GEORGE NEWS - A development project for Thembalethu which aims to promote social, economic and residential development, and stimulate urban regeneration through investment projects, is currently underway.
George Municipality announced the Thembalethu Node Development Project earlier this week, branded "Ilisolethu", which means “Our Eye” in IsiXhosa. This initiative runs in partnership with National Treasury.
The idea is to create a vibrant and sustainable community hub in Thembalethu through new investments, which will stimulate economic growth in the precinct area along Nelson Mandela Boulevard (NMB), including the Thembalethu Central Business District (CBD).
The appointed service provider, Cadre Connect, drafted an Investment Strategy, an Area Management Strategy and identified 11 Investment Project Packages. The aim is to roll out the project over a 5-year period, subject to the availability of funding and commitment from investment partners.
Priority investment area
Thembalethu is a very densely populated suburb of George and has been identified as a priority investment area in the George Municipal Spatial Development Framework (MSDF) 2023, amongst other areas such as Blanco, the George CBD, Pacaltsdorp and other investment focus areas.
The Ilisolethu Precinct area is an area within Thembalethu classified as a mixed-use node where services and opportunities for all the residents of Thembalethu should be facilitated. The development area includes areas around the Thusong Centre, along Nelson Mandela Boulevard, from the N2 to just past 26th Avenue and available land between Nelson Mandela Boulevard and Ngcakani Road.
George Mayor Jackie Von Brandis said this initiative seeks to uplift the community of Thembalethu while creating a unique space for residents and visitors alike. “Some key benefits of this project include socio-economic opportunity, fostering of human potential, and creating a better, more accessible space for communal interaction and usage,” said Von Brandis.
The Development Plan (Investment Plan and Area Management Strategy) has been adopted by the George Municipal Council and the Neighbourhood Development Partnership Programme team from National Treasury.
Funding to initiate phased project implementation has been approved and the process to identify and engage investors has started.
Project 7: This is what a market and outdoor gymnasium in Thembalethu might look like, through the Ilisolethu project.
The Ilisolethu precinct includes the following eleven projects:
Project 1: Nelson Mandela Boulevard Multi-Purpose Identity Route
This project aims to redesign and upgrade Nelson Mandela Boulevard to improve traffic mobility and support public transport. It will also create a pedestrian-priority space, support Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMME) traders, and increase open spaces through pocket parks.
Project 2: Ilisolethu Interchange Gateway Development
This development will provide economic opportunities through factory outlets and add residential options, creating a mixed-use, live-work-play node. It will serve as a landmark feature at the entrance of Thembalethu. High-density residential development opportunities will also be created.
Project 3: Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Village
The project aims to create a high-density, mixed-use activity core supporting economic opportunities and housing for working-class adults and students. The BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) intent aims to bring job opportunities to Thembalethu by creating spaces where third-party vendors or service providers can offer support functions for large corporates.
Project 4: Dlabs, SafeHub Facility and Call Centre (Old Hospital / Clinic)
This precinct will address community needs through community-based solutions, including the establishment of a Safe Hub in partnership with the Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA) and Amandla. The intension is also to foster economic development and job creation, which will extend beyond support and training and will include a call centre. The Dlabs facility will also link to the development of sports initiatives and will include the construction of an artificial turf soccer field and sport-support facility on the Thembalethu Sports field as part of Project 7.
Project 4: Dlabs, SafeHub Facility and Call Centre (Old Hospital / Clinic) Project 5: Inkcubeko (Embark in Knowledge) Youth and Science Centre Extension
The Centre plans to expand its services on additional Council land to include science and educational programs, additional classrooms, a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) laboratory and an exhibition centre.
Project 6: SMME (Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises) and Recycling Hub
This project will develop a trading space for trade in the vehicle industry and urban manufacturing and service trades, incorporating a recycling facility.
Project 7: Park Run and Trim Park Recreation Route
The recreation route will integrate the area through a 5km recreational route for Park Run events, supporting a weekend market facility, upgrading of the existing sports field and multifunctional public open space.
Project 8: NMB Multi-Purpose Public Open Spaces
This project aims to formalise two areas zoned for open space purposes into active parks and community spaces, and to redevelop encroaching informal settlement areas into micro-flat developments.
Project 8: NMB Multi-Purpose Public Open Spaces Project 9: NMB Sports Node
The sports node relates to an undeveloped section of land along Nelson Mandela Boulevard and the development intent is to provide additional sports and recreational facilities, supporting community services and SMME trading facilities.
Project 10: NMB SMME Trading Areas
This project will establish integrated and well-designed trading spaces, supporting the livelihoods of local traders.
Project 11: Multimodal Transport and Social Cluster
The cluster will serve as a concentration point for social and community services, integrating non-motorized- and public transport modes within the sub-precinct design.
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