People's Post Claremont | Rondebosch - 29 October 2019

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CLAREMONT | RONDEBOSCH

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TUESDAY 29 October 2019 | Tel: 021 910 6500 | Email: post@peoplespost.co.za | Website: www.peoplespost.co.za

Welverdiend, a Communicare social housing development in Rondebosch, has been earmarked for possible demolition. PHOTO: NETTALIE VILJOEN

NETTALIE VILJOEN

T

he newly formed residents’ forum at Welverdiend, a residential development owned by social housing giant Communicare, has vowed not to vacate the premises at Rouwkoop Avenue in Rondebosch. On 3 October, Communicare called a meeting with Welverdiend tenants, informing them of plans to demolish the 68year-old building, blaming structural problems and ageing infrastructure. The company gave tenants six months’ notice to vacate their apartments. In a statement released to the press on

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We won’t go, says residents’ forum 17 October, Communicare said it would pay for tenant’s relocation and ensured that there would be no additional costs for vulnerable tenants. “We have committed to providing similar, alternative accommodation for all tenants affected by the proposed demolition,” the statement read. Karabo Makgoane, acting chair of the Welverdiend Residents’ Forum, claims Communicare, as a social housing NPO, has failed the tenants. “Yes, they have offered to relocate us, but where to? People have built a community here. They are close to their church, Checkers and the post office. They can

walk around freely and they don’t have to feel afraid when they collect their monthly Sassa grant,” says Makgoane. She also accused Communicare of not being transparent in their reasons for deciding to demolish the building.. “They’ve been strategising how to get rid of the pensioners and other tenants who are paying up to 70% less than the market value of rentals in Rondebosch,” Makgoane claims. According to Communicare CEO Anthea Houston this is untrue. In a published statement, Houston said due to growing concerns about the building, it took the decision to act proactively.

“It requires considerable renovation to come up to the current municipal building standards. For example the building was constructed without any cavity walls which allows damp to seep into the building. Rising damp poses health and safety hazards. Many tenants are elderly and it would be irresponsible for us not to take preventative action,” Houston said. Makgoane, however, claims Communicare has been lax in the premises’ upkeep. “Until about two years ago, they would revamp units, one by one, as tenants left or passed away – putting in new kitchens, bathrooms and window frames. V Continued on page 2

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