Cape Town - A collective of NGOs from Manenberg are to meet with Western Cape Premier Helen Zille and Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille on Monday to discuss planned upgrades for the suburb.
Last month, the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape government unveiled ambitious plans for Manenberg – plans that include a state-of-the-art medical facility to replace GF Jooste Hospital.
But the plans were met by criticism from Cosatu and community organisations who complained about a lack of consultation about the project.
The plan, according to the city, would improve safety, education, healthcare, technology and innovation in Manenberg.
Cosatu’s provincial general secretary Tony Ehrenreich said on Sunday that the plans were merely an election gimmick, ahead of next year’s local government elections, and the residents in the area were not properly consulted.
“We want GF Jooste (Hospital) reopened and a comprehensive plan that deals with housing, backyarders and people getting basic services and starting to have RDP housing in white areas like Constantia,” he said.
Ehrenreich added that the plan should go further than just Manenberg and include other areas on the Cape Flats.
“We reject their plan. We want a comprehensive plan for all of the Cape Flats.
“If we deal with Manenberg only, they (gangs) will just move their activities to other areas.
The collective of NGOs from the area meeting with Zille and De Lille on Monday are known as the Manenberg Steering Committee. But the Manenberg Safety Forum’s Roegshanda Pascoe said the committee’s members were scared to disagree with the city and the provincial government’s plans.
“Most of all, the committee is scared that if they disagree, the money will be taken out of Manenberg and put elsewhere. It is so sad that my fellow colleagues feel that way.
“What if they disagree? They will lose out and that goes with politics.”
Pascoe said it was time for the people of Manenberg to stop allowing themselves to be used for political agendas.
“The delivery to people must happen no matter what happens (in elections).
“You are in duty to the people and should not be pushing your political party.”
Pascoe added that the lack of consultation was a historical problem that not only happened in Manenberg.
“Others always feel they know better and what the people want,” she said.
Pascoe said those who made empty promises to gain votes and a political following should be held accountable.
The two governments met with the steering committee last month to outline the working relationship with the community.
In a statement on Sunday the city said: “The outcome of these discussions will be relayed, and will govern the partnership going forward.”
Cape Argus