A previously unused piece of land in Zwelethemba in Worcester has been transformed into a safe communal space where residents can now safely trade, commute and socialise.
The Zwelethemba commercial corridor, which was developed at a cost over R6 million, is one of the Western Cape government’s Regional Socio-Economic Programme (RSEP) projects and was done in conjunction with the DA-led Breede Valley municipality.
The unused and undeveloped piece of land adjacent to Mtwazi Street did not add any value to the suburb of Zwelethemba and was considered wasted space. This presented a perfect opportunity for the DA-led government to create much needed public facilities in an area with hardly any land available for amenities.
The corridor was launched in October 2019 and now provides a vibrant space where community members can trade, commute, rest, socialise and play safely. The corridor includes a tarred cycle path, paved pedestrian pathways, dedicated and paved trading bays for informal traders, an outdoor gym, two tar surfaced multi-purpose sports courts, a play park, street furniture, 128 indigenous trees and flowerbeds which are all drought resistant, a bus bay and additional off-street parking on the side of the road.
With this project he DA-led government is delivering on its promise to use innovative spatial planning techniques to promote economic investment, including planning urban developments to promote inclusivity, access to public transport and economic opportunities.
Executive mayor Antoinette Steyn said that this project is huge for residents in the Zwelethemba area, residents now have a safe and clean space to work and play and carry out their activities with dignity.
