Decades of Waiting Ends as Bishopscourt Land Claimants Start Construction

In a moving culmination of nearly two decades of anticipation, the Protea Village Communal Property Association (PVCPA) is set to break ground on a new housing development in Bishopscourt, Cape Town. This project marks a significant chapter in the lives of families evicted during the apartheid era, providing a long-awaited homecoming.

The project's genesis dates back to 2006, when a successful land claim was filed by the evicted residents of the original Protea Village. Out of the claim, 86 families opted to return to their ancestral land, while 46 others chose compensation over resettlement.

Andre Maxwell, chairperson of PVCPA and a notable figure within the community, shared his enthusiasm for the project. Despite not growing up in Bishopscourt, Maxwell has been a pivotal force in driving the redevelopment process, overcoming numerous hurdles along the way, including several delays and legal battles.

In an innovative move to fund the reconstruction, the community approved a cross-subsidisation strategy, which involves selling private residential stands on one part of the site to finance construction on the other. This approach signifies a proactive step towards self-sustenance and community empowerment.

The development faced opposition, including an appeal against the development plans that was withdrawn and a court case that reached settlement. Moreover, concerns regarding the environmental impact, particularly the removal of a significant tree, had to be managed. The project’s developers undertook an extensive tree survey and committed to planting indigenous trees to mitigate environmental concerns.

Engagement with the current residents of Bishopscourt has been ongoing. Both the Bishopscourt Residents Association and the Fernwood Residents Association expressed their contentment with the breakthrough in the project after a lengthy consultation process.

This development not only represents a physical rebuilding of homes but also a restoration of a fragmented community. The return of these families highlights a poignant journey of resilience and determination, embodying a broader narrative of reclamation and justice in post-apartheid South Africa.

As diggers prepare the ground for new foundations, there's a palpable sense of renewal for the families of Protea Village. The project, fraught with complexities and challenges, now promises a future where once-displaced families can thrive again in their rightful home.