The third phase of Bothasig’s new social-housing project has been completed, and residents are moving in.
Last week Wednesday, Bothasig Gardens welcomed new residents. So far 92 of the 314 units in the R163 million third phase are occupied.
Construction started in November 2019 and was completed last month, according to Marcellino Martin, a spokesman for Human Settlements MEC Tertius Simmers.
There are 94 studio flats, 63 one-bedroom flats and 157 two-bedroom flats in four-, three- and two-storey blocks.
Phases one and two of Bothasig Gardens were completed in 1994 and 2013, respectively. Phase one has 165 units and phase two has 120.
Mr Simmers said tenants were paying a subsidised monthly rental between R567 and R 4 950.
“Through developments such as these, we are ensuring that the affordable housing market (those earning between R1 500 and R15 000) are provided with a myriad of housing opportunities. It is particularly pleasing to note that we have an array of tenants that have already moved into this development. This includes pensioners, people living with disabilities and young professionals,” said Mr Simmers.
One of the new tenants, Richard Murdock, lived in a back room before moving in.
“Living here is really pleasing,” he said. “I have no complaints, compared to the back room I lived in before. I paid R3 650 per month, and now I only pay R567. I feel safe and secure, and my neighbours are quite pleasant to talk to.”
Khayalethu Quthu, is visually impaired and previously lived in Khayelitsha.
“My world has been completely changed for the better as everything is within my grasp, and I have endless possibilities to prosper,” he said.
In June, police arrested 25 people following an attempted land invasion at the complex (“Invasions are organised, says Communicare,” Tabletalk, June 9).
Mayoral committee member for human settlements Malusi Booi urged people to report illegal occupations by calling 112 from a cellphone or 107 from a landline.