EL eyesore may get R20m injection

el eyesore may get r20m injection

east london - the involvement of the netherlands-based van der leij housing group in a r20 million housing project may change the face of the controversial skyways eyesore in southernwood here.


matthew moonieya, director in the mayor's office, confirmed that buffalo city executive mayor sindisile maclean was discussing the issue with van der leij.

the dutch group's east london-based representative, andrew wiseman, referred inquiries to moonieya.

a representative of the group flew in from the netherlands for the meeting last week and maclean accepted the proposal in principle, moonieya said.

he said maclean was meeting city manager mxolisi tsika to ensure that the proposal took place within the strategic development framework of the city and that it was aligned with all legal procedures for such developments.

"the mayor is eager for round-table discussions on the matter," said moonieya.

van der leij also negotiated with the owners of the flats individually and the last hurdle was to settle the outstanding r1,2m service and rates arrears with the municipality.

it is understood that van der leij offered a r750000 final settlement for the arrears and was planning to call for tenders as soon as it was assured of the title deed.

title deeds can only change hands if all outstanding rates and service charges have been settled.

skyways has long been a thorn in the flesh for the new buffalo city municipality. the complex has been neglected and has become a dilapidated landmark in the city. various efforts had been made to rescue the property from threatening insolvency.

"we are starting on the beachfront with a natural progression through the quigney, southernwood and into the interior to link up with the mdantsane urban renewal programme and the king-bhisho integration initiatives," said maclean in an address to businessman at a one-day workshop in east london.

"i still cannot understand how the nahoon reef, a world attraction with great potential, cannot leave a discerning investor highly interested.

"the concept of golf estates has taken off in other parts of the country and we have divine offerings for this concept. yet there seems to be some hesitancy," he said.

he then revealed that he had met with "interested parties" for a possible r20m injection in a southerwood social housing project.

"the fundamentals are in place and we plan to move quickly on rejuvenating this area, which is showing all the signs of classic urban decay with its attendant social ills.

"we are going to put a stop to that while simultaneously we are going to bring the sleeper site back on to the agenda."

maclean urged business to buy-in strongly into the vision for the city.