Farm workers get houses in town
2006-09-28
AN agrivillage of 78 houses for employees of the Rupert farms is currently being completed on the northern fringe of Franschhoek.
The workers of La Motte, L’Ormarins and Fredericksburg wine estates will now attain homeowership for the first time and will also have security of tenure at retirement.
They will be rehoused in a single low density settlement close to the village on part of the farm Dennegeur, with a secure environment and controlled access.
The old farmhouse is being restored to house a creche, small shop, community centre and IT centre. Sports fields are also planned.
Throughout the development process there was extensive consultation with the workers’ representative committee.
Houses range from 75 to 110 square metres, all with three bedrooms.
A special feature is a small separate cottage for the teenage children of the family - a need that was identified during consultation.
Home ownership will be attained by a notional bond, the terms of which will depend on how long the worker has been employed and when he expects to retire.
In future the workers will be able to resell their houses to the estate owners at market prices, should they wish to move, so that other workers from the estates can be accommodated.
The houses have been built on marginal land which cannot be used for agriculture, while the rest of the farm will be planted with lavender and other herbs for the production of essential oils. The herbs will be processed in a communal venture on the farm.
According to planner Jan Hanekom, services such as water, electricity and sewage have been connected to the municipal area at the developers’ cost.
The project is financed by the Rupert and Rothschild families and is a shining example of what can be done for farm workers, Hanekom said.
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