A mural was completed at the Bonteheuwel civic centre last Friday as part of a R7 million project to revive the neighbourhood’s central business district.
The project is funded by the City and subcontractors and labourers from Bonteheuwel are doing the work, which started in February and is set to be complete by July, according to ward councillor Angus McKenzie (“Bonteheuwel CBD upgrade well under way,“ Athlone News, April 14, 2021).
Langa artist Ras Silas Motse painted the mural, and further improvements included new public toilets, trading spots and a children’ playground, said Mr McKenzie.
The Bonteheuwel CBD had become one the safest business districts on the Cape Flat’s, he said, and he wanted it to be a place where children could play safely while their parents were shopping.
“We have worked excessively hard over the last few years to make sure that this project gets off the ground. It looks good from the inside out and outside in,” he said.
“There are now security cameras, access control gates, and community ambassadors to ensure that when the project is done you can come and relax in a safe environment and do your shopping while your children play and have fun. Our informal traders will be sure to enjoy the new trading bays, and more traders will be able to operate from the centre. There will also be more toilets for residents to use.”
Meanwhile a separate City housing project would see 350 state-subsidised houses built in Bramble Way, Ivory Street, and Jakkelsvlei Avenue, said Mr McKenzie. Work would start next month and was due to take three years.
“This project will create work opportunities and much needed housing for residents on the waiting list,” he said.
Motse said the mural signified the diversity of the Bonteheuwel community.
“It signifies everyone, the space, and everything around the area in an abstract and colourful way,” he said.
The chairman of the Community of Bonteheuwel Association, Abie Clayton, said the project would benefit the community, but it was hoped that more food vendors and supermarkets would be drawn to the area. He said Bonteheuwel’s roads also needed work because they were in such a poor state that they were damaging cars’ bumpers, tyres and shock absorbers.
“People are excited about housing opportunities but don’t want to live like sardines, and they hope that the people who will move in won’t disrupt the community.
“We don’t want any clashes in the community, especially with the gangs and their territory. The roads also need to be fixed faster. The project is going so slow and people’s cars are being damaged.”
