On Tuesday, 28 September 2021, Western Cape Minister of Human Settlements, Tertuis Simmers will hand over the Sibanye Open Space and Play area, at the Sibanye Informal Settlement in Morreesburg, Swartland Municipality.

The handover will be done in partnership with the Swartland Municipality and the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Community Resource Centre (CORC).

CORC was appointed by the Western Cape Department of Human Settlements(WCDoHS) in 2018, as part of the NGO Framework Agreement, to conduct skills training and capacity-building, community-based planning and enumeration in the Sibanye informal settlement. The project which concluded in 2019, was valued at just over R 1 million. The strong relationship which was formed with the community led to CORC funding the Play Park, without utilising any provincial funds. Swartland Municipality will be responsible for the maintenance of the park.

Minister Simmers said: “This clearly demonstrates what can be achieved when the different spheres of government, the NGO sector and the broader society work together to ensure that spaces and places are improved, so that the community can optimally benefit. As the Western Cape Government we’re delighted to have partners such as CORC that are willing to go the extra mile in serving our communities. I am looking forward to unveiling the Sibanye Open Space and Play area, as it will further enhance the area”.

The Sibanye Informal Settlement is testament to the ideals promoted by the Informal Settlement Support Programme (ISSP), as it relates to all 3 of the Strategic Objectives:

Upgrade settlements through access to land, services, public infrastructure and incremental housing opportunities;

Enhanced quality of life and active citizenship; and

Strengthened sector capability, governance and resources.

Source: Government of South Africa