Wentworth flat upgrades greeted with excitement
ABOUT 150 residents excitedly packed the Austerville Community Centre hall on Tuesday, 26 November to hear about the refurbishment of the KZN Human Settlement flats in Wentworth.
According to Desmond D’Sa of the project’s steering committee, the residents were enthusiastic about the refurbishment.Two show flats and the 18 new units are currently in development. Work commenced six months ago and the show flats should be completed during the festive season. The committee said 1,148 neglected flats have been owned and leased out by the KZN Human Settlements department since 1974.
Human Settlements MEC, Ravi Pillay provided the required funding for the refurbishment of these flats and the building of 96 new units for Wentworth. The Department of Public Works was then appointed as implementing agents, and brought on board the main contractor and management consultants.
“We waited more than 20 years and at last we can see the dilapidated flats being upgraded and now we must look forward and not continue going back into the past,” said local resident, Deacon Audley Frankson.
“The project steering committee made up of various representatives of the flats owned by the Department of Human Settlements was active in getting government officials from both Public Works and Human Settlements to stay focussed on the project. We compliment the Department of Public Works for its effort and commitment to work with the community of Wentworth in attaining our goal to improve our homes, families and community.”
For information call Marlon Smith on 082-485-1792, Mona Pilane on 073-681-1234 or Desmond D’Sa on 083-982-6939.
– erinh@dbn.caxton.co.za
