WATCH: Mayberry Park RDP housing proposal put on ice

Concerned residents agree that the proposed development will cause a major devaluation of properties in Mayberry Park and surrounding areas.

In a packed hall, residents stood united against RDP housing in Mayberry Park.

MMC of Human Settlements Lesiba Mpya has agreed to halt the proposed RDP housing project in Mayberry Park and surrounding areas following a meeting with the community at a packed Bracken Community Hall on May 28.

The community members took a firm stand against the project and made their position clear at the meeting with the MMC.

Concerned residents agree that the proposed development will cause a major devaluation of properties in Mayberry Park and surrounding areas.

In his address, Mpya tried to convince them to support the RDP project.

According to him, the government has the vision to address the issues of the poor, the government is pro-poor and therefore is taking pro-poor actions.

However, the vociferous residents urged the MMC to be fair and to take care of everyone, including the middle class.

“We are part of the 1.7 million people who pay 80 per cent of the total taxes in South Africa. We are the backbone of this country. We are the people who make it possible for this government to be pro-poor and build RDP housing. Without us, there will be no RDP housing. It is our taxes that provide electricity, water, sewer and refuse removal for the poor. Is the government forgetting this?” said those who attended the meeting.

The community of over 2 000 strong stood their ground, stating Mayberry Park cannot cope with more people.

They explained that the suburb is on the brink of being overpopulated, does not have a healthcare clinic, police station or schools.

“We have to share a clinic with Brackenhurst and there the queues are so long, one can wait for hours before seeing a sister. The Brackenhurst Library is small and needs renovation. Brackendowns Police Station is already understaffed and the members are overworked. It is not even a permanent building,” were some of the arguments placed on the table.

The audience felt disrespected by the MMC’s arguments and shouted in unison, “We say no, we say no”.

According to the audience, the area needs uplifting that will increase the property rating by making it more desirable to investors and buyers.

“Mayberry Park needs projects that will most of all bring employment,” a community member said.

Although not everyone present could speak, the message was clear: “No more human settlement developments in this area.”

MMC Lesiba Mpya told residents he is open to discussing an industry business development project rather than RDP housing.

‘Take care of us’

“Service delivery in Mayberry Park is at an all-time low, street lights don’t work, potholes are everywhere, sewage is running down our streets and we have to endure electricity outages, sometimes lasting for days at a time. We want you to use some of our rates money and fix these things, we are paying for it. Take care of us too,” one shouted from the audience.

Councillor Marina van Wyk from Ward 94 said that she supports the residents fully and completely. Their issues are true and just.

“I get up at 4am to get myself ready so I can wake my children at 5am to get them ready so I can drop them at school at 6am before I go to work. My wife works in Sandton and she does not even see the children in the morning.

“We live here because the area is beautiful, with trees and birds and beautiful gardens. We live here in harmony with people who share in our dreams and our visions for ourselves and our children. We work hard and we want to keep it this way,” said another resident.

Mpya agreed to halt the project and to engage with the Mayberry Park Steering Committee. He stated that he is open to looking at an industry and business development project rather than housing.

Key issues to be negotiated are schools, a healthcare clinic, a satellite SAPS precinct, and industry and business park to bring employment and economic growth to the area.

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