The project to return the lands of historical Protea Village in Bishopscourt, Cape Town, has reached a significant milestone: infrastructure work for 86 homes designated for families returning to their ancestral lands has been completed.
It is planned that the construction of the residential houses themselves will begin in March 2027, pending approval of the building plans from the City of Cape Town Council. During a visit to the site by Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Louis, representatives of the Protea Village community demonstrated the progress made since the foundation stone ceremony in March 2025, which marked the beginning of preparations for the community's return.
Roads and essential utilities for all 86 homes have been completed, bringing the families closer to returning home.
Speaking at the event, Hill-Louis, who was considered an ally by other high-ranking government officials, welcomed the achievement of this important goal. He stated: 'I am pleased to see the Protea Village project reaching this important milestone. The City's infrastructure work to provide services for all 86 restitution homes is nearly complete, bringing us to the next stage: the construction of the houses themselves.'
Hill-Louis expressed hope to see the families return to their land and settle in the new homes. He emphasized: 'I cannot wait for the Protea Village families to return to their land, settle in their beautiful new homes, and start a new chapter in a place they have long called home. This is what significant land restitution represents: the restoration of dignity, belonging, and the opportunity to build a future together.'
Andre Maxwell, Chairman of the Protea Village Communal Property Association (CPA), also expressed satisfaction with the progress. He noted: 'At our foundation stone ceremony last year, we marked the start of construction. Today, we see how far we have come. For a community that has waited decades for restitution, this progress is hugely significant. We are now one step closer to restoring Protea Village and finally coming home.'
The Protea Village community was forcibly evicted from its land in Bishopscourt around 1959 and 1970 under the apartheid-era Group Areas Act. After submitting a land restitution application in 1995, 86 families decided to reclaim their land rights, beginning a long journey back to their ancestral holdings.
A cross-subsidy model was used to implement this project: funds from the sale of residential plots in Bishopscourt Estate were directed to finance the construction of 86 standalone homes for the returning families along Kirstenbosch Drive. This model aims to ensure continuous financial support for the community through levies on future property resales in the estate, helping to maintain the sustainability of Protea Village for generations to come.
Councillor Carl Pfahaim, a member of the Cape Town mayoral committee on housing, stated that the collective vision and unity among claimants played a decisive role in advancing the project. He added: 'This initiative restores land, dignity, and economic opportunities, integrating displaced families into this prestigious suburb. The city will manage this municipal land to improve environmental and public goods.'
The project is led by the Protea Village CPA with support from the City of Cape Town regarding large-scale infrastructure, development facilitation, and regulatory processes. Bethel Partners oversees the project's development, engaging a team of experienced specialists from various sectors.
The City of Cape Town plans to contribute R83 million for core and connecting infrastructure, including civil works and electricity; assistance with plan approval processes; and post-construction support. The total value of the municipal land is approximately R320 million, including Erf 212, where 50 serviced plots are designated for cross-subsidizing the market to fund the 86 homes for the returning families.