Stellenbosch Executive Mayor Adv Gesie van Deventer recently tabled the municipality’s 2023-’24 budget, revealing a staggering R2,778 billion allocation. The largest in the history of Stellenbosch, it was approved by council on 24 May.

“The majority of this significant budget will be dedicated to improving service delivery, developing infrastructure and maintaining existing infrastructure,” Van Deventer said, emphasising that sustainable economic growth and provision of dignified living conditions for all residents can be achieved only by ensuring the efficient functioning of basic services. “These essential services include water, electricity, sanitation, refuse removal, area cleaning, roads, stormwater and the necessary infrastructure to support them.”

Nearly 80% of the capital budget will be allocated to Stellenbosch’s Infrastructure Directorate, exemplifying the municipality’s determination to allocate public funds where they are most needed – towards service delivery for the benefit of residents.

Van Deventer also took the opportunity to highlight some of the major capital projects included in the budget, which will span across the broader Stellenbosch area for the Medium Term Revenue and Expenditure Framework (MTREF).

water

Van Deventer said the municipality will be investing heavily in water infrastructure to ensure an adequate supply of clean drinking water to all communities.

“Over the next three years, we will be spending R116,5 million on the bulk water supply pipeline and reservoir project in Stellenbosch that will directly benefit many areas,” she said. “We will set aside R80 million for a new Vlottenburg reservoir and pipeline and R32,5 million for a bulk water supply pipeline and reservoir in Jamestown. Other highlights include an investment of R14 million for bulk water supply pipelines and pump stations as well as bulk water upgrades of R16 million in Franschhoek. We will also continue with our water-pipe replacement programme and have set aside R15 million for this.”

sanitation

Van Deventer said the upgrading of the various Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW) and sewer pump stations are vitally important as communities continue to expand and grow. The municipality will be investing just shy of R70 million in the upgrade of the Wemmershoek WWTW and R60,5 million in the upgrade of the Klapmuts WWTW. “Plans are also underway to expand the Stellenbosch WWTW that serves the bulk of our residents – from Die Boord to Kayamandi, from Cloetesville to Dalsig, from Onderpapegaaiberg to the University and CBD area. Over the next three years we will also be spending R16 million on our sewer pipe replacement programme,” she added.

electricity

In her budget speech Van Deventer said the municipality is working closely with energy experts at the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Stellenbosch University and the Western Cape Government through its Municipal Energy Resilience (MER) Initiative potentially to reduce load shedding in the municipal area, adding the municipality is exploring various opportunities to mitigate the electricity problems.

“I would like to draw Council’s attention to R75 million being budgeted for the new Bien Don substation, R30,3 million for the new Kayamandi substation and the R28 million for the upgrade of transformers at our main substation – from 7,5 MVA to 20 MVA. A further R27,6 million will be spent on procuring new switchgear while a massive R49,5 million will go towards the electrification of informal settlements through funding from the Integrated National Electrification Programme. The upgrade of the electricity network in Pniel will receive R10,5 million while we will also be investing R14,2 million in general electricity systems improvements and nearly R16 million on alternative energy sources.”

human settlements

The following has been budgeted for housing projects over the next three years to create more housing opportunities:

“The Kayamandi Zone O housing has been halted for many years under different Councils,” the Mayor pointed out. “We started planning in 2016 and will receive R23,4 million over the next three years. In all, R12 million has been budgeted for the Jamestown Housing Project, which has sadly been waiting for funding for a long time, leaving people in temporary structures. This changes now, and The Watergang Northern Extension Project will also be kick-started as a project for all our residents. The upgrade of the Kayamandi Town Centre, finally eradicating the remnants of apartheid structures, will also start now.

“We also start to implement in traditional areas where people have been waiting patiently for many years for houses. In Cloetesville on Erf 7001 we have budgeted R11,9 million for the FLISP Housing Project and at the La Motte. Old Forest Station, we have budgeted 7,5 million for housing opportunities. In all, R2 million will also be set aside for the interior upgrades of Kayamandi Flats. Droë Dyke, Klapmuts, Mooiwater, Kylemore will also benefit. Social housing as a measure to benefit our backyarders while they are waiting for their own houses is also starting or in planning.”

safety and security

“All communities are affected by crime and all communities want to feel safe. Although policing and crime prevention is a national competency that falls under the SAPS, we are following the lead of the Provincial Government that has made significant commitments to improve safety across the province. We are falling in line with this and have made the following provisions to create safer communities:

• Ad-hoc provision of streetlighting – R6 240 000
• Bicycle lock-up facilities – R300 000
• Fencing of Netball courts – R350 000
• Fencing of sport grounds – R1 750 000
• Fencing of parks and gardens – R400 000
• Security upgrades – R650 000
• Fire Station, Jamestown – R9 300 000
• Install and upgrade CCTV/ LPR cameras – R3 000 000
• Neighborhood Watch safety equipment – R500 000
• Rescue equipment – R1 000 000
• Vehicle Fleet: Law Enforcement – R3 865 972
• Specialised Vehicles: Fire – R3 500 000

roads and traffic

“We will also invest in infrastructure related projects over the next 3 years that will assist in improving road safety, as well as improving traffic conditions in our towns of all residents and improve conditions for economic activity. Anyone who has travelled in and out of our towns will know by now that our roads are getting busier and busier as more and more people relocate here, visit here, study here or come to work here.”

Allocation includes:

• Ad-hoc reconstruction of roads – R11 000 000
• Lanquedoc access road and bridge – R35 000 000
• Reseal Roads, Stellenbosch & Surrounding – R12 000 000
• Reseal Roads, Franschhoek & Surrounding – R2 200 000
• Reseal Roads, Klapmuts, Raithby & Surrounding – R1 450 000
• Reseal Roads, Kylemore & Surrounding – R1 700 000
• Specialized Vehicles: Heavy Duty Vehicles, Roads – R7 000 000
• Wilderbosch Extension to Trumali – R6 000 000
• Bird Street Dualling, Adam Tas road up to Kayamandi – R15 500 000
• Jamestown Transport Network, School Street – R5 000 000
• Main Road Intersection Improvements, Franschhoek – R12 129 950
• Main Road Intersection Improvements, Strand/ Adam Tas/Alexander – R9 000 000
• Main Road Intersection Improvements, Helshoogte road/La Colline – R3 000 000
• Main Road Intersection Improvements, R44/Merriman Street – R4 000 000
• Adam Tas/Technopark Link Road – R28 000 000

“I have noted the concern that we do not give significant budget to non-motorised transport. This assumption is incorrect as we include that also as a component of all our road projects. However, we are working on exiting new potential projects to enhance this, like safe parking for bicycles and creating special zones for walking and cycling.”

Budget for transport includes:

• Jamestown Transport Network, School Street – R5 000 000
• Traffic Calming Projects, Implementation – R700 000
• Traffic Management Improvement Programme – R1 000 000
• Comprehensive Integrated Transport Plan – R2 228 000
• Non-Motorised Transport Implementation – R4 000 000
• Park and Ride (Transport Interchange) – R250 000
• Public Transport Facilities (Taxi Ranks) ad-hoc upgrades – R500 000
• Public Transport Infrastructure (Public Transport Shelters) – R400 000
• Public Transport Planning – R2 600 000
• Kayamandi pedestrian bridge (R304, River and Railway Line) – R31 000 000
• Provision of Bulk Parking Planning & Development – R9 000 000
• Pedestrian Crossing Implementation – R500 000
• Raised Intersection Implementation – R600 000
• Road Safety Improvements – R500 000
• Traffic Signal Control: Installation and Upgrading of Traffic Signals and Associated Components – R1 500 000
• Public Transport Service (Inclusive of Disabled) – R500 000

cleaner & greener communities

“Clean, healthy, and environmentally sustainable towns are a priority as we plan for the future and well-being of our Valley. We are continuing our work to expand our landfill site in Devon Valley. A total of R102,6 million will be spent over the next three years to complete the expansion of our landfill site. We will also be investing R3 million in the Area Cleaning Depot in Franschhoek.”

parks, sport & recreation

Van Deventer says creating opportunities for residents, particularly the youth, through sport and recreation is very important. “Sport has the ability to unite, uplift and create opportunities in a unique and positive way. Over the next three years we are investing in the upgrading of various sport facilities, equipment and important maintenance of existing facilities. It is important to note that through collaboration we have various partnerships with private entities that contribute generously to assist with upgrading our facilities. We thank our partners for contributing to furthering our youth and sports.”

Projects include:

• Clubhouse Devon Valley Sport Facility – R2 200 000
• Upgrade of netball courts – R1 000 000
• Upgrade of Sport Facilities – R6 561 030
• Jonkershoek Picnic Site upgrades – R500 000
• Kayamandi Sports Ground – R300 000
• La Motte Open Air Gym – R300 000
• Beautification of Parks and Cemeteries – R2 100 000