Home in Pelican Park offers ‘new hope, new life’
RESIDENTS in Pelican Park are committed to defending their community from the threats of gangsterism and drugs.
Last week, the Cape Argus reported that there was a looming turf war in the housing development, with the Six Bobs and Junky Funkies allegedly moving into some of the newly-built units and setting up drug dens and illegal shebeens.
The residents are refusing to allow gangs and crime to gain a stranglehold on their community and have established a neighbourhood watch.
Nazeem Isaacs moved in two months ago. “We patrol over weekends until 1am and during the week until 11pm. This is a good environment and we are trying to get our children as safe and as far away from drugs as we can.”
Yesterday, mayco member for human settlements Benedicta van Minnen handed over 47 units to families moving into Pelican Park.
Aaliya de Long, of Strandfontein, said she had moved 11 times before getting her own home. “I am pleasantly surprised by how big it is. My children will finally play freely without being hushed and enjoy their own space.”
Some of the families who received their homes had been on the housing waiting list for up to 27 years.
This was part of the Pelican Park project, which secured 2 024 Breaking New Ground Houses, Gap houses and full market houses. Breaking New Ground houses were free, Gap houses were subsidised for those earning between R3 500 and R15 000 a month and full market houses were sold at market value.
Van Minnen said she was happy to be doing the handover during the festive season.
“It’s nice for people to receive their houses and we hope this community grows and becomes an economically active and integrated community.”
Lizel and Gregory Samuels, who waited 27 years for a home, said they were excited.
Lizel said: “It’s a new area, new hope and a new life for us now.”
The couple had been living in a wendy house in Retreat. They have three children, the youngest 6, and two teens aged 14 and 19.
“We will try to keep to ourselves to an extent. We don’t have high expectations for the community, but we will involve ourselves in all community activities.”
The Cape Argus also reported last week that some residents were up in arms about neighbours leasing their homes to foreigners. The houses were being leased for between R2 500 and R3 000 a month.
Van Minnen said it was legal for people to lease their free homes, but said they should not forget they cannot sell the homes before the end of the compulsory eightyear occupancy period.
“People see houses as an economic opportunity and sell them way under price, and even then the purchaser can’t get the transfer,” she said.