Zanemvula

Zanemvula is a Section 29 National Department of Human Settlements project that will address the sustainable human settlement needs of approximately 10 000 families living in the Soweto-on-Sea and Chatty areas in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro area. It will do this by providing access to habitable, affordable and sustainable housing opportunities, as well as by contributing to the improvement of the individual and household income levels through the establishment of new opportunities. The broader objectives of the project are to facilitate urban renewal, urban regeneration and socio-economic development. 

 

Zanemvula, a Xhosa name meaning ‘coming with the rain’ and symbolising new beginnings, is a pilot project and is regarded as one of the government’s flagship mega projects for housing delivery in South Africa. The area faces serious social and developmental challenges caused by high levels of poverty, life threatening conditions of homes situated on flood plains, and large numbers of storm damaged houses due to poor construction. The construction of 9 414 houses, the in-situ upgrading of 1,565 units, the rectification of some 7 500 houses, and the provision of  rental opportunities to non-qualifiers for housing subsidies should go far to alleviate these adverse conditions. 

 

Zanemvula was initiated in 2006 and after years of challenges ranging from defective and sub-size houses being built, to allegations of lack of capacity by government to tackle such a project, to allegations of political interference and the involvement of many role players in one project, in October 2009 the Housing Development Agency (HDA) was mandated to take over the management of the project. To overcome these inherited challenges the HDA has implemented some important measures in order to manage expectations, including improved communications, increased institutional ties, and most importantly expert project management capability.

 

Working together, the HDA, the National Department of Human Settlements, the Eastern Cape province and the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro are committed to building dignified human settlements and creating healthy and cohesive communities in area. The project is driven by the Eastern Cape province with the HDA as its implementing agent playing a facilitative role. Closer institutional ties have been identified as vital to the success of the project and all spheres of government are working together to ensure this.

 

Zanemvula comprises three components, namely an in-situ upgrading of informal and formal settlements in the Soweto-on-Sea/Veeplaas area, greenfield developments in the Chatty and Joe Slovo areas, and the building of a multi-purpose community centre at Soweto-on-Sea.

 

The building of new subsidised housing is currently taking place in Chatty and Joe Slovo. In Chatty 3 and 4, out of the 2 287 houses planned, 2 237 will be built and 2 138 are complete. In Chatty Extension 5, out of 327 houses planned, 328 are built and complete. In Chatty 5, 12, 13 and 15, out of 4 000 houses planned, 4 301 will be built. This part of the project is at servicing and construction stage. Further sites for approximately 10 000 houses have been identified in Despatch/Khayamnandi and Chatty and these will be incorporated into future planning. 

 

This project incorporates the in-situ development of settlements areas that are above the 100-year flood line at Soweto-on-Sea/Veeplaas, as well as the settlements situated on land next to the Vista Campus. Approximately 7 500 families are involved and the first phase which is almost complete consists of rectification of 460 houses that were built between 1994 and 2002. The second phase has commenced and 2 500 houses will be built.

 

Construction of the R22-million Zanemvula multipurpose community centre at Soweto-on-Sea is expected to be completed by 31 July 2010. This is the first community centre to be developed in the Zanemvula project and it will provide a much-needed facility for the residents of the impoverished Soweto-on-Sea area. Another first is the innovative approach to energy and wind turbines will be installed to generate power to operate the building.  Construction on the community centre commenced on 22 June 2010 and the substructure is complete and work on the superstructure including floor, columns, brickwork, plumbing, electrical and services is currently underway.  Upon completion the centre will provide a wide range of spaces for a variety of activities, including a hall, sewing room, gymnasium and boxing ring, basketball facility, and much more. The community centre will be secure with access control.  Funding for the community centre came via the National Housing Programme: Provision of Social and Economic Amenities after a consultative process between the local authority and the community. An assessment of community needs and preferences was undertaken with special care taken to include the needs of vulnerable groups. Maintenance and operating costs are to be provided by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, which has included the provision of social and economic amenities in their IDP, as well as their sustainable community planning framework. 

 

The overall management of the project has been fully transferred to the HDA as the implementing agent and responsibilities include:

• Construction management

• Procurement and tender processes

• Establishment of site characteristics

• Project design, feasibility and approval

• Project costs and budgets

• Health and safety

• Communications and beneficiary management

• Submission of plans for statutory approvals

• Funding applications