Minister Thembisile Simelane Visits Regent Villas Housing Development in Mitchells Plain

The Western Cape Minister of Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers, warmly welcomed the national Minister of Human Settlements, Thembisile Simelane, during her visit to the Regent Villas housing development in Mitchells Plain today. The visit highlighted ongoing efforts to deliver affordable housing and foster collaboration between national and provincial governments.

Affordable Housing for Mitchells Plain Residents

The Regent Villas project provides affordable rental housing for households earning between R1,850 and R22,000 per month. The development is being implemented in multiple phases:

• Phase 1, completed in March 2021, delivered 104 units, all of which are currently tenanted.
• Phase 2, completed in March 2023, added 60 units.
• Phase 3, currently under construction, is set to deliver 110 units by August 2025, with tenanting to begin in September 2025.
• Phase 4 is in its early stages of development and will add 223 more units upon completion.

Collaboration for Dignified Housing

Minister Simmers expressed optimism about Minister Simelane’s visit, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in addressing housing needs. “Minister Simelane’s visit to Mitchells Plain today, as well as her recent visits to areas impacted by shack fires, sets the tone for constructive collaboration that will allow us to achieve our shared goal of delivering affordable and dignified housing opportunities to the people of the Western Cape,” he said.

Addressing Challenges in Housing Delivery

The Western Cape Department of Infrastructure (DOI) is advocating for the devolution of certain competencies to the provincial government. Minister Simmers emphasized that this would enhance the province’s ability to:

• Deliver housing opportunities more efficiently.
• Respond quickly to emergencies such as shack fires.
• Provide alternative emergency housing to affected residents.

He also called for a review of national budget processes to ensure financial sustainability, noting that in-year budget cuts have hindered the department’s ability to deliver much-needed services.

Exploring Innovative Financing Models

Minister Simmers stressed the need for new financing models to secure projects at scale and ensure budget certainty. “If we can strengthen collaboration and receive efficient support from national government, we will be able to deliver many more opportunities to the people of this province, especially to our most vulnerable communities,” he remarked.

A Record of Success

The Western Cape remains South Africa’s most successful province in delivering housing opportunities. With initiatives like the Regent Villas project and strengthened collaboration between national and provincial governments, the province aims to expand its impact and reach more communities in need.

As Phase 3 of Regent Villas progresses and Phase 4 takes shape, the development underscores the commitment of both national and provincial governments to providing affordable and dignified housing for South Africans