Chesterville Ext. 3 residents are happy to resettle in the hub
of Umkhumbane which was known as Ecwabazini.

Cato Manor is slowly but surely starting to show signs of regaining its vibrancy. IZWI writer Mazwi Ngcobo visited the North and South Booth Road projects recently to find residents busy re-building their lives.

It’s barely six months since the first batch of families moved into the area, which the residents prefer to call Extension 3. Some residents have begun farming, others have opened spaza shops.

Most of the people living in this neighbourhood have been relocated from various parts of the squatter settlements in Cato Manor.

Despite a few teething problems with services such as electricity, security, telephones and water, people are very upbeat about their new homes.

“We owe this to the CMDA, though it does things at a snail’s pace, we are grateful. Our lives have improved. Most of us have running water and the neighbourhood is clean. Roads are tarred and there is enough transport. However we feel isolated and at the mercy of thugs who come and rob us as soon as it gets dark because there is no electricity,” said Sibongile Mbili.

But IZWI has been reliably informed that the responsibility to ensure that electricity is supplied lies with the owner of the house. A deposit has to be paid to the department of electricity for connecting electricity to the house.

Breakthrough for Cato Crest small businesses

The container park steering committee members
(from left to right) Gladstone Gumbi, Conrad Mjoka,
Adrian Masson, Mxolisi Mwandla, Nina Lutchman,
Peter du Bruin and CMDA Secretary Sethembile Cele.

The Cato Crest Small business Association has cause to smile. The much awaited construction of a container park that will accommodate manufacturers, retailers and service providers has been given the go ahead.

It is anticipated that construction will commence at the end of February. The project suffered a minor delay as a result of land acquisition and formalisation processes. S&T Constructions has been duly appointed to start the 20-week construction programme.

"If all goes according to plan the park will be ready in June," said Mxolisi Mwandla, who is co-ordinating the project on behalf of the CMDA.

The first phase of the project will provide 18 containers to the Cato Crest business sector.

"If the project proves to be viable more containers will be added as time goes on," said Mxolisi.

Interested residents should submit applications as soon as possible, as this will help the management team to decide on the kind and the size of containers needed. Notices announcing closing dates for submission will be posted at strategic places in Cato Crest. Residents are advised to be on the look-out for them.

The park project was initiated following a needs analysis survey of backyard businesses. The study revealed that there was a huge demand for container parks as they will allow the small businesses to grow and network and provide a better service to their clients. Application forms will be made available at the construction site office at the entrance to the Greenfields, or from the Local Economic Development Department at the CMDA offices.