Bella Casa Housing Developments turning dream homes into reality
“Bringing the suburbs to ekasi”
Established in 2003, Bella Casa Housing Developments (Pty) Ltd offers a range of property development, construction, sales and marketing services. The company is based in Waterkloof Ridge, Tshwane, and works primarily in the Gauteng area and neighbouring provinces.
A woman-run company, Bella Casa has made a name for itself as a provider of quality housing across all economic levels. This reputation led to Executive Director Belinda Moleko being appointed as one of the ten women contractors by then MEC (member of the executive committee) of Housing, Nomvula Mokonyane who is now Premier of Gauteng, in the Gauteng Department of Housing’s Women Incubator Programme. The project consisted of 905 RDP (reconstruction and development programme) low-cost houses, and was completed in April 2009. It marked Bella Casa’s expansion into the low-cost housing market, and has led to further work for the Gauteng Department of Housing.
Bella Casa – Italian for “beautiful home” – has a unique social mission: to change the face of South Africa’s predominantly black townships and provide quality housing that will raise the general standard of living
A transformative vision energises Bella Casa, with every project underpinned by a desire to better the lives of the people – hence its slogan, “Bringing the suburbs to ekasi (the townships)”. For instance, unlike many other builders of affordable housing, Bella Casa goes the extra mile by fitting stoves, cupboards, tiling and carpeting to each unit. That way, says Project Manager Lucy Lebopo, residents don’t have to fork out extra cash before they can move in. It also means that they enjoy a better standard of living from the outset, thereby truly empowering the community.
“Bella Casa is more than a company,” says Belinda Moleko. “It is a passionate belief that I carry. A belief that goes beyond the norms we are accustomed to... All I want is to give a person a house that I and many others can live in – that is the definition of quality housing for me.”
What Bella Casa offers
Bella Casa’s services include Real Estate development, Site Assessment, Budget Development, Construction Management and General Contracting.
As Construction Managers, the company provides leadership to the construction team on all contract-related matters, from the inception of a project to its completion. A skilled administration team provides professional business administration, while on-site supervision is taken care of by a team of experienced managers, supervisors and foremen. Especially in its government contracts, the company makes extensive use of community-based contractors, thereby stimulating skills and economic development in disadvantaged areas.
At present Bella Casa makes use of conventional brick-and-mortar building methods, though plans are afoot to venture into alternative prefabricated building methods which do not require cement. Using prefabricated building methods, a 60sqm house could be constructed in just five days.
Bella Casa is also in the process of introducing a Modular Water-Borne toilet system, which does not require a sewer connection. The unit is moveable and the system allows for the water to be recycled by using a chemical solution. This can be used for areas like informal settlements, camp sites, large events and construction sites.
Project portfolio
- The Willows Estate – 25 affordable cluster homes in a security complex in Tembisa, Ekurhuleni. The first cluster development in the township, The Willows was developed by Bella Casa and completed in August 2007.
- The MEC Women Incubator Programme – 950 RDP low cost houses at Soshanguve, north of Tshwane. Funded by the National Housing Finance Corporation (NHFC) at a cost of R32 million, the project was completed in April 2009.
- Xanadu Estate – a mixed-use security complex in Mabopane, Tshwane. Consists of 68 freehold free-standing houses and 32 sectional title town house units. The R14 million project, funded by the NHFC, is due for completion in June 2010.
- Castalia Villas – an R11 million cluster-home development in Buccleuch, which is currently being developed by Bella Casa.
- Emalahleni Housing Project (Whispering Heights) – a R15 million residential development currently being constructed in Witbank. Once complete, it will offer a range of affordable and upmarket homes, both free-standing and semi-detached. Bella Casa is also responsible for infrastructure installation.
- Athol Villas – an exclusive, 8-unit townhouse development in the heart of Sandton. To commence mid-2010.
- Palisade Fencing – Bella Casa’s newest project, the installation of 20km of concrete palisade fencing in Gauteng, beginning in early 2010.
Company snapshot
With twelve permanent employees and a team of professional associates, the company is small and flexible enough to adapt to the demands of the ever-changing property scene. Though, not explicitly a part of its hiring policy, the preponderance of women in the Bella Casa team ensures that close attention is paid to detail in both construction and business administration.
Bella Casa is registered with the National Home Builders’ Registration Council (NHBRC) and has a grading of GB6 with the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB).
Belinda Moleko is both founder of the company and its sole Executive Director. Belinda has a unique combination of local building and sales experience, and travels extensively abroad – both to research alternative building methods and to establish overseas markets for Proudly South African construction innovations.
Lucy Lebopo, Bella Casa’s Project Manager oversees the day-to-day running of the office and is actively involved in project/construction management for each of the company’s projects. She has been with Bella Casa for five years.
Administrative staff include:
Tsitsi Maenzanise – Accountant
Mumsy Sibanyoni – Administrator
Betty Makua – Administrator
Marissa Prinsloo – Receptionist
Kate Aapies – Site Manager
Daniel Kwakwa – Driver
Site-based staff include:
Ephraim Phalawala – Architectural Technician
Clement Jones – Site Foreman
Boy Jones – Site Foreman
Christinah Mokgethi – Safety Officer
