Tafelberg housing responses pour in

Sea Point residents get extra time for comment on financial report

DESPITE a two-week extension being granted for comment submissions about a financial report on the feasibility of affordable housing on the Tafelberg School site, more than 700 Sea Point residents have already handed in their submissions. Yesterday was the initial final date for submissions and Reclaim the City and Ndifuna Ukwazi sent submissions put forward by Sea Point residents.

Researcher at Ndifuna Ukwazi, Sarita Pillay, said they did not want to wait for the extension. “It is not a matter that needs to be delayed any longer; we believe there was enough time that was given for submissions. The extension was something that was not expected.”

She added that, while the residents have submitted their comments, which included the site being used effectively and efficiently, cross-subsidising social housing without compromising social housing and efficiency, transparency and visibility, residents will use the time to garner more support to back the feasibility study. “The residents of Sea Point will keep asking people to endorse their demands and the time will allow them to get more voices and support for their demands. They will take whatever more support they can.”

Ndifuna Ukwazi spokesman Daneel Knoetze said the number of comments was not a concern as they were focused on getting a message across.

“The last time we went for big numbers, but this time was about getting our point across because it was a response to a technical report. It’s more a nuanced response on the financial report.”