Cape Town: The City of Cape Town and the Western Cape Government have reached an in-principle agreement on the proposed future arrangement for the Atlantis Thusong Centre. It ensured that the facility remains a public asset dedicated to serve the community.
For many years, the centre has served as a vital community hub, providing residents with access to a range of essential government and social services in one convenient location. Under the proposed agreement, the City of Cape Town intends to donate the property to the Western Cape Government, which would assume ownership, management and operation of the facility.
The centre would continue to house the Department of Social Development’s services while remaining available for broader public benefit. The proposed transaction between the two spheres of government will strengthen the long-term sustainability of the facility, safeguard access to essential services, and will also create opportunities to expand social development programmes for the residents of Atlantis.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Economic Growth and Tourism – Alderman James Vos noted that the in-principle agreement reflects a shared commitment to put communities first.
Alderman Vos stated that from the outset, their priority was to ensure that the Atlantis Thusong Centre continues to serve the people of Atlantis. He was therefore pleased that they have been able to reach an in-principle understanding with the Western Cape Government regarding the City of Cape Town’s proposed donation of this property, by enabling it to continue delivering and expanding vital social development services from this facility.
This is a practical example of different spheres of government working together in the public interest. Rather than disposing of the property for commercial purposes, they have chosen a solution that safeguards its public purpose and provides certainty for the community well into the future, added James Vos.
He further said that he has worked closely with his provincial counterparts to help in driving this outcome because the focus has always been clear: protecting access to essential services while creating greater social and economic opportunities for the people of Atlantis.
Western Cape Minister of Infrastructure – Tertuis Simmers, highlights the importance of community services. He said that for department, infrastructure is a powerful vehicle for restoring dignity and driving positive community transformation. There is no greater expression of this mission than safeguarding a secure, accessible space that protects and supports the most vulnerable members of the society.
According to Simmers, this in-principle agreement is a tangible demonstration of the joint commitment to use public assets for the greatest benefit of the citizens. The Department of Infrastructure is committed to the long-term preservation and maintenance of the Atlantis Thusong Centre, by ensuring that it remains a safe, well-maintained and high-quality facility that continues to serve the community for years to come.
Western Cape Minister of Social Development – Jaco Londt said, “When we held First Thursday with the Premier and Mayor in Atlantis, residents highlighted the need for improved access to government services. This in principle agreement is a direct response to that call.”
“We welcome this partnership with the City of Cape Town, which enables the Department of Social Development to continue and strengthen its service offering from the Atlantis Thusong Centre. This proposed transfer ensures that the facility will remain an accessible hub where residents can receive the support and services they need,” added Londt
Minister Londt also stated that when different spheres of government work together towards a common goal, they can achieve far more for the people they serve. They also encourage Atlantis residents to make full use of the services available and to partner with them in protecting and caring for this valuable community asset.
The proposed transaction has also received the support of the relevant sub-council. The proposed transfer will now proceed through the required inter-governmental and administrative approval processes, including the preparation of the necessary legal documentation and compliance with all statutory requirements.
Although public participation is not a statutory requirement for the transfer of property between organs of state, both the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape Government recognise the significant public interest in this matter and remain committed to transparent communication throughout the process. Further updates will be provided later as key milestones are reached.