River Club multi-billion rand development to create thousands of jobs, says Hill-Lewis
City of Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis was speaking at the sod-turning event of the development at the River Club in Observatory on Wednesday.
Dignitaries attended the sod turning ceremony at the River Club in Observatory, Cape Town on 20 March 204. Picture: Melikhaya Zagagana/Eyewitness News
CAPE TOWN - The City of Cape Town says the mega development worth over R4 billion on the banks of the Liesbeek River has already created 6,000 job opportunities through its construction.
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said 19,000 more jobs will be created when the development is completed.
The mayor was speaking at the sod-turning event of the development at the River Club in Observatory on Wednesday.
After years of contestation, it appears developers and indigenous communities have called a truce.
Indigenous communities including the Khoi and San groups fought the development due to the cultural significance of the grounds.
READ: Khoisan chief lauds recognition of Khoisan heritage in multi-billion rand River Club development
Hill-Lewis said the site will pay homage to this history.
“Not only will the space be a wonderful celebration of First Nation’s history and culture, but also serve as a reminder that it’s indeed possible to marry three crucial elements. We don’t have to assume that these things can never be married; job creating development, ecological protection and cultural preservation.”
The Khoi performed traditional rituals on the sacred pocket of land before officially handing the site over to the developers.
Project manager on the siteJoe Noero said while the journey to this point included several court battles, all parties have found common ground.
“In terms of the First Nations culture, this is exactly what happened, although they didn't build buildings as we are building them now. The relationship with the landscape was integral and we hope this building in a contemporary modern way will mimic what they achieved when they lived in this part of the territory."
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde also expressed gratitude for the development.
"I want to say to the partners of the other side River Lands and thank you to the developers to the process to the years of the journey. I don’t know how many years we first got here, nine years, thank you very much it didn’t take nine months it took nine years for the birthing of today.”
It’s not clear when this construction will be completed.