Cape Town receives award for best residential project

The Kewtown project forms part of the CRU Refurbishment Programme which has been implemented across the metro in an effort to improve the living conditions of residents.

This programme has been the first in South Africa to be implemented on such a large scale and has comprised the upgrade of more than 7,500 CRUs which are situated in some of the most volatile areas in the city. The Kewtown project has entailed the upgrade of 320 units.

"I could not be more proud of this achievement. Our staff and contractors have gone above the call of duty to ensure that the lives of our tenants in Kewtown are improved. Our CRU upgrade team has been determined and committed to improving the lives of our residents and they have demonstrated what public service is really about," said the City's Mayoral Committee member for Human Settlements, Benedicta van Minnen.

Beyond primary objective

"The Kewtown project went beyond its primary objective of merely upgrading the old buildings. It also contributed significantly to the restoration of a sense of pride and dignity in this vulnerable community. In addition, the contract award made provision for more than 50% of the total labour budget being set aside for local labour from the Kewtown community.

"The success of the project and the programme in general can largely be attributed to the establishment of a network of private and public partnerships. We are indeed making progress possible by working together," said Van Minnen.

The project not only comprised general maintenance work, such as repairing leaks in pipes and roofs, glazing and painting. Attention was also paid to external and internal walls with cracks and holes, the waterproofing of floors, renewing floor coverings, seeing to it that doors and windows function properly, and ensuring that electrical and plumbing installations comply with regulations. The window sills, stairs, balustrades and handrails were also refurbished.

The external communal areas between the blocks of flats were also spruced up to contribute to an improvement in the general quality of life of the tenants.