Fencing

A 2,4m tall concrete palisade fence, built to the same specifications as the Langa Site fence, will be constructed along the perimeter of the site (excluding the side enclosed by the Denel fence) along the 1 006 metre perimeter.  The fence will include a one metre wide pedestrian gate and a 3 metre wide double gate for emergency vehicle access. Both gates will be 2,4 metres high (COCT Appendix B).  The gates should be located on the northern fence, close to Mew Way, since the adjacent property is reasonably level, is city-owned and can be used for car parking for people attending to the initiates.  A dropped curb will be required to allow for vehicular access.

While thick hedges and wooden fences were considered, a concrete palisade fence was deemed more acceptable by all those with whom the City has spoken because it is harder to penetrate than a thick hedge or wooden fence, more impervious to wear and age than a wooden fence, and less likely to be stolen, or cut down and burned for fire wood.  Alternative forms of deterrents such as signs may also not be effective because some Khayelitsha residents are not literate, and a sign with or without words may still be stolen or ignored.

There will be little additional cost for fencing materials following the construction of the fence for phase I because the fence posts installed in the first phase can be moved to the perimeter of the phase II site area, leaving 78 m of spare fence. Due to fencing labor costs, however, it will be less expensive to build the recommended site layout all at once, rather than in phases.  Detailed specifications for the design of the fence and gates can be found in COCT Appendix A.