Swartland
Swartland Local Municipality is one of the three local municipalities participating in Phase 1 of the RSEP Programme.
The town of Malmesbury forms part of Phase 1 and the town of Darling forms part of phase 2 of the RSEP Programme
RSEP Focus Area:
The neighbourhoods of Wesbank, Ilienge Lethu, Saamstaan & Sunnyside
Background:
In Malmesbury, between 2014 and 2020, many large-scale infrastructure projects were completed such as an indoor sports centre, 2 recreation nodes, tree planting, safe lighting, informal trading area and 1 road underpass with safe walkways, connecting the residential areas west of the N7 with the industrial area and CBD on the eastern side of the N7.
The RSEP Programme in Swartland Municipality demonstrates ‘crowding in’ of resources from different stakeholders and maximising impact in a specific area. For example, due to the RSEP Programme’s involvement with SANRAL, as a co-funder, SANRAL completed the construction of an underpass and safe pedestrian pathways (as part of their corporate social investment programme), and also mining companies, a solar energy company, an international company and many other stakeholders.
An indoor sport centre was built, sponsored by Hope Through Action, an institution based in the UK which has co-funded the sport centre. The RSEP Programme and municipality also provided funding for the project. The project will ultimately include an indoor sport centre (already in use), changing rooms and small offices that can be rented out, an outside track, sport field and parking. The indoor Sport Centre was completed in 2019 and construction of the outdoor sport centre is underway.
Featured Project:
The two recreation nodes in Wesbank and Ilinge Lethu which include landscaping, seating, lighting, play facilities for children and a sports field. The two projects were completed in 2017.
RSEP Focus Area:
The neighbourhood of Darling North
Background:
The higher and lower income areas of the town are spatially divided by vacant land and a railway line. Other difficulties in the town include a lack of social and commercial services in the northern marginalised part of the town and an increase in crime in the new housing development area of ‘Nuwedorp’
The RSEP Programme and Swartland municipality collaborated with the Fontys School of Fine and Performing Arts from the Netherlands as well as students from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) to conceptualise the Darling Intercultural Space project. Various workshops were held with community members and the municipality over three years. The team presented a range of solutions to the community and other stakeholders and let them participate in the project selection process. A concept design was produced by the students at the end of the workshops.
Featured Project:
The Darling Intercultural Space Project is located in the ‘integration zone’ and was identified during workshops with municipal officials, the community and other stakeholders. The project includes elements such as paved pedestrian walkways, lighting, shading, an open-air theatre, a jungle gym, sport facilities, ablution facilities, safety kiosk, braai areas and trading bays. The project is expected to be completed in 2021.
