Development Action Group

In Mew Way, water was pooling. In Emsindweni, a tap kept breaking. In Green Point Phase 3, a toilet sat blocked. The Asivikelane task teams showed up. 🚰🤝🪠

In Ward 95, the Mew Way Community Plumbing team repaired a tap and quickly identified a blocked drain that was causing water to pool. Despite not having the appropriate tools for communal infrastructure, the team took it in turns to use a household plunger and successfully cleared the blockage - an example of the persistence and problem-solving that sustains these systems day to day.

In Emsindweni, Ward 6, the team went further, constructing a standpipe and drainage system from scratch. Noticing that taps were breaking under pressure from residents placing buckets on the tap heads, they built a barrier around the drainage area to address both pooling and pressure in a single intervention.

In Green Point Phase 3, the team repaired a blocked toilet, installed a new cistern, and proactively cleaned the facilities, paving the way for more proactive and effective repairs and maintenance.

Basic services in informal settlements are not a luxury. These teams are proof that when communities are equipped and supported, they don't just respond to what they're called out for; they look at the wider conditions around them and find solutions.

Salt River Market Site Handover: A Step Forward for Affordable Housing and for Just Relocation 🏡👥⚖️

On the 8th of June, the City of Cape Town officially handed the Salt River Market site over to social housing developers, Communicare, marking an important step towards land release that moves beyond declarations and delivers on-the-ground affordable housing solutions.

This handover also marked the close of a relocation process for the 70 households who had been living on the site. Over the last several years DAG has focused on supporting a voluntary, dignified relocation for these households, grounded in the development of forward-thinking solutions that are informed by the lived experiences, livelihood strategies, and needs of the residents affected.

While this was not a simple or a perfect process, we believe that this relocation demonstrated what can be possible when residents, civil society and state work together to develop attainable, informed, people-centered solutions. In a City that has often relocated the urban poor to the periphery, this relocation process took steps to set powerful precedents for location, structure and services, that could chart a path forward for more just relocations in the future.

The Salt River Market case illustrates that more just, well-located housing outcomes are possible, and must become the norm, not the exception.

🔗 Read more here: https://novanews.co.za/peoplespost/salt-river-market-set-for-housing-transformation-in-cape-town/

Salt River Market set for housing transformation in Cape Town Salt River Market set for transformation as City of Cape Town approves 970 affordable housing units in major inner-city redevelopment drive.

Building Opportunity: Contractors Connect, Learn, and Grow at Firgrove Expo 🏗

More than 70 contractors, developers, and entrepreneurs from across Cape Town gathered in Firgrove last week for a Construction and Property Development Expo hosted by DAG in partnership with the Firgrove Economic Development Group.

The expo brought together a diverse network of organisations committed to supporting enterprise development within the construction and property development sector.

Attendees had the opportunity to engage directly with the Building Industry Bargaining Council (BIBC), FEM, SARS, the Department of Employment and Labour, the Western Cape Department of Infrastructure, the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism, the City of Cape Town's Business Hub, The National Business Initiative (NBI), IETI College, SANParks, COROBRIK, Utility Revenue System, Absa Small Business Development, and Remax - Impact.

Together, these stakeholders shared valuable information on compliance requirements, business development support, skills development opportunities, funding pathways, procurement opportunities, and resources available to help businesses grow and thrive. We were particularly excited to welcome the new stakeholders' participants this year, broadening the range of opportunities and support available to local enterprises.

The impact of the day was reflected in the conversations, connections, and positive feedback received from both attendees and stakeholders. As the City of Cape Town Business Hub shared: "Thank you very much for the opportunity to showcase and speak about our services at this event. The information shared was well received and the 18 clients that visited our stand have been duly assisted with their enquiries as promised."

While the expo may be over, the journey continues. Attendees are now being connected to support programmes, advisory services, training opportunities, compliance assistance, and business development initiatives that can help them strengthen and grow their enterprises.

Through DAG's Contractor and Developer Academy, we remain committed to walking alongside emerging contractors and developers as they navigate the challenges and opportunities within the sector.

For DAG, events such as these demonstrate the power of partnerships in creating meaningful access to information, opportunities, and support. When industry stakeholders, government departments, financial institutions, and development organisations come together, we create stronger pathways for inclusive economic participation and sustainable business growth.

This is only the beginning, we are already planning the next round of expos and stakeholder engagement events, with upcoming activities in George, Johannesburg, and additional locations across Cape Town.

Thank you to every stakeholder, exhibitor, presenter, partner, and attendee who contributed to making the day a success. Together, we are building stronger businesses, stronger contractors, and stronger communities.