As of July 2022, the City has given the green light to transfer 52 City of Cape Town-owned properties to be used as schools to the Western Cape Provincial Government. The vast majority of the sites are already operating as schools.
Many of these properties have served as educational institutions for over three decades. The school sites are dotted all across the metro, including Crossroads, Khayelitsha, Strand, Atlantis, Matroosfontein, and Bellville.
‘Recognising that the oversight of school education falls within the jurisdiction of the provincial government, it is both necessary and overdue to place these assets under the direct control of the relevant Western Cape Government department. This move enables better management and budgeting for their maintenance,’ said Alderman James Vos, the Mayoral Committee Member for the Economic Growth Directorate which facilitated the property transactions.
The property transactions are disposed of in terms of the Municipal Asset Transfer Regulations. The City Council opted to dispose of these properties to the Western Cape Government at a significant discount, in most instances at 10% of the market value. This reflects the City’s commitment to leveraging land value for optimal use, particularly in education, said Alderman Vos.
‘As the provincial Minister of Infrastructure, I welcome any move to consolidate the ownership of the properties within the appropriate department of the Western Cape Government. My department is working closely with the City of Cape Town to finalise these processes,’ said Tertuis Simmers, Western Cape Minister of Infrastructure.
Alderman Vos said that the transfers will indirectly stimulate long-term economic growth by providing schools with easier access to maintenance resources, thereby fostering a safer and more conducive learning environment.
‘By prioritising the release of land for private sector developments and educational purposes, our City government is fostering an environment where socio-economic opportunities flourish. For example, one site in Wallacedene is intended for a new flagship education precinct – New Blue Ridge Primary and Secondary Schools.
‘This strategic approach ensures optimal utilisation of land, catering to both residential and commercial needs while investing in the education sector for long-term societal advancement. The revenue generated from property disposals are utilised for municipal service delivery and infrastructure investment across the city,’ said Alderman Vos.
