Cut up over town division in Mandeni

The creation of the Jackalberry residential estate in Mandeni by the eLan Group has been a mixed bag for residents.

On the one hand, any development can be seen as positive for growth. On the other, some locals are unhappy at the way the town has been partitioned with fences and the possibility of an increase in living expenses due to the development.

Long time Mandeni resident Les Brits told the Courier she was very unhappy about now having to pay levies because her home has been fenced into the estate.

“Why must I ask other people for anything? It’s my house – paid for, deeds and titles and all. Now I must ask people to look into my finances and my privacy. What about my rights and what about my dignity?”

She was referring to the exemption offered to existing residents for a levy “holiday”.

“That means I have to apply and they will look over my circumstances and they will evaluate if I can be exempted from the levy for four/six months and at how much.

“It is true that a lot of people are on pension and the money of yesteryear is really not up to today’s needs.

“Now they want us to pay R490 a month. Please man!

“Then next year it’s up 10% (R539) and the next nearly R600 and in five years we will be topping R800 a month. Pensions do not go up that much and a lot of us opted at the time to take out private policies that gave us a good income for what we had.”

eLan Property Group’s development director Andrew Thompson said they were very sensitive to the needs of existing residents.

“Our message from the outset was to create a secure estate as an entry level secure community and making it very affordable to South Africans in general.”

Thomspon said their early planning revolved around the poor security situation in Mandeni and they wanted to offer a secure lifestyle in a working environment.

“Presentations and approval processes to the local authority and communications to the local community – mainly Mandeni residents – started three years ago with almost the entire community attending our briefing sessions. The correct processes were followed with regards to any specific objections and were dealt with in small group sessions and one on ones, with positive and satisfactory outcomes. This was followed to the T,” said Thompson.

“We have been through proper process, communicated same, delivered on the promise to date and would hope that this adds value to the existing small town with the potential to grow around the anchor being Sappi Tugela Mill. New owners will realise value through their initial investment and our hope is that all families will enjoy a safer, secure environment going forward.”

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