Hornlee housing project blossoms
Amid much elation among Hornlee community members about new housing in the area, there has been some instability in the progression of the project.
The battle for housing in Hornlee is an age-old fight between Knysna Municipality (KM) and the community, one that has seen many a road closure and many a protest plague the town. This battle seemed to finally come to an end in August this year when, at a public meeting between the municipality, Knysna United community organisation, and the Western Cape Human Rights Commission on 31 July, municipal manager Dr Sitembele Vatala announced that emergency housing had been greenlit for Hornlee, and that 155 houses were in the pipeline.
This project would be a big win for Knysna United, which has been championing the fight for housing in Hornlee, and would also see to the stability of the once fragile relationship between the organisation and the municipality. An air of excitement wafted around Hornlee in the months to come until, on 28 October, the day finally came for the traditional sod-turning ceremony at the site where the houses will be built.
Municipal delegates along with community representatives, and representatives of the project's chief contractor JPB Construction and Civils were all in attendance with nothing but a sense of achievement and success emanating from the crowds. The commencing of the project was welcomed by Knysna United, with member Alan
Kock saying, "We [KU] are sure they [the community] will benefit greatly from this project, it is a huge success."
It was also welcomed by Ward 6 councillor Ricky van Aswegen who pointed out that "one needs to go back years to understand why we're here today", while also being grateful that "eventually something is happening in Hornlee, and specifically in Ward 6".
The elation and excitement surrounding the project was shortlived though, as merely days after the project commenced it was momentarily slowed by a group of individuals who approached JPB Construction with queries regarding the project, the contract of which stipulates that 30% of the work is reserved for local contractors.
This led to some people believing the municipality should be held responsible, but according to KM's director of integrated human settlements, Joel Mkunqwana, this responsibility falls on the contractor itself. "This work will be subcontracted to the micro enterprises by the main contractor, who takes full responsibility as per the project contract," Mkunqwana said.
Hannes Booysen, JPB Construction CEO, confirmed that they had been approached but also pointed out that they had resolved the issue. "We have resolved it in a civil manner and according to us it's been sorted out," Booysen said. He also pointed out that they are "following the contract from the municipality very strictly".
Knysna United chair Ralph Stander confirmed this, saying in a press statement that the main contractor "didn’t disappoint".