Panfontein/Greater Bantu Bonke Agri-village Precinct Plan

2022 · Midvaal Local Municipality (sponsored by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development) · Precinct planning and rural development · 7 months duration

Key contributors: Tshepo Tsotetsi

The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development appointed Cadre Connect (Pty) Ltd to compile a precinct plan for Panfontein/Greater Bantu Bonke in Midvaal Local Municipality, Gauteng. Bantu Bonke was established in 2000 on donated land held by a Communal Property Association, strategically located near Three Rivers at the confluence of the Suikerbosrand, Klip and Vaal Rivers.

Cadre combined detailed spatial and policy analysis with a comprehensive household survey, focus group interviews and sustained stakeholder consultation involving the municipality, the Department and the Communal Property Association. Two settlement design concepts — linear development along serviced roads with 4 000 m² productive stands, and a nucleated concept — were developed and stress-tested with decision-makers.

The plan recommends an agri-village overlay zone, township establishment on a 30 ha portion for up to 500 dwelling units, 30-year long-term leases for industrial, business and agricultural land, and priority projects including cattle handling with biogas production, a rural red meat abattoir, broiler units, an agri-processing plant and a micro-grid solar farm.

Key figures: Up to 500 dwelling units proposed | 30 ha township establishment area | 4 000 m² productive stands