Page 34 - KBHA Bulletin 10

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The construction of the Fishermen’s Flats 1940 - 45

Construction of the flats was one of a number of wartime housing projects on the Peninsula
that included Kew Town at Athlone, Boundary Road at Diep River, and Gabriel Road at

Plumstead. (Fig. 1.15).

The area at “Die Land” to be cleared was 2,525 acres of which roads made up 0,516 acres,

open space 0,877 acres and the area of actual buildings 1,132 acres. Municipal valuation
was £4,280 (site) and £8,300 (buildings). Fifty-two families numbering 319 persons were to

be re-housed. All but one family were classified coloured. This was boat-owner “Stokkie”
Williams who, with wife, seven children and a grandchild resided at No 2 Harris Villa.

They were not eligible for a flat.

It was the MOH’s responsibility to find alternative accommodation during the construction

period. The selection of tenants was left to the Public Health Committee while Miss

Fernandez acted on behalf of the Cape Peninsula Inshore Fishing Association. But when
allocations came to be made there was some confusion over who were genuinely fishermen

families, especially as some men were away on Active Service. This led to a certain
number of claims and counter-claims and the Council endeavoured to be as fair and

reasonable as possible. Ultimately an extra 8 flats were added to the second contract.

Construction took place in two phases, each with a separate contract. Contract One

consisted of 20 3-roomed flats comprising living room, two bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom
and toilet. On 6 November 1940 tenders were called for on Contract One, which included a

special war clause which concerned additional advances which might be made on account
of materials purchased on a “cash on delivery basis”. Twelve tenderers responded, the

lowest being Mr. W. Bakker at £10,609, followed by Reid and Knuckey (Pty) Ltd. at
£10,610. The remarkable difference of only £1 resulted in the Council adopting the tender

clause “the lowest tender need not be accepted” and appointing Reid and Knuckey, much to