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IOL News
6 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Stellenbosch's new inclusionary zoning policy: A blueprint for affordable housing in South Africa
To date 144 units have been built - all in the the Newinbosch Neighbourhood Estate development - taking "a significant step" toward redressing spatial inequality. Image: Sebastian Machill (2025) A new and exclusive estate development in Stellenbosch has 144 affordable units built in as part of the municipality's inclusionary zoning policy. "Stellenbosch's policy isn't just a local breakthrough; it's a blueprint for the Western Cape and the country," said Helen Rourke, programme director at Development Action Group. "In a country where spatial and income divides still define daily life, this is how real spatial transformation takes shape." The policy requires private developers that are planning to build a new residential or mixed-use development of 20 units or more in Stellenbosch, Klapmuts or Franschhoek to include 20% inclusionary housing. In the catalytic area of the Adam Tas Corridor, a spatial overlay zone provides for developers to unlock development rights if they contribute 30% inclusionary housing. Stellenbosch Municipality is only the second municipality in South Africa to adopt an Inclusionary Zoning Policy and, since its inception June 2023, over 900 new inclusionary housing unit applications have been approved. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ There have been discussions about inclusionary housing policies for almost 20 years, since the early 2000s, and these discussions have often been shut down by resistance from property developers and owners, said Associate Professor Ivan Turok (University of Free State). "This makes Stellenbosch's policy development and initial implementation all the more significant - as this is only the second municipality in the country to adopt an inclusionary housing policy." Rourke explained that the overarching goal of inclusionary zoning is to ensure social inclusion and counteract the legacy of spatial segregation that continues to define South African cities. For many South Africans, home is still on the outskirts and far from major economic opportunities - designed that way during apartheid South Africa. 'Stellenbosch has stepped up where it matters most, showing that bold municipal leadership and political support for innovative land policy tools can help tackle South Africa's deep inequalities head-on," says Rourke. Construction of the Newinbosch Neighbourhood Estate development in 2025 where 144 inclusionary housing units (11% of the entire development) were developed. Image: Sebastian Machill (2025) There are currently additional applications under review. Stellenbosch mayor, Jeremy Fasser, said through the policy, "we are attempting to rewrite the narrative on affordable and dignified housing". "We want to show that access to housing can be integrated and future-focused and that local government can lead the way in creating replicable models for other communities across South Africa. "This is about transforming policy into action and then action into impact. "Our Inclusionary Zoning Policy is already yielding results. Since its adoption in 2023, more than 900 new inclusionary housing units have been approved, with many more in the pipeline.' The policy at present stipulates that beneficiaries should be employed households with a stable income (excluding students), with preference for Stellenbosch residents, key workers, vulnerable groups, first-time homeowners, and female-headed households. Beneficiaries should have a monthly household income of between R3 500 – R22 000 (2022 FSC rates updated annually) and the sales cost of an affordable housing unit should fall between R300 000 – R1.2 million. Proportional allocation across the affordability range is encouraged and units must stay affordable for at least 30 years. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
TimesLIVE
27-07-2025
- Health
- TimesLIVE
Seven inspiring athletes from KZN to compete at World Transplant Games in Germany
'Today, I am thrilled to share that we have more than doubled our representation with seven athletes from KwaZulu-Natal qualifying for the 2025 event in Germany.' 'All participating athletes were required to compete in the 2024 SA National Transplant Games, held in Cape Town. There, they had to meet stringent qualifying criteria for their respective sporting codes. Since then, the team has attended two training camps at the University of Free State's Sports and Science Centre where they were thoroughly assessed and guided to ensure optimal fitness and preparation,' said Naidu. Niresh Bechan, CEO at eThekwini Hospital and Heart Centre, said he was proud of the long-standing partnership between the hospital and the SA Transplant Games and the transplant community. 'It is a collaboration that has been integral to our hospital's journey from the very beginning. Over the years, we have proudly supported five of our own patients, and today we are excited to welcome another to this esteemed group. Our dedication to the KwaZulu-Natal team has been unwavering, and this occasion is particularly significant to our very first kidney recipient, Deven Naidu, who also serves as the chairperson of the KwaZulu-Natal team, is joining this distinguished community.' 'Today is truly a special moment, not only to celebrate the precious gift of life, but to honour the heroic donors, both living and sick, whose services enable recipients to represent South Africa on the international stage at this highly respected sporting event,' he said. He wished the team well in Germany. 'To all the recipients, past and present, thank you for inspiring us with your courage and advocacy. You will witness the vital importance of organ donation and show those awaiting life-saving transplants the incredible possibilities that lie ahead after receiving this gift of life. Wishing you all a memorable and inspiring experience as you join thousands of fellow transplants from across the globe, fly our flag high, and you embody the hopes and aspirations of us all,' said Bechan.
The Citizen
30-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Was Ramaphosa heckling EFF's payback for White House embarrassment?
The EFF suffered major blows during the general elections last year, and the situation could get worse in 2026. The EFF may have reverted to disruptive politics to punish President Cyril Ramaphosa for not defending the party during his meeting with US president Donald Trump in Washington earlier this month. This is the view of Theo Neethling from the University of Free State (UFS) In June 2024, during a press briefing in Cape Town, EFF leader Julius Malema said the outcomes of the general elections had left the party with no choice but to become meaningful contributors in parliament. 'This time around, we have taken a decision not to play any role in disrupting Parliament. We will be robust and engage to a point where we follow up on that which was rejected illegally in Parliament through peaceful protest on the streets,' he said. However, all of this changed this week when at least 10 EFF MPs were reprimanded for disrupting Ramaphosa's Q&A session at the Good Hope chambers. They made spurious points of order and argued with the presiding officer, which almost led to the entire session collapsing. Embarrassment in the White House Theo Neethling said the EFF's actions in parliament had a lot to do with the embarrassment the party had suffered in front of international media at the White House. 'I do believe what we saw in parliament has to do with what happened at the White House, the EFF was put on the spotlight [in front of Trump] and president Ramaphosa was in no position to defend the party and its leader. 'Julius Malema's radicalism became the president's embarrassment in the White House. John Steenhuisen also downplayed the EFF suggesting that they should never be part of the government of national unity. 'Mr. Johann Rupert also made a comment about their radicalism saying that he had been a victim of the EFF's politics for a very long time.' Malema had defended his right to sing the Kill Boer song. But Neethling said the EFF were the visible losers in the discussions that had taken place in Washington. 'They are going to seek ways of compensating for this loss of face, and we must keep in mind that they have recently lost a significant segment of their leaders, and that is a serious blow to their future,' he said. ALSO READ: EFF threatens legal action over plans to offer Elon Musk's Starlink What does the EFF's future look like? Another political analyst, Dr Imraan Buccus, said the EFF has become known for their populist actions, but this kind of politics does not advance national interest. 'These Utopian views on political activism lack the strategy and foresight, and the ability to grasp the balance of forces in society, and do not therefore help the future of South Africa,' he said. The EFF suffered major blows during the general elections last year, and Buccus predicted that the situation may get worse for the Red Berets during the local government elections next year. 'The EFF aims to attract the young vote 18 to 30 but the reality is that even though Malema remains popular in this cohort it does not translate electorally because young people here and internationally express political enthusiasm but often do not turn up at the polls,' he said. Meanwhile parliament is expected to launch formal disciplinary proceedings into the conduct of EFF members during the president's Q&A session. The party is accused of denying South Africans the right to hear the president's responses and of disturbing the work of parliament. NOW READ: 'He's talking rubbish,' Malema responds to Shivambu's comments on EFF
