Infrastructure
Interpellation
On 25 July, 2025 the Western Cape Government announced its plan to develop the Founders Garden; however, the same land forms part of the Artscape Precinct, which was part of the Cape Town Central City Regeneration Programme, that was announced in 2010:
(a) Why has there been a delay in the implementation of the now-called Founders Garden Project and (b) when is the project expected to be completed?
- The development of the Founders Garden site has been complex as a result of a number of factors including its position in relation to the Artscape Precinct, significant shifts in the economic climate and changes to procurement processes. The announcement of the project as part of the Cape Town Central City Regeneration Programme in 2010 marked just the start of the Enablement Phase of the project, much of which has been dependent upon decisions which rest with other spheres of government and departments. The Enablement Phase has included various intricate processes such as:
1, The removal of a title deed restriction limiting use to a garden and park and incidental activities. This necessitated going through Parliamentary processes.
2. The design of a Development Framework, Precinct Plans, various Development Impact Assessments and ultimately rezoning,
3. A review of the highest and best use based on funding limitations for the Artscape Precinct and on the identification of housing as a public need.
4. Amending the original rezoning conditions in order to align them with the highest and best use referred to in 3.
5. The subdivision and consolidation within new property boundaries which process included the registration of a servitude in favour of the City of Cape Town to protect access to the pressurised sewer.,
6. The negotiation and finalisation of Stakeholder and User agreements,
7. The drawing up of a Financial Feasibility Study and a Legal Due Diligence around the contract mechanism and procurement framework,
8. The development of a Developer Procurement Process and the design of the relevant documentation including a Request for Proposal and the relevant Sale Agreement.
As indicated in my opening remarks, many aspects of these processes march to the pace of institutions outside the control of my Department.
(b) The compulsory briefing was held on 14 August and the project is currently out to tender with a closing date of 29 October.
The developer procurement process is scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of 2026, subject to unexpected procurement delays.
Construction of the full development is expected to take 3-4 years from date of development contract award.
