Vulindlela Village
In light of the need of employee accommodation in proximity to the IDZ, the Coega Development Corporation (CDC) developed residential units at the Vulindlela Village. The Village leases accommodation to private individuals and provides accommodation for employees that are non-local who are working in the IDZ.
The first phase of the Vulindlela Village was built in 2002, with immediate occupation in September 2003. The second phase (phase 1B) will add 91 units to the existing development, bringing the total amount to 462 units. The total development cost of phase 1B is approximately R65 million (US$ 8 million) which included along with the residential units, the provision of the infrastructure consisting of roads, and bulk services. The complete residential units’ makeup ranges from three-bedroom houses; one, two and three-bedroom duplexes and two-bedroom flats.
The Coega Project is a multi billion rand industrial development covering 11,500 hectares of land, the Coega Industrial Development Zone (IDZ), and the deepwater Port of Ngqurha. The Coega Project aims to attract foreign investment and advance industrial growth in South Africa, particularly the Eastern Cape. Due to the various developments in the IDZ, frequent construction occurs in the area necessitating the constant and sustained presence of construction crews as well as workers employed by the investors that have set up in the IDZ.
Sipho Kuhlase, Construction Manager for CDC, says that the construction process predominately utilised SMMEs (small medium, micro enterprises) in the execution of phase 1B (over 70 percent of contract value) and over 40 individual SMME contractors were appointed including SMME building material supplier companies. One of the desired outcomes of the project was for the SMME contractors to attain higher Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) grading than what they possessed, thus site and business management mentorship was provided.
Design
The units feature a combination of themes that are not directly inspired by any particular motif, yet exude elements of Tuscan designs incorporated into the units featuring masonry blocks, concrete roof tiles, and aluminium to windows.
Responsible and sustainable applications were considered in the development of Vulindlela Village, which mostly directly related to the water heaters being energised by means of solar panels and solar heat pumps as well as the use of energy saving lighting bulbs. Additionally, the duplex units utilised pre-stressed suspended slabs for lighter loads on the foundation and walls, the slabs will also allow for ease in construction when adding another floor at a later stage.
Vulindlela Village’s residents will benefit from a number of amenities such as 24-hour security; a centralised retail centre; a gym, tennis and squash courts including a soccer field. There are also conference facilities with the capacity of approximately 1,500 guests.
Aside from the immediate associated benefits of this project such as accommodation in proximity of the Coega IDZ, the development is beneficial to the stakeholders as job opportunities are created during construction and the operating stage.
Project Team
Developer / Employer |
Coega Development Corporation CDC |
Architects |
Mkhonza Architectural Design Group |
Quantity Surveyor |
Bisiwe Van Niekerk Incorporated |
Electrical Engineer |
Richard Nzunza & Associates |
Civil & Structural Engineer |
Ndondana Consulting Engineers |
Town Planning |
Metroplan |
Managing Contractor |
Dev’s Construction Trust |
