Once hailed as the biggest housing project ever, the N2 Gateway was supposed to bring new hope to the Western Cape. Now, five years on only 30% of the homes have been completed
After much legal wrangling, many disputes and angry protests only about 30% of the homes in the N2 Gateway project have been handed over to their new owners. The comprehensive housing plan - as it was originally dubbed - started in 2005 as a joint venture between the Western Cape's provincial and local government backed by the national housing department.
The N2 project is being built between the city centre and Cape Town's airport.
The original plan indicated that 22 000 homes would be built on the site within the first six months but this has not happened. By 2007 the target was reduced to 16 000 units.
So far only 7 462 houses have been completed although another 1 194 are in various stages of construction.
Former housing minister Lindiwe Sisulu described the venture as "the biggest housing project ever undertaken by any government" but the pilot project was later referred to as a "terrible learning curve".
A report released last year by the Auditor-General found that the project had not been managed economically or efficiently. It also found that the land, geotechnical surveys and transparent methods of choosing beneficiaries had not been concluded.
It said there was massive over-spending and shoddy delivery on the project as a whole.
According to Chris Vick, adviser to Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale, completed components of the N2 Gateway include Delft Symphony, Joe Slovo Phases One and Two and the Joe Slovo Village.
In Delft 7-9 work was apparently 98% complete while in Delft 7-9 extension it was 56% complete. New Rest was 90% finished.
Readers' Comments Have a comment about this article? Email us now.
Print
