EDITOR – Thank you for write up on page 3 of last week's Berea Mail, hopefully people will realise there are negatives to building low income housing, as well.
In a report by the City it was mentioned that the home was used as a holiday home for predominantly white children during the school holidays. I volunteered at the home from 2000 and noticed that very few white children visited.
Also mentioned is that “Utilisation of these properties for social housing is considered to be a valuable opportunity as it will assist in readdressing the spatial distortion of our old apartheid cities.” It is 22 years post apartheid and the City hasn't planned for this.
Once the lease of Star Homes expired, the property should have been leased to one of the many private entrepreneurs who showed interest in the property, instead of allowing it to deteriorate and be vandalised.
Berea Mail reported that eThekwini Municipality's head of communication, Tozi Mthethwa, said “conversion of the two properties for social housing will assist in providing much-needed residential opportunities for low income households giving them access to housing opportunities and socio-economic resources within the City.” I feel that the unemployment rate is so high and there are very few socio-economic resources within the City. More unemployed people may contribute to increase in criminal activity in the area.
Berea Mail reported Mthethwa as saying “the development will also prevent the properties from being invaded by vagrants or turned into nests for breeding crime and other illegal activities.” Being a resident of the area I haven't noticed any criminal activity on the property.
Many of us have invested our life's savings to buy in the area. Development of this nature will result in the lowering of the property values and affect the tourism industry. The home is in a prime beachfront area. This is inappropriate for low cost housing which will inevitably create problems.
If Durban is serious about attracting tourism to the city, this property should be put to better use. Furthermore, we as neighbors have not been consulted.
Rookaya Vawda
North Beach
