The much anticipated report to conclude the transfer of a 6 796 hectare erf in Mitchells Plain brings to near fruition a Council resolution to make the land available for education and community use.
The Mayoral Committee recommended the item be placed on the forthcoming Council agenda for consideration, with amendments.
The following requires the approval from Council:
- the exempted transfer of Erf 48076 Mitchells Plain, to False Bay TVET College, an Organ of State, in view of such property not being required for the provision of the minimum level of basic municipal services and being surplus to the requirements of the City;
- the transfer of the property at less than market value for the purpose of establishing a fully-fledged TVET College Campus to service Mitchells Plain, Strandfontein and surrounding communities.
The Executive Mayor Alderman Dan Plato expressed his appreciation to everyone involved in the planning and execution of this transaction.
‘It is deeply reassuring for me, in this time of dire need for all spheres of government to pull together, to acknowledge that this proposed sale demonstrates the benefit of inter-governmental cooperative governance.
‘We all have the same imperatives; to do all we can to help eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities, grow the economy and cut unemployment via education, scarce/critical-skills training and innovation programmes,’ said Mayor Plato.
‘From the City of Cape Town’s perspective, this proposed transfer will provide a significant opportunity for the City to support a strategic objective of the City’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP) to leverage City assets to drive economic growth and sustainable development.
‘I have no doubt that the proposal represents a significant opportunity for the City to help redress the disadvantages of past discrimination, Apartheid Urban Spatial Planning and the historic lack of facilities and infrastructure in marginalised communities.’
Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Opportunities and Asset Management Alderman James Vos also endorsed the initiative and said the property ticked all the right boxes. This was specifically in terms of location and being in close proximity to the surrounding Cape Flats communities, which is home to about 1.5 million residents.
It is anticipated that more than 5 000 students from Mitchells Plain, Strandfontein, Khayelitsha, Philippi, Mandalay, Grassy Park, Pelican Park and other communities will directly benefit from not having to make the daily commute to far off distances.
The Executive Mayor and Mayoral Committee members were also mindful of False Bay College’s compelling business case for acquiring the property at the lowest possible amount from the City.
Given the educational contribution, and the social/community value in exchange for the asset, the Mayco resolved to recommend the adoption of the lowest transaction price in terms of City policy and Municipal regulations.
This recommendation is underscored by the proven business case that payment at full value for the respective property would adversely impact the financial viability of the project and substantially reduce the potential capacity and educational offering of the TVET College Campus.
‘Not only will the proposal go a long way to promoting access to workplace empowerment via education and training opportunities, but it also emphasises the benefit of the strategic alignment of what is dubbed as the ‘growth directorate’.
‘The unique combination of the Enterprise and Investment department with the City’s extensive asset management departments allows us to find important synergies and levers in driving economic growth in Cape Town,’ said Alderman Vos.