Wellesley Court tenant engagement: Communicare addresses the future of Wellesley Court

Cape Town, 4 June 2025—Communicare held a comprehensive engagement meeting with Wellesley Court tenants to discuss the building’s structural condition and necessary next steps to ensure resident safety. The meeting was held on Saturday, 31 May 2025 and was attended by senior management and tenants, providing a transparent forum to discuss the property’s future and address resident concerns.

During the meeting, Communicare presented independent engineering assessments from JG Afrika and PMC Consultants confirming that the 60-year-old building has reached the end of its working life and requires vacating before safety becomes a critical issue. Communicare outlined the organisation’s commitment to handling this transition with dignity while ensuring, tenant rights are respected and the building is compliant with relevant regulations.

“We understand this news is difficult for our tenants who have called Wellesley Court home,” said Makhosi Kubheka, General Manager: Rental Property Management. “However, as responsible property owners, we must act before a building becomes hazardous. We are committed to supporting our tenants through this transition while maintaining the dignity and respect they deserve.”

Key topics discussed during the meeting included:

• Independent structural assessments confirming the building’s  condition
• The notice period that will be provided to tenants to seek alternative accommodation
• Application processes for available properties within Communicare’s portfolio
• Individual consultation opportunities for tenants with specific circumstances

Tenants proactively engaged with Communicare management during this session. “Every question raised today demonstrates the strength of this community,” noted Kubheka. “We will continue these conversations through individual meetings and regular updates as we work together through this necessary process.”

Development plans

There are no redevelopment plans for Wellesley Court as Communicare is currently focused on delivering substantial housing developments that will create new affordable housing opportunities across Cape Town.

The organisation is unable to commit resources in the medium term for Wellesley Court’s redevelopment. While they will have to meet qualifying criteria, Wellesley Court tenants will be able to apply to lease the apartments in these new developments when they become available.

Communicare is currently in various stages of planning for the development of residential apartments at several properties, including Welverdiend, Annandale Phase 2 and the Salt River Market. Collectively, these three properties will deliver 2581 apartments in the affordable housing and social housing markets and will cost over R1.9 billion to develop. These developments reflect Communicare’s commitment to expanding affordable housing options in Cape Town.

Immediate next steps

Following tenant feedback, Communicare has committed to:

• Providing detailed written information to all tenants regarding the future of Wellesley Court
• Facilitating consultation appointments for tenants requesting personal discussions
• Using property management mechanisms specifically for Wellesley Court tenant inquiries

Transparency and support

Communicare recognises the housing challenges facing Cape Town residents and the impact this decision has on the Wellesley Court community. The organisation remains committed to operating with transparency while fulfilling its responsibility to ensure tenant safety.

“We don’t take this decision lightly,” said Kubheka. “Over six decades, this building has provided homes for hundreds of families. Now, our responsibility is to ensure everyone’s safety by acting before the building becomes condemned or hazardous.”

Tenants who could not attend the tenant meeting can schedule individual engagement with Communicare’s property management team.

Ongoing communication

Tenants requiring additional information or individual consultations can contact:

• Call Centre: 0800 266 737 (toll-free)
• Email: info@goodfindproperties.co.za

About Communicare

95-year-old Communicare is a leading social and affordable housing provider in the Western Cape with increasingly diversified property holdings. Our mission to provide sustainable, affordable housing is supported by our social enterprise business model, which allows us to grow while making a social impact. Our property development and property management activities in the residential and commercial property sectors provide surpluses that enable us to offer discounted rentals at the lower end of the residential rental market.

Media contact:
Reyana Nacerodien
Head of Marketing & Communications
Communicare NPC
Email: rnacerodien@communicare.org.za
Phone: +27 21 421 6008

Tenant inquiries:
Communicare Call Centre
0800 266 737 (toll-free)
info@goodfindproperties.co.za