Pedi
May 312 min read
A Leap Forward: Philippi's Ambitious Urban Plan Approved
New spatial vision for Philippi Opportunity Area to revitalize Philippi East.
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Transforming Communities,
Driving Growth
Pedi: Improving Philippi Through Partnerships and Strategies
For the past ten years, the Philippi Economic Development Initiative (Pedi) has played a vital role in facilitating projects worth billions of rands in both the private and public sectors. Pedi works with project developers and service providers to drive dialogue and create partnerships, aiming to pull Philippi out of a rut of neglect that has lasted decades. As informal settlements rose and industrial hubs reduced, Philippi faced a lack of facilities, increased population, litter and dumping, crime, and traffic chaos. With Pedi's work with the City of Cape Town, Philippi is now recognized as a primary economic development node in the area. Pedi's Precinct Management Unit (PMU) and Presidential Employment Programme (PEP) have made visible improvements in Philippi. The PEP, launched by the Mayor of Cape Town in April 2022, employs over 600 unemployed community members who have been trained in cleaning and security. Community patrols are now regularly held in hotspot areas, and security teams escort Municipal workers and other teams working in Philippi. Pedi has also taken on the management of the Philippi Agrihub (PAH), which is now evolving into the PAH Innovation and Technology Hub, a center for agricultural innovation and sustainable development in the Philippi region. The hub will offer education and training on advanced technologies, support local businesses, collaborate with key organizations for funding, and implement projects that promote sustainability and community empowerment. In addition to its various activities, Pedi undergoes specific projects on behalf of the City for the future sustainable economic development of Philippi. From a handful of staff, Pedi now manages over 600 and has become an example of efficient management and achievement for Cape Town. Pedi's CEO, Thomas Swana, and the Board members have continued to monitor and guide Pedi through challenges, and the organization has continued to grow from strength to strength. Pedi's progress is exciting to follow, and the organization is making a difference never seen before in this unique township since the dawn of our new democracy.
Management
Management
T Swana
CEO
P Stohrer
General Business Support Manager
E Wessels
PMU & PEP
Manager
Z Yawa
HR Officer
I Venter
Finance Manager
S Dwangu
Community Relationship Officer
Board
Board of Directors
A Serritslev
EE Jansen
MC January
R Bazier
Chairperson
News
Annual Report
Philippi Community
Philippi: A Community with a Rich History and Vibrant Culture
Philippi is a township located on the Cape Flats in Cape Town, South Africa, with a rich and complex history. Originally established as a farm community in the late 1800s, the area was home to seasonal farm workers who lived in informal settlements on the outskirts of the city. However, as the 20th century progressed, a number of permanent settlements were established in the area, and the population of Philippi began to grow. During the apartheid era, the South African government passed a series of laws that forced black residents out of their homes in areas of Cape Town that were designated as "white-only" areas. As a result, many black residents were forcibly relocated to townships like Philippi, which became increasingly crowded and developed into urbanized areas. In the 1950s and 1960s, Philippi became a hub for activism during the anti-apartheid struggle. The population of the township grew rapidly during this time, and the area continued to develop into a vibrant community. Today, Philippi is a densely populated area with a population exceeding 500,000 people. The majority of residents are black or coloured (mixed-race), and the area is characterized by high levels of poverty and unemployment. The township is home to a range of businesses and informal trading activities, and there are several large informal settlements in the area. Despite its challenges, Philippi has a strong sense of community and a rich cultural heritage. There are several community organizations and initiatives working to improve the quality of life for residents, including programs focused on education, healthcare, and social services. The area is also home to several important landmarks and cultural sites, including the Philippi Horticultural Area, which is a major agricultural hub for Cape Town, and the Philippi Stadium, which has hosted several major sporting events. Overall, Philippi is a vibrant and complex community that has undergone significant changes over the course of its history. While the area still faces significant challenges related to poverty and social inequality, there are ongoing efforts to improve living conditions and promote economic development in the community.
Philippi
Philippi Opporunity
Philippi Opportunity Area: Discover the Power of Partnership
The Philippi Opportunity Area (POA) is a location near major transportation hubs and economic opportunities, including the Cape Town International Airport and the Philippi Horticultural Area. Despite challenges such as poverty, high unemployment, high crime rates, and lack of access to employment opportunities, the area has great potential to optimize unique assets such as the horticultural area and labor pool to generate new jobs and drive economic development. Additionally, the CTIA aerotropolis strategy developed by ACSA could further boost economic growth by creating value chains and spill-over effects in areas such as tourism, industrial, commercial, agribusiness, and retail. Despite the potential for road, rail, air, and seaport connectivity, the area faces socio-economic challenges such as poverty, high unemployment, high crime rates, and a serious housing backlog. The POA has great potential if the City and its partners can optimize the unique opportunities and assets of the area, including access to the PHA, which can be leveraged to address some of these challenges. The PHA is a unique agricultural land asset with environmental and heritage significance. The PHA generates around one billion Rand annual turnover and contributes 3000 direct and 30,000 indirect jobs. The ACSA Swartklip site, a 500 hectares land parcel, has been earmarked for conservation due to the presence of environmentally sensitive dune and wetlands. The CTIA aerotropolis is currently being developed by ACSA as an "Airport City" strategy to leverage the airport to drive economic growth for Cape Town as a whole, as well as the surrounding communities more specifically. The POA Catalytic Precinct Economic Impact Assessment and Strategy, developed by Pegasys in conjunction with the City's Urban Catalytic Investment Department and Pedi, outlines several initiatives underway to address the socio-economic challenges in Philippi and to optimize the unique opportunities and assets of the area. These initiatives include direct access to the N2 Highway, efficient connection to the CTIA, conservation of the core ecological area, retention of wetlands, and the development of a green corridor adjacent to the North/South structuring route. The study also identifies opportunities for tourism, industrial, commercial, agribusiness, and retail development in the POA and the surrounding areas. Overall, the POA is an important opportunity for economic growth and development in Cape Town, and its optimization can contribute to addressing pressing socio-economic challenges in the area.
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