The City of Cape Town’s Transport Directorate will build a new road to connect two communities from Kuyasa in Khayelitsha. Residents currently have to use dirt tracks to get to the other side.
The extension of Welcome Zenzile Street will commence next week. The new road link will cover a distance of approximately 280m, and will be elevated by four metres.
‘Currently there is no formal access between the communities of Kuyasa West and Kuyasa East, only existing tracks across an open space. Also, the two communities from ward 97 and 99 in Kuyasa in Khayelitsha are separated by a stormwater channel, which makes it very difficult and dangerous for residents to get to the other side. Thus, the objective of this project is to provide these communities with direct access,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Transport, Alderman Felicity Purchase.
The project will link Makhaza east and west by building a bridge that will link Nomatse Street and Ndlulamthi Street.
The project is scheduled to take 11 months to complete, if all goes as planned.
The work entails:
- the construction of a surfaced road link, extending the existing Welcome Zenzile Street from the east towards Nomatse Street in the west
- the construction of surfaced sidewalks, street lighting and associated stormwater infrastructure
The City is investing approximately R4,6 million in the project. Local residents will benefit from temporary work opportunities, and subcontractors from the area will have an opportunity to bid for subcontracts.
The City hosted a Public Open Day in Ward 97 at the Solomon Mahlangu Sport and Recreation Centre in Makhaza and in Ward 99 in Kuyasa. The purpose of these sessions was to inform residents from these communities about the project and to give them a chance to engage with officials.
‘We are an inclusive, and safe city that strives to build healthy and socially connected communities. Safety, convenience and pedestrian access will improve when the two communities are connected via this link road. The project will also provide temporary job opportunities,’ said Alderman Purchase.
‘I, therefore, urge residents to ensure that they are registered on the local subcouncil jobseekers’ database. The temporary work opportunities will be offered to residents who are registered on the database – this is to ensure transparency and fairness. Also, I am asking the residents to support this project so that we can get the work done without any delays,’ said Alderman Purchase.