SPEECH TO THE WESTERN CAPE PROVINCIAL PARLIAMENT BY BRETT HERRON, GOOD MEMBER AND SECRETARY-GENERAL
17 SEPTEMBER 2020
PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT MUST IMPLEMENT THE TAFELBERG COURT FINDING
SEVERAL PROVINCIAL OPPORTUNITIES EXIST TO DELIVERY AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE CENTRE OF CAPE TOWN
The Western Cape Government has “Vision Inspired Priorities”.
VIP4 is this government’s 5 year promise to achieve mobility and spatial transformation.
Besides the glossy brochure no such plans exist. The Western Cape High Court said:
“It is evident to this court that the Province’s policies in relation to the reversal of apartheid spatial planning, and the promotion of social housing are, to all intents and purposes, non-existent”
This case was argued in November 2019 – in this term of office – and after the Premier had promised this parliament to settle the litigation.
If this VIP 4 was presented to the court it was so unconvincing that the court said:
“The official line from the Province bears the hallmark of the entrenchment of apartheid spatial planning and a seemingly blunt refusal to engage with the problem”
The court found that it was the politicians at fault – that the officials (the professionals in the province) were side-lined and ignored by the cabinet:
It said:
“What is of concern about the approach of the Province, is the apparent disharmony one sees between the frank admissions of its departmental functionaries as to the necessity for a programme addressing affordable housing generally, on the one hand, and on the other hand, the uncompromising attitude of its political functionaries that there is no room for poor people in central Cape Town”.
The DA in government believes there is no room for poor people in central Cape Town.
Its no surprise to me. I was told in the last DA caucus meeting I ever attended that “transformation is a swear word” – so we know as the court found – that this government doesn’t really mean it.
That is why – despite the nice glossy brochure and the well crafted words which promise to release public land for housing that is centrally located – we hear the Premier adding the fine print: subject to the national government doing so first.
VIP 4 is a commitment that is conditional.
The judgment makes it quite clear that this arbitrary condition is unlawful.
There are obvious solutions to addressing spatial transformation – it will take leadership and a change in attitude to achieve them.
I would propose to the Premier that he brush off the 2010 Cape Town Central City Regeneration Programme, one of those grand announcements that have never been implemented, as well as the 2012 update to that plan, and implement integrated developments – mixed use and mixed income including social housing on those provincial sites that have already been identified.
The Province can also lead the way on Inclusionary Housing.
VIP4 makes oblique reference to inclusionary housing policies but inclusionary housing has been referenced in provincial spatial plans since 2012. 3 cabinets ago. But we don’t have one and it isn’t referenced in any department’s strategic plans.
I urge this government to honour its commitments and its court mandated obligations.
We can achieve major structural reform in the City of Cape Town if we are willing to do so.
Lets go back to the drawing board for the Sea Point Main Road Precinct which in the 2012 version of the plan includes Tafelberg School and Wynyard Mansions. The 2012 plan proposes 16 000 sqm of bulk development of mixed use, mixed income mixed tenure development. Social housing companies have indicated that they are eager to develop affordable housing here. Lets make it happen.
Then we can go to the City Bowl Block – right here behind our parliament between Loop, Dorp, Bree and Leeuwen Streets. The 2010 prospectus projected could that this site could provide 25 000 sqm of bulk development. An excellent site for a high density mixed use development that can include affordable housing and with the right partnership this can be achieved at no cost to the Province.
Transport and Public Works is planning to relocate the Government Garage. Lets use the well-located government garage precinct, right here in Roeland Street, for another mixed use, mixed income development. The 2012 Regeneration Plan projects that 100 000 sqm of bulk can be developed here. Lets leverage this well located development site to deliver affordable housing and integration right in the heart of this city.
I can go through each site in the 2010 and 2012 Plans – they all present opportunities to achieve spatial transformation and they all have one thing in common – public land in the control of the provincial government.
Then lets adopt an Inclusionary Housing law that requires municipalities to implement inclusionary housing policies as part of their planning mandate.
Inclusionary housing, done right, can contribute to housing delivery numbers in real terms supplementing what is being delivered directly by the state and reducing the affordable housing deficit.
Inclusionary housing can assist us with the constitutional obligation to address inclusion and the apartheid spatial form.
Fortunately while our governments lack the courage to implement inclusionary housing private developers are showing leadership and doing so voluntarily. Private developers are demonstrating that inclusionary housing can work and they are willing to contribute – what they are pleading for is policy certainty. Lets provide it. The work has been done. I can give you the draft – its good to go.
ENDS…