Investment to follow end of war
KSD, Zimbane relationship takes new turn with fresh committee
THE decade-long cold war between the Zimbane community and King Sabata Dalindyebo municipality that has cost the municipality billions in long-term investments and millions from its own coffers could finally end.
The community has now appointed a new committee to spearhead land claims and economic development negotiations with the municipality and businesses.
The newly elected Zimbane Land Claim and Development Committee, led by Ntandazo Mda, now wants development to be fast-tracked.
Projects shelved as a result of the land claim include an estimated R300-million mixed-use development, a R210-million casino development, and a R160-million upmarket office park featuring a hotel and restaurants, overlooking Owen Dam.
The estimates were done years ago and could have doubled in value over the years.
“Many investors have shown interest in developing the Zimbane land but this was delayed by internal politics within the previous land claim committee leaders,” Mda said.
“Vast tracks of land lay there unused while developers and investors were dying to invest there and hundreds of unemployed youth in the 23 villages of Zimbane were in need of jobs.”
The Zimbane community, together with the KwaLindile communities are said to be the province’s biggest land claimants.
The claim, which is worth billions of rands, includes existing residential and commercial plots and more than 3 000ha of vacant land earmarked for development.
They are claiming the entire Mthatha CBD, Walter Sisulu University campus, affluent suburbs Fort Gale suburb, Southridge Park, Myezo and Southernwood, as well as the Mthatha Stadium, Nkululekweni, Garden Court, Ngangelizwe, Mbuqe, Mthatha Dam and Wellington Prison, all under the land called Erf 912.
In 2009, it was estimated that the value of homes in Fort Gale alone was about R950-million.
The Mda-led committee vowed they would move with speed as they wanted the land claim be 100% complete and development to take place.
“Our doors are open at any time; potential investors can come in and invest with us.
“King Sabata Dalindyebo should be our partners and we should together discuss the development of Mthatha. We are not the stumbling block of development.
“We all want development, but things must be done properly,” said Mda.
He said their traditional leader, Chief Nosizwe Maxwele, had to be informed of any development or meetings being held to discuss development.
Mda said the developers who went ahead without informing the community of Zimbane had been taken to court.
“Anyone who wants to invest here must consult us, the committee, the chief and KSD, our partner.
“We need investors to consult and get the buy-in from the Zimbane community as owners of the land.”
More than 500 families had been forcibly removed from Erf 912 between 1921 and 1964 and dumped on the barren site where they established Zimbane.
In 1998, Zimbane and KwaLindile communities lodged claims with the Eastern Cape Land Claims Commission for the land known as Erf 912.
Since the claim, a number of development projects and multimillionrand investments in Mthatha have been put on hold.
KSD could not be reached for comment. —