process to be followed
He stressed that those who would then qualify for housing must fulfil all subsidy requirements. “You must be a citizen of South Africa, you must be a first-time beneficiary, your income cannot exceed R3 500 per month, and you must have dependents – unless you are above the age of 60,” he said.

All families who have now built their dwellings as part of the earlier protest action would be profiled in order for officials to see who qualifies for the new housing. “And while we are busy with this long-term issue, we will also follow due process with temporary housing,” he said.

Those already settled would be provided with temporary services, said Madikizela, such as ablution facilities and access to water, but not building material for their informal dwellings as requested by many community members.

During an engagement with the Rheenendal community on Saturday 16 June are (from left) ward councillor Eleanore Bouw-Spies, provincial Human Settlements minister Bonginkosi Madikizela and Knysna municipal manager Kam Chetty. 

Madikizela emphasized that the community needs to work with government. “The sooner we get the planning done the better. We have to know how many people to plan for… We have resubmitted the housing plans for Rheenendal… and it must be approved – I will make sure of that,” he said, promising to return in due course.

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