Rooted in local heritage and looking to the future, the name brings connection, community and opportunity to the Salt River precinct.

Cape Town, 22 October 2026 — A place where people, histories and possibilities meet. That is the inspiration behind Salt River Junction, the community-chosen name unveiled today for Communicare’s landmark affordable housing precinct on the site of the former Salt River Market. 

The name emerged from a public competition that invited residents, traders and those employed in the community to help shape the identity of the neighbourhood’s next chapter. Four entrants independently proposed the winning name: Beverly Swimmer, Sthandazile Moyo, Tshepo Mooketsi and Munaasira Colbie. Each has a deeply rooted connection to Salt River, and together they share a R10 000 cash prize. 

The reveal took place at the historic Salt River Hall, bringing community members, local traders, representatives of the Salt River Heritage Society, media and other community stakeholders together at the heart of the future precinct.

Watch the reveal video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-O-AyAixrU&feature=youtu.be

Named by the community. Rooted in Salt River. 

Launched in August 2026, the naming competition gave those who live and work in Salt River an opportunity to make a lasting contribution to the development — starting with the name it will carry into the future.

Community stakeholders also helped shape the final selection through a participatory judging process, ensuring that local voices were part of the decision.

Speaking at the reveal, Anthea Houston, CEO of Communicare, said: “We could easily have sat around our boardroom table and come up with possible names for this development, however, that would have been contrary to what we are trying to achieve here. Communicare is driven by our purpose to provide affordable housing. The housing we build aims to enhance spatial justice in Cape Town. While we may be the owners of the property, our ambition is that this property remains a community treasure and resource”.

More than a name: a place of connection

Salt River Junction draws on the neighbourhood’s long history of movement, industry, trade and community life. It honours a place where railway lines, daily journeys and generations of stories have intersected — and looks ahead to a precinct where affordable homes, businesses and community facilities will come together. 

For Munaasira Colbie, whose family has called Salt River home for more than 30 years, the name connects that history with a welcoming future:

“The name Salt River Junction is inspired by Salt River’s history as a place of movement, connection, and opportunity. For generations, Salt River has been closely connected to Cape Town’s railway, industry, trade and working communities. People travelled through the area for work, business, worship, schooling, and family life. Over time, different cultures, faiths, and generations met here and contributed to the character of the neighbourhood.

“The word ‘Junction’ represents more than railway lines meeting. It represents people meeting, histories meeting, and the past meeting the future. The new development will also be a junction in its own way: a place where affordable homes, shops, businesses, public spaces, and community life come together. 

For fellow winner Tshepo Mooketsi, the name celebrates the connections that give the neighbourhood its identity:

“I chose Salt River Junction because, as a current resident, I witness a powerful convergence of identities every single day. This isn’t just a physical intersection; it is a junction of stories, healers, artists, and resilient cultures that refuse to be erased or suffocated.

“Living here, I am deeply moved by the unshakable spirit of the community. It reminds me of my rural roots, where I learned that love and resilience always win — even amidst our misunderstandings and the indifferent chaos of life.

“’Junction’ perfectly captures that spirit of connection, blending the area’s historical railway and industrial heritage with a new beginning. It is a place where past, present, and future meet, and where diverse people cross paths to create something vibrant”.

Bringing homes, heritage and opportunity together 

Salt River Junction will be a mixed-use precinct, bringing affordable housing, commercial space, public amenities and community facilities together on the former Salt River Market site. It is hoped that the development will include social housing if the national government supports the project.

At Salt River Junction, that vision means:

• 970 well-located homes, connecting residents to jobs, transport, schools and services.
• Heritage with a continuing role in community life, including the Salt River Hall as a community anchor.
• Economic opportunities close to home for local traders and businesses.

Thabo Mashologu, General Manager of Property Development and Investment at Communicare, said: “After years of planning and deliberation, we are excited to start on this development. Seeing the 970 rental apartments under construction with all the possibilities they offer the people who will live there makes our job truly worthwhile. This property will make a truly astounding impact – from the housing and jobs created through to safety and security upgrades, tangible change will take effect”. 

With a name chosen by its community, Salt River Junction takes its next step towards a future that brings affordable homes, economic opportunity and neighbourhood heritage together.