GARDEN CITIES NON-PROFIT COMPANY (RF)
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GARDEN CITIES
NON-PROFIT COMPANY (RF)
This history is dedicated to the Honourable Richard Stuttaford (1870-1945) Visionary and Founder of Garden Cities in South Africa in the year 1919
TABLE OF CONTENTS
GARDEN CITIES: 100 YEARS OF
BUILDING COMMUNITIES AND A
VISION FOR THE FUTURE 1
GARDEN CITIES: THE FIRST
HUNDRED YEARS 8
TACKLING THE WESTERN CAPE
HOUSING CRISIS 12
PINELANDS DEVELOPMENT
COMPANY 14
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE
HOLD? 16
SEAN STUTTAFORD’S VISION 17
GREENVILLE GARDEN CITY 24
JUSTIN WHITE 32
JOHN MATTHEWS 36
A LIFETIME OF DEDICATION
TO EDUCATION. 41
BOARD OF DIRECTORS GARDEN CITIES:
Jannie Isaacs, Eamonn Stuttaford (Vice-Chairman), Tony Marsh, Myrtle THE BENEX SOLUTION 46
February, Michael Stuttaford, Sean Stuttaford (Chairman), Pieter Bairnsfather
Cloete, Karen Milan (Group CFO), John Matthews (Group CEO), Vic Christian,
GARDEN CITIES’ LEADERSHIP
Peter Heeger, Taction Mafatle, Justin White.
IN GREEN BUILDING 49
GARDEN CITIES
100 YEARS OF BUILDING
COMMUNITIES AND A
VISION FOR THE FUTURE
A story of transformation and
inspiration, the re-shaping of a city,
and the value of a quiet revolution
Foreword by
Michael Stuttaford
1
Garden Cities was the inspiration of
British urban planner Sir Ebenezer
Howard in response to the appalling
conditions in which many English
people lived at the start of the
20th century. Thousands lived in
slums with little hope of extricating
themselves from the despair and
economic depression that afflicted
England in the years before and
after World War I.
He proposed that new towns should
be planned to provide pleasant
living environments, public parks,
adequate space for schools, playing
fields, hospitals, churches, shops,
and most significantly, businesses
and light industry to employ
residents of the towns.
His first town was Letchworth
Garden City which was built near
London from 1907, followed by
Welwyn Garden City in 1917.
GARDEN CITIES EXCO TEAM: There was almost a total collapse
Shaheem Kader (Contracts of the Garden Cities movement
Manager), Karen Milan (Group in the 1980s through negative
CFO), John Matthews (Group conditions under Prime Minister
CEO), Leon Fredericks (Group Margaret Thatcher. In recent years,
Manager, Property and Logistics), however, there has been a strong
Renier Smith (Group Manager, and enthusiastic revival, not only in
Engineering and Planning) the United Kingdom but also in a
Sitting: Portia Cleinwerck surprising number of other countries
(Head Accountant) throughout the world.
2 3
1919
The founder of Garden Cities in
South Africa, businessman and
It started on June 19, 1919 when the operandi. This was necessary complete. But, even when the
politician Richard Stuttaford, was
government granted 365 morgen to enable it to continue funding company eventually steps away
inspired by Ebenezer Howard’s
It is said of Garden Cities that it does
of the Uitvlugt forest reserve to the its future land and infrastructure from direct involvement in a town,
dedication to improving the lives
Garden Cities board of trustees, requirements from cash generated it readily shoulders responsibility
of under-privileged people in the
not ‘develop’ land but that it creates chaired by Richard Stuttaford, and after its tax obligations had been for resolving issues that are beyond
UK. Stuttaford established an ethos
which is rigorously upheld today, by serene, well-ordered communities in made up of businessmen and senior met. the capabilities of the residents’
a board of directors which includes which people, who cannot otherwise civil servants. Set-up capital of
£10 000 was donated by the
This resulted in the company
association.
the third and fourth generations of afford a home, find peace and security. chairman.
developing into a sizable One of the advantages of there
the founder’s family. organisation with a number of being no dividends or profits to
And Garden Cities has been
The first house was built on a grant subsidiaries, in order for it to be paid to shareholders, is that all
The towns are planned to provide
generate sufficient funding for profits can be ploughed back into
doing this for 100 years
of land from the government in
environments that are pleasing
Pinelands, in 1922. development. The company now the company. Historically funds
and safe. Houses are built at the
requires that the non-executive were used to buy land for future
lowest possible cost without
The company has no shareholders, it directors allocate more of their development - in some instances
sacrificing quality of materials and
pays no dividends, and until recently, time and energies in their roles as 50 years before the first sod was
workmanship. But the ethos goes
directors received no reward for the the custodians of the business in turned.
beyond merely putting roofs over
time and knowledge they devoted accordance with the King guidelines
peoples’ heads. It strives to bring In recent years, profits have been
to the company. However, the tax and the Companies Act, A decision
cohesion to diverse people, and used to build school halls and to
regime for companies like Garden was therefore taken that director
to cater for their expectations and provide science laboratories in
Cities was changed in 2007 which fees would be paid to non-executive
provide for their needs. under-resourced schools in the
resulted in Garden Cities no longer directors.
being exempt from paying company Western Cape. And the company
It is said of Garden Cities that it
tax. Garden Cities initiates the formation has a long history of providing
does not ‘develop’ land but that
of residents’ associations in each bursaries to university students,
it creates serene, well-ordered
As a result of this change Garden town to which management of as well as annually making large
communities in which people, who
Cities needed to adjust its modus the town is handed over when donations to various charities.
cannot otherwise afford a home,
find peace and security.
4 5
TIMELINE
1930 1964 to 1972 1989 2000
Establishment of Elfindale Garden Lindida Victoria Park
Pinelands City Garden City Garden City
Development
1919 Company (PDC) 1960 1985 1993
Pinelands Garden City Meerendal first 1979 Dennemere Devon Park 2002
Group Housing Garden City Development
development Northpine Marlborough Park
Garden City
1928 1991 2013
Trust became Farmersfield Greenville Garden
non-profit utility Retirement City current
company Village
1919 1950 to 1970 1962 to 1972 1988 1994
Garden Cities established Meadowridge Square Hill Garden City Mfuleni Kleinbosch
Garden City Development Development
1972 to 2000 2001
Sunningdale
Edgemead Garden Pinehurst
City Norton Square
Retirement Village
6 7
GARDEN
Garden Cities has been pushing the venture further from the shadow
boundaries, both physically and of the mountain, it was Garden
metaphorically, for one hundred Cities that made one of the
years. It has created serene, well- boldest moves into uncharted
CITIES
ordered communities in places territory.
where others had not thought to
go. And as the years passed, and Founded on the vision and energy
of Richard Stuttaford, Garden Cities
social conditions changed, it was
has stuck close to its roots, which
THE FIRST
sometimes ahead of the times and
today makes it one of the rare family
at others it adapted quickly to
companies that still has members
accommodate the unexpected.
of its board of directors bearing
HUNDRED
A century ago, Cape Town was an the name of the founder, three
urban island surrounded by the generations later.
ocean and the mountain, farmland
It was Richard Stuttaford’s 15-minute
and barren flatlands. The city had
YEARS
meeting in 1919 with the acting
developed from its historic core
Prime Minister of South Africa
at the base of Table Mountain and
that started a journey that has
spread as far as it could go between
lasted a century and is still gaining
the mountain and the sea. For the
momentum.
rest, the flatlands and the rural
spread towards the hinterland and
the mountains in the north, farming
The oldest and largest developer of
entire suburbs in the Western Cape
But when the time came to
was still the main occupation with has remained under the direction venture further from the
a suburban thread following the of one family. And the company’s shadow of the mountain, it
spine of the mountain to False Bay.
Industry remained close to the city
current Board is now chaired by the
great-grandson of the founder, with
was Garden Cities that made
and the port was the primary focus. his brother as Vice Chairman. one of the boldest moves into
uncharted territory
But when the time came to Richard Stuttaford’s action is the
8 9
stuff of legends. It launched one of Stuttaford was fired up by the SEAN STUTTAFORD itself servicing a market which by from the development of its
the most successful mass residential prospect of applying the principles CHAIRMAN and large did not represent the existing towns to ensure that it can
community development projects in of Ebenezer Howard’s Garden Cities broad spectrum that had been sustain its other activities, including
South Africa. movement, in South Africa. He had Reviewing the milestones along the envisaged by my great-grandfather. acquisition of land for future
been thwarted in his efforts by the road from his great-grandfather’s development.
Ebenezer Howard’s Garden City Cape Chamber of Commerce, and ‘The board took a strategic decision
achievement in setting up the
movement started in Britain, not so took his plan to Malan whose to ensure that, while Garden Cities ‘We have recognised that as a
enabling trust in 1919, present
long before Stuttaford made his temporary position as Prime Minister would continue to generate revenue newly-taxpaying organisation - the
Garden Cities chairman Sean
bold move – financed with his own of post-WWI South Africa lasted from its core operations, it would tax legislation changed in the early
Stuttaford says that, in this
capital – to bring the revolutionary only eight months. Malan approved re-direct a portion of its income 2000s which could have impacted
centenary year, the company does
social initiative to South Africa just his plan. to the needs of disadvantaged negatively on the sustainability of
not look backwards to pave its
after the end of the First World War. communities in Cape Town.’ the company - we need to ensure
future. In recent years its directors
It was a broad-ranging proposal that selling prices in its traditional
It was a time when citizens of and management have focused on a Sean Stuttaford’s association with
that, following the principles of the middle-income towns are market-
this country were in as dire need vision for Garden Cities for the years Garden Cities began in 1995 when he
then still fledgling UK Garden Cities,
ahead. related.
of housing as its now massively- would take developments to the joined the board which was led by
increased, diversified population edge of Cape Town’s urban core, Dennis Fletcher who had followed,
It is time now, he says, with the ‘The strategy in these areas needs
is today. Garden Cities is still high and create independent commercial after a brief interval, the founder’s
core activity of the company firmly to be based on a profit motive, and
on the list of successful private and residential environments. It sons Den and Jack Stuttaford.
entrenched, that the board examines so, competitive advantages other
companies whose mission is to help was Stuttaford who urged the Mentored by Fletcher, Sean was
and acts on the need to expand than price have had to be found. The
provide enough homes for all South government to change its attitude appointed deputy chairman and was
its philanthropic commitments. company concentrates on delivering
Africans. to mass housing. elected to the chair in 2001 when
Through its existing operations, the consistently high-quality houses
Fletcher retired.
In its centenary year, Garden Cities company has reached a point where for middle- income homebuyers,
has a record of having established its normal business of building Shortly after his accession, and as well as small to medium- sized
17 suburbs in Cape Town and has towns and securing communities within the company’s expanding homes for first time buyers and for
been responsible for the building generate enough funds to sustain philanthropic policy, the Archway those needing larger houses as their
of more than 20 400 homes. They its aspiration to help those who Foundation was established to families grow.
cross the entire economic spectrum desperately need to improve their provide halls for schools in the Cape
from starter homes, for those who ‘Key to the strategy is recognising
living conditions – which was one of Peninsula and further afield in the
have never owned a property, to the status of Garden Cities as a
the key objectives of Garden Cities Western Cape. The first school hall
houses for middle-income families wholly self-funding organisation that
founder, Ebenezer Howard. was built at Kensington High School
in immaculately structured urban therefore continually needs to have
in 2004. The 100th was completed
environments. ‘The company has, since the advent a sustainable source of profitable
in this, the company’s centenary
of the new South Africa, maintained revenue. The sustainable business
year.
When he asked acting Prime its operations in the towns now model that was put in place gives
Minister FS Malan to meet with being created. But due to the nature Sean Stuttaford says the company the company the scope to take the
him on January 28, 1919, Richard of the product it delivered, found is committed to increasing revenues next step.’
10
Sean Stuttaford 11
TACKLING THE
WESTERN CAPE
HOUSING CRISIS
In 2005 Sean Stuttaford, while One of the initiatives resulting from
remaining a Garden Cities director, the decision to develop Greenville,
moved to Johannesburg where he was that Garden Cities acquired
saw a new integrated development Australian building technology and
called Cosmo City. It was this town established Benex in South Africa
that stimulated a new vision of to produce alternative building
where Garden Cities should go. materials.
Through an engagement over The strategy of the board is that
several years with the developers Garden Cities, being a not-for-profit
of Cosmo City, the board and company, needs to play a role in
management of Garden Cities
researching, testing and developing
learned what was needed to move
new building technologies. As a
the company into the development
developer, Garden Cities can bring
of a town for people who had never
these innnovations to the building
previously owned homes and who
and construction industry, and if
were not able to go the traditional
viable, provide a platform to launch
route with bonds and conventional
them.
funding.
The result was Greenville Garden
The Greenville development has ‘The board took a strategic decision to
ensure that, while Garden Cities would
City, an integrated town near brought Garden Cities back to
Durbanville. The planning phase a working arrangement with
of this development took seven government to develop homes for
the people of Cape Town, as did
continue to generate revenue from its core
operations, it would re-direct a portion of
years and R20 million to get off
the ground. The project included the founder, Richard Stuttaford.
extensive research as well as
investment in new building
Greenville is a huge undertaking
and thought to be the only public/ its income to the needs of disadvantaged
technologies which became private partnership in the country
where low cost government housing
communities in Cape Town.’
necessary to deliver a Garden Cities
product at an affordable price. is being delivered on private land.
12 13HISTORIC FACTS:
New houses under construction by • The company held its first Board meeting on
Pinelands Development Company November 11, 1930
(PDC) at Sunningdale on the Cape • During 1931 PDC built the first two houses at £437
Town Western Seaboard and £580 respectively
• During 1936 a delay in building activities was
experienced - due to township layout problems
• 1937 saw the first electric geysers installed
• During 1942 house prices reached £1 200 and cost-
cutting measures were investigated.
PINELANDS DEVELOPMENT COMPANY (PDC)
• During 1945 there was already a waiting list of 196
ESTABLISHED 1930
and preference had to be given to servicemen
Although Pinelands Development Garden Cities’ homebuyers who breadwinner, who the Garden Cities outside contract work and works • In 1945 director Zerilda Steyn had to resign, owing to
Company was established 11 had been granted a State housing Trust primarily intended to house, exclusively for Garden Cities. her being ‘under a legal disability’ – she was married in
years after Garden Cities, the loan, a further 15% towards their often could not raise the 20%. community of property.
two companies soon formed compulsory deposit, which many The directors of PDC, like those
an unbreakable and beneficial could not raise. Financing was While Pinelands Development of Garden Cities, up until recently, • 1945 also saw PDC deciding to build for themselves
interdependency that has lasted to by means of a second bond at a Company started with the sole did not receive any fees or and the started with a team of 380 people at a weekly
this day. lower rate of interest than could be purpose of providing financial remuneration. The Memorandum of payroll of £ 1 600. The company erected two houses per
obtained anywhere else. assistance, it is today the largest Association of PDC also has as one week.
Since 1945, PDC has remained continuous house builder in the of its objectives: ‘…to provide better
the only contractor to build the The facility was essential, because Western Cape and is a winner of housing and better social conditions
• At the 1946 AGM the chairman stated ‘I would like to
thousands of Garden Cities’ houses the Housing Act of 1920 stipulated the NHBRC award for Best Builder. for the people.’
recall that when we decided to undertake our own
and apartments, as well public that prospective house owners PDC manages all sub-contractors as
construction work, we had no equipment and our entire
buildings that include crèches, could obtain an advance or loan well as its own staff to ensure that In the centenary year, the top staff consisted of a secretary and his typist. We have
sports facilities, clubhouses, from the State of up to 80% of the high quality homes are built and team at PDC consists of Chairman now brought into being one of the largest and most
community halls and more recently cost of a house, including the land – completed on time. Justin White, with John Matthews efficient house construction companies in the Cape’
the hugely successful Leadville Dog but, they had to find the further 20% as Group CEO; Leon Fredericks
PDC maintains the highest building - Group Manager: Property &
• In 1952 PDC received a rebate from the Workmen’s
Park in Sunningdale. for themselves. Although plots sold Compensation Commission as a result of PDC enforcing
by Garden Cities could be bought standards and adheres to the Logistics; Portia Cleinwerck - Head
PDC was established in 1930 SANS10400 and NHBRC building Accountant and Shaheem Kader -
the required safety measures on site and this tradition
for as little as 20 pounds at the time, continues today with the company continuing to
as a financing company to lend the average lower-salaried family specification. The company does no Contracts Manager.
win local safety competitions.
14 15WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD?
Sufficient housing is a critical ensuring that people have easy
measurement of any government’s access to jobs, schools, sporting
ability in South Africa. However, the facilities, affordable shopping
scope of the need in this country precincts, healthcare and transport
outstrips the resources available to is also vital. Owing to the economics
government. Garden Cities has an of providing communities with all
obligation and a challenge (in terms these facilities, town densities need
of its founding statement) to play a to be increased in Cape Town.
part in delivering on this need, with
or without the help of government. Garden Cities will need to shift
its housing model to incorporate
Building homes for people who higher density housing as well
are unable to afford them, will be as to develop funding models to
the challenge for the future. It’s a include people who, while earning
problem not unique to South Africa, an income, sometimes on their own
and even developed countries such initiative, are not able to obtain
as the UK face a similar challenge housing loans from traditional
where housing has progressively sources.
SEAN STUTTAFORD’S
become more and more
unaffordable to ordinary people. It’s not likely that Garden Cities, on
its own, will be able to develop or
Building houses and developing deliver on future demands. It will
VISION
towns are not the sole solution to need partners who can assist in
the challenges in South Africa, but achieving the vision.
16 17Sean Stuttaford says his vision and cultural facilities. Sean, now brother Eamonn, who is now
for Garden Cities for the future 53, says he’s in it for the long haul, Vice-Chairman.
is one where the company will and hopes that he can continue
fulfill a leading role in developing to serve the board of Garden The leading role Sean takes is
sustainable towns and suburbs for Cities into his seventies, emulating appropriate in the light of his
low-income residents who find it fellow directors, his father Michael, great-grandfather’s commitment
difficult to enter the formal housing Pieter Bairnsfather Cloete and Vic to establishing the company to
market. Christian, each of whom have given enhance the lives of Cape Town’s
40 years of service. inhabitants. Sean’s unbroken
But key to the success of this service as a director, which required
objective is continuing to ensure The CEO of a Cape Town-based frequent commutes to Cape Town
that the Garden Cities towns of the company, Sean remains dedicated to while he pursued his career in
future remain sought-after and that his role as non-executive Chairman Johannesburg, is further evidence of
people who move into them achieve of Garden Cities. Although founded his dedication to the company.
greater growth in the value of their by his great-grandfather, with him
properties than those in surrounding and members of his family still on He recalls that at his first meeting as
suburbs. the Garden Cities board (he is the chairman, when he took over from
seventh Stuttaford to serve on the Denis Fletcher in 2001, he set the
Garden Cities will continue board), Sean says he doesn’t see it scene for his vision of Garden Cities’
striving to develop towns where as belonging to his family. He views future in a ‘long talk about what had
the residents will be empowered Garden Cities more as a legacy that to be changed’.
through the opportunities developed provides a way in which to serve the
and planned by the company. ‘I felt that Garden Cities, at the time,
people of Cape Town.
This will include having access to was not addressing the original
technology, support for SMMEs and Those of his family who have purpose. It was as if we had become
start-up business, access to physical served the company after Richard complacent, delivering homes to
infrastructure and transport nodes Stuttaford, were Richard’s sons Den people who could actually afford
and the standard Garden Cities and Jack, Den’s son Richard, Jack’s them. I recognized that I was the
offering that includes schools, sport son Michael, father of Sean, and his Stuttaford back at the helm and
Typical Archway Foundation school hall
18 19acknowledged that anyone in my members of the board – ‘the entire activities with sustainable growth He also pays tribute to John Matthews shortly after his
position, who was not a member dynamic was brilliant, and the requires careful management. Pieter Matthews, who arrived at Garden appointment as CEO, resulted from
of the family, would not have felt deep well of experience among the Bairnsfather Cloete together with Cities as a young man from John’s own schooling, where he
comfortable taking the chance of members was invaluable.’ my father Michael Stuttaford and university, and eventually became recognized that the lack of facilities
changing the company’s direction. Vic Christian are the three wise men the obvious choice for CEO of the in disadvantaged schools created a
Sean applauds the work and at Garden Cities, representing more company – a position he holds now serious impediment to the proper
‘It was up to me to implement dedication of the current directors in a group capacity that covers both and total education of the children.
than a century of service between
the changes that would make or who he says, have supported his Garden Cities and its construction His belief has since been borne out
them.
break the company – not enough vision and helped achieve Garden arm Pinelands Development by the opinion of a huge percentage
had been done to effect the Cities’ success at the 100-year ‘Tony Marsh and Justin White with Company (PDC). of the Cape’s educators who
transformation that was needed. milestone. many years development experience consider the halls to be an essential
between them are involved in all ‘We could not have done it without tool in a holistic education.
‘It needed a clear strategic objective Everybody contributes, he says, John,’ says Sean. ‘He implemented
the development and commercial
– South Africa was in a completely when applying their passion for the vision. ‘The rationale behind our
property related decision-making.
different place, and we had to meet assisting the people of Cape Town, establishment of the Archway
Eamonn Stuttaford deals with the
the needs of the New South Africa.’ He adds wryly that had they was: We know how to build, and
to the Board’s decisions. technology requirements, but also
foreseen what the path they were we know how vital education
Setting out his objectives, Sean represents the Stuttaford family
‘In particular Jannie Isaacs together planning looked like, ‘we might have is – so we need to combine our
told the board that Garden Cities together with our father Michael.’
with Myrtle February bring their been somewhat doubtful.’ skill with our conviction. This also
had now, as its major objective, to
wealth of hands-on experience Sean says that it is this broad wealth resulted in the adoption of another
deliver to the poorest of the poor Even the company’s enormous
to education-related decisions. of experience and skill which has educational initiative – to provide
and needed to find means other CSI programme, the Garden Cities
Taction Mafatle and Peter Heeger been the hallmark of the type of top-end laboratories to similarly
than building houses, to benefit the Archway Foundation turned up
together with the audit committee directors Garden Cities has been deprived schools in conjunction
people. The board supported him some unexpected problems, but
chairman, Vic Christian, keep a very privileged to attract over the past with a programme initiated by Prof
wholeheartedly. to date, it has provided 100 school
close eye on the financial aspects of century and which has ensured its Shaheed Hartley of the University of
halls to disadvantaged children of
Sean acknowledges that, while he the business. As the Garden Cities success. It is his hope that future the Western Cape.’
the Western Cape – at a current unit
was clear about what he wanted Group has grown, so has its financial generations will apply the same level price of over R6 million.
to do, there were some checks complexity. Being self-funded, of care when appointing people to
and balances provided by other the balancing of philanthropic the board. The Archway, initiated by John
20 21Infrastructure at Sunningdale:
Sports Club Hall, Regional Shopping
Centre and Blaauwberg Netcare Hospital
22 23It was during his years At first, Garden Cities went, what
commuting between Cape Sean describes as the ‘safe’ route,
Town and Johannesburg that by associating in the project with
Sean first became aware of a the developers of Cosmo City, Basil
major breakthrough project in Read Developers. They were initially
Johannesburg, providing homes for involved in the planning phases of
people who had never before owned what was to be the new Garden
Cities housing project – Greenville.
a proper house. It was Cosmo City
which today consists of 12 000 ‘Then, Garden Cities director
units developed over ten years, Tony Marsh examined the project
and was launched as a solution to more closely and identified some
the enormous backlog of homes in variances in our objectives from
Johannesburg. those of Cosmo City. For example,
we were insistent on underground
‘I saw this as the next step for
cabling for electricity – and hot
Garden Cities,’ says Sean. ‘The entire water. And ceilings in the homes
board flew to Johannesburg and were a non-negotiable. We needed
all agreed. This was the way to go! to take ownership of the project one
And to achieve success, we had to hundred percent, so we parted ways
work with government, employing with Basil Read, and embarked on
our skills again to provide for the the Greenville Garden City project
population of the Western Cape.’ on our own. We were adamant that
24 25our houses would not be little boxes 60% owned by Garden Cities and after 96 years of not being paid, He believes implicitly in South Africa.
crouching under overhead electricity 40% owned by Benex Australia, with Garden Cities directors now receive ‘I don’t want to be anywhere else. I’m
lines.’ Tony Marsh as managing director of remuneration. ‘Garden Cities is a comfortable here and there’s great
the South African company.’ very big business and our directors potential. I believe in the principles
Altogether, over R20 million was
discuss the deployment of mega of black economic empowerment;
spent in preparing for Greenville. Sean says decisions made by
millions of rand. We want them to the previously privileged have an
Garden Cities in this phase of its
‘John Matthews and Tony Marsh remain committed to their task and obligation to help. I am passionate
development must stand as the
took over the project. One of the expect an enormous amount of
benchmark of all future dealings about giving the best we can. This is
first needs that had to be identified dedication, hard work and research
by the company. ‘We must be clear embodied in enterprise development
was a building material and from them.
that there is no grey when it comes which is implicit in the success of
method that would both accelerate
to ethics and there has to be zero ‘It comes back to the conviction effective industrial growth.
delivery and provide all the quality
elements needed for the houses. tolerance of unethical behaviour. that I had at the start of my tenure
‘South Africa has some notable
This was found in an Australian This is something I feel very as chairman. Because I bear the
differences from its neighbours. We
company called Benex, that provides strongly about’. This also applies to Stuttaford name, and the heritage of
appointment decisions such as we my great-grandfather’s pioneering enjoy unassailable news media, both
revolutionary building material and
made with Tony Marsh – his efforts initiative, it is I who must set the mainstream and social – and most
methods that have been adopted
in the construction of the houses at ‘beyond the call of duty’ and his course again for the next 100 years. importantly - an enormously strong
Greenville. expertise made him the obvious business community. These are the
‘Not many people have the privilege things which mitigate the negative
choice to head up our Benex
‘As a result of the success of the to serve society as I have – to influences on our national stability.’
operation.’
materials, Garden Cities established contribute to the South Africa of the
a South African arm of the company, It is in this spirit he says, that future.’
26 27Pinehurst, Garden Cities northern flagship suburb 28 29
30 31
Justin White
Director and former General While both new suburbs were to in Garden Cities’ first Cape Town against profit-taking, and it took
Manager Justin White retired 15 service Garden Cities’ traditional development, Pinelands, where nearly a century for the directors to
years ago, but his quiet influence markets, the objective now was one hundred years later, properties even be remunerated. It has been
continues to be felt. He participated to provide funds to build homes continue to change hands at ever- driven by altruism that has endured
in the start of what could be seen for the poorest of the poor. What increasing values.’ through three generations and an
as the second quiet revolution in would not change, however, was the entire century. It’s quite remarkable.’
Garden Cities’ approach to its role in high quality and value for money Justin rates the transformation of
providing Cape Town with housing. that had always hallmarked the staff and directorship at Garden
Garden Cities product. ‘The houses, Cities as an extremely significant
As the board of Garden Cities like the homes we build for people process that is entirely within the Looking back, Justin
began to fulfill incoming chairman at the other end of the economic original founder’s vision. ‘It has says he’s intensely
Sean Stuttaford’s vision to generate
revenue needed for housing poor
spectrum, had to be aspirational, to involved a constant adaptation
from 1919 onwards, taking a careful
proud of being part
increase in value as time passed. We
communities, it was under Justin had to read the market, and design path, maintaining continuity and of Garden Cities’
White’s executive management that the houses with a long vision.’ empowering new generations to journey. ‘Throughout
its history, it has been
the company’s two most ambitious achieve success.’
residential projects began to take The thousands of houses built at
shape. Sunningdale and Pinehurst have Looking back, Justin says he’s guided by good people
‘If starting Garden Cities in 1919 was
fulfilled their role over 15 years in intensely proud of being part of doing the right thing.
the first revolution in the housing of
every respect, and are expected to
do so for some time to come. The
Garden Cities’ journey. ‘Throughout
its history, it has been guided by
It has never been for
Cape Town’s inhabitants, then the homes continue to sell from waiting good people doing the right thing. the narrow financial
establishment of Sunningdale, north lists and re-sales always show It has never been for the narrow returns.’
of Table View, and Pinehurst to the optimum capital gains. financial returns.’
north of Durbanville, was decidedly
the second,’ says Justin. ‘The quality lesson was learned Its very constitution militates
32
Justin White 33House layout and Sports Club hall at Sunningdale 34 35
John Matthews
His long-term vision has always been to get back
to the company’s roots, to the philosophy of helping
people as a primary concern.
A number of significant changes school for mentally -challenged partnership to assist the Foundation, also the residents who will come fair-handed manner today, seems general manager, he mentored John
occurred at Garden Cities around children, most with Down’s and help speed up the delivery of after them, to occupy homes at to have been forged in challenging and when the time came for him
the turn of the century, when syndrome, in Somerset West), the the halls. the lower end of the economic times which he now plays down. to retire, Justin nominated John as
the board, under chairman Sean group’s corporate social investment spectrum. his successor. The promotion was
Stuttaford, adopted some wide- projects, bursary schemes, and The Foundation also partners His first job was at Garden Cities, ratified unanimously by the board.
ranging amendments to the science learning centres. the University of the Western John meets his challenges with where, armed with a B.Comm
Cape’s school laboratory initiative, an accustomed calm that saw him degree, he worked in admin for John himself now faces a bout
direction of the company.
It was an enormous task that John refurbishing school science through his early years, growing PDC, employed by the then general of succession planning, with the
It was also the beginning of inherited from his predecessor laboratories, and providing fully- up and attending the same schools manager, Andy Donovan. At 25, he company’s official retirement age
the two Garden Cities flagship Justin White, but within a short equipped labs at schools that never that today he makes it his mission was appointed property manager currently pegged at 60.
developments: Sunningdale which while, he added to his workload a had such a facility. to help overcome disadvantages. at Garden Cities which, he says
His long-term vision has always
will continue for the foreseeable project that was close to his heart Matriculating at Wittebome High gave him the opportunity to pursue
Then, in 2012, another giant been to get back to the company’s
future, and Pinehurst, which is - the establishment of the Archway School under the watchful eye of his ambition to concentrate on the
project reached a launch stage, roots, to the philosophy of helping
nearing completion. Foundation which within 15 years his uncle, principal James Africa, property development aspects of
the integrated new development people as a primary concern.
has built 100 halls at disadvantaged he went on to complete his tertiary the business. To broaden his skills,
In 2003 John Matthews was schools in the Western Cape. It is a Greenville Garden City, in which education at the University of Cape he completed an MBA in 1997. ‘The need for survival can
appointed CEO of Garden Cities. project valued at more than R600 John holds a pivotal role. Not only Town which at the time required him sometimes take one’s focus from
He was responsible for the million, a major portion of which does he take practical responsibility to have a permit to attend. When Garden Cities head
core objectives, but the drive to
management of the company’s was drawn from earnings of Garden for balancing the logistics and office moved from Pinelands to
serve one’s stated goals – in our
huge new developments, and then Cities. strategies of building a town of its During those years, when political Edgemead, Justin White became
case, to make a better life for all –
became Group CEO for both Garden size, but also the expectations of the unrest began to disrupt campuses assistant general manager to Phil
must never be abandoned.’
Cities and PDC, as well the Archway Prompted by the success of the beneficiaries of the BNG (Breaking and communities, he said he Gallie, and John was taken under
Foundation, the Richard Stuttaford project, the Western Cape Education New Ground) houses, who have was more conscientised than Justin’s wing. In the six years that Greenville, he believes offers the
Trust (which built and manages a Department established a financial never owned property before – and revolutionised. His balanced and followed Justin’s appointment as range of opportunities needed to
John Matthews
36 37assist people to help themselves we have fought shy of spending Considering the way forward for
through small enterprises - the large amounts on marketing and existing and forthcoming projects,
provision of business opportunities branding of our housing products, John is pragmatic on the need for
that include services and retail, light relying instead on the attraction densification which he says must be
industry and even the branding of of what we provide in our towns – applied in a properly co-ordinated
spaza shops. schools, shopping centres, sports manner – in the right way, at the
facilities, parks, hospitals and right time and in the right places.
‘Greenville is the incubator for recently, a R20 million pool and Similarly, he believes that integration
entrepreneurship, and is Garden swimming academy and Five-a-Side is best served at meeting points
Cities’ process towards its own football pitches.’ that include commercial, sporting
evolution, and the manner in which
and educational nodes. Greenville,
we operate, that will help to change John says that the Garden Cities
he says is designed specifically for
the culture from dependency to self- board does not invest in projects for
pure commercial gain, but primarily this integration of services to entire
reliance.’
for the benefit of communities. communities at all points in the
He says that when residents of economic spectrum.
Greenville were told about the ‘The board’s strategy incorporates
constant change that will see the ‘It is our mission to help the poor
establishment of an inclusive
company completely different in and, in so doing, we have recognized
development forum, they started to
another 50 years, from what it is that the definition of poor has
take heart, seeing it for what it was,
now, shifting from concentration on changed. It is far more profound.
not a ‘top-down’ initiative but one
dwelling units to becoming asset- Our job is to ensure sustainability
where everyone who is involved had
based, and holding large commercial in the organisation and ensure that
a voice.
investment properties to continue to funds are applied effectively to
‘As part of our underlying strategy finance its work.’ address this even greater need.’
‘Greenville is the incubator for entrepreneurship, and is Garden Cities’
process towards its own evolution, and the manner in which we operate,
that will help to change the culture from dependency to self-reliance.’
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and Western Cape Education grounds of her school shortly after for the tasks a real hall would the plans for school halls to be built
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education authorities (there were at
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So convinced was she that a Park Primary before the end of her ‘It simply changed the life at the
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Plettenberg Bay science labs – and a school hall. ‘A
hall, in no particular order of priority,
and her staff planned to have nothing that she was the recipient Primary has a very strong music
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is indispensable in the holistic
a roof constructed over the of the President’s Award for School and dance department that she
Mossel Bay school’s quadrangle as an interim Leadership and that, on her watch, had promoted as the means to give
development of a child in a school
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environment,’ she declares.
solution. A not very successful the school was one of the top 10 children, who were not academically
compromise measure she says, schools in the province for literacy orientated, an opportunity to get
Mrs Feb, as she is affectionately because of the drawbacks of the and numeracy in its category. their ‘place in the sun’. ‘Every
Archway Foundation School Halls
40 41The 50th Archway Foundation hall was built at Sullivan Junior child is born with a talent and they She knew that the work of the motivation for success were, and still Centres as well, in collaboration
School in Steenberg, and also marked the school’s 50th anniversary cannot be disadvantaged if that foundation was a dream of the then are, highest on the list of potential with the UWC Education faculty.
talent is not what is conventionally recently-appointed CEO of Garden recipients. In some cases, however, And Garden Cities also has a long-
recognized as the measure of Cities, John Matthews, and of Sean priority is given to schools that are standing commitment to granting
achievement.’ Stuttaford, on his accession to experiencing particular difficulty, tertiary education bursaries to
chairmanship of the Garden Cities and whose potential for success is promising young students.’
For the parents, she says, it was board. impeded by the lack of facilities.
a revelation and a recognition Often, this is where the most impact In her ongoing work in education,
of the value of co-operation. ‘I ‘There was a huge motivation to is achieved. She rates her many with the Schools Turnaround
got the impression from the first make it work,’ she says. This was years in education as invaluable Foundation, Mrs Feb tackles
parent meeting we in her ability to help make good the transformation of schools in
had in the hall, that choices for the allocation of an
And when you ask her what the top three
disadvantaged areas, working
they were actually Archway hall.
with the principals to mitigate the
listening to what
non-negotiable facilities are that should ‘I believe that one of the most negative influences on teaching, and
we had to say. The
very fact that they
be essential at every school, she says important prospects for the success achieving improvements in general
were afforded the classrooms, science labs – and a school hall. of a hall in the schoolyard, is the performance.
dignity of sitting in a ‘A hall, in no particular order of priority, is enthusiasm with which it is received.
Halls by their nature are high-energy
dedicated hall at the
school which their
indispensable in the holistic development of a buildings and need a lot of action
children attended, child in a school environment,’ she declares. to justify their existence. When a
opened a new vision hall is shared, used and creatively
for them: ‘We are as adapted for many uses, it fulfils
good as anyone.’’ its potential. It is also an excellent
the course that Garden Cities was source of fundraising when hired out
The halls, she says, level the playing setting to perpetuate and validate to the community for a variety of
fields in the truest sense, by creating the aspiration of the founder purposes.
opportunities for skills development Richard Stuttaford, who vowed one
and generating a sense of pride as hundred years ago to help improve ‘Children can succeed against all
they showcase their talents. the lives of the people of Cape odds, but to be deprived of essential
Town. education facilities, is unjustifiably
Shortly afterwards, Mrs Feb was adding to the burden. The Archway
elected to chair the Archway It was vital, says Mrs Feb, that the Foundation and Garden Cities are
Foundation and from then on, right recipient choices were made heavily committed to assisting
has worked with her accustomed to ensure that halls were going to young people to achieve success,
fervour to ensure that the initiative provide the most benefit. Schools so not only do we provide halls, but
continues to be a success. that already demonstrated strong more recently, Science Learning
42 43Leadville Dog Park at Sunningdale 44 45
THE BENEX SOLUTION
factory, which now also exports Because of the unconventional
the product back to Australia, its nature of the building materials and
country of origin. construction methods, Benex had to
comply with standards that would
Managing Director of Benex Cape,
allow for the product to be issued
When Garden Cities Chairman realizing that it would be wiser to seen the earliest houses, that were times larger than conventional Tony Marsh, said it was vital, so that
with an Agrément certificate which
Sean Stuttaford saw Cosmo City in go it alone, the company chose to constructed with fired clay brick, cement blocks (8.33/m2) and the houses could be delivered as
was issued in 2014, allowing the
Johannesburg in 2010, he realized undertake the entire project. still in excellent condition with a almost half the weight per square effectively and fast as possible, for
materials and methods to be used in
that it was based on a concept reputation for low maintenance a metre. Interlocking, with a 0.5mm the ‘factory’ process to be in place,
the construction of the BNG houses
that would provide the solution for The BNG (Breaking New Ground) supplying the exact requirement
century later. tolerance, they have the same at Greenville Garden City.
Garden Cities’ plans to help alleviate component of the project, to of pre-packaged materials. This
thermal insulation properties as a
the enormous shortage of housing provide houses for people who Quality is paramount, but in the eliminated all manufacturing on
clay brick cavity wall. They have a Tony Marsh says that, while the
for the poor of the Western Cape. have never owned homes before, context of a huge project that site, and minimised the need
four-hour fire rating, and are also Benex product is ideal for use in the
is a public/private partnership with needs to be completed within an for extensive adjustments to be
impervious to water. An enormous construction of economic housing,
The company had already the City of Cape Town, through unusually short time, alternative made for the components to fit.
advantage is that they are laid twice it is also a product that can be used
identified 767 ha of land it owns which the government grants to building materials that perform They are in effect, ‘packaged’
as fast in a unique way with a thin in up-market housing. The Olympic
in Fisantekraal on the border of beneficiaries of the houses, are equally well, had to be found. houses, a system which alleviates
bed mortar (1mm joints) by a less Village in Sydney was built with
Durbanville outside Cape Town as administered. Eventually an Australian producer of discussion of unequal benefits, or
skilled workforce of installers who Benex products and has become a
the site for an integrated new town alternative masonry products, Benex dissatisfaction on the part of the
One of the first hurdles to have been specifically trained to lay highly sought-after suburb where
that was later to be called Greenville Technologies, proved to have the
overcome in the production of BNG the blocks. beneficiaries.
Garden City, launched in March 2016. houses have consistently increased
housing is the issue of quality and solution to the high-volume, good
The houses all have one floor plan in value. In the Greenville context,
quality requirements of the Garden The installers previously worked
The entire development is eventually maintenance, as traditionally, many says Marsh, the product has taught
Cities Greenville project. as labourers, or were unemployed. design, which is 95% identical for
planned to accommodate 16 000 of the so-called low-cost housing Garden Cities that high-quality
After three to six months they are each house, and four different roof
homes at varying economic levels projects have presented problems of production-line construction is a
As a result, Garden Cities entered able to lay the equivalent of 400 styles. Windows, doors, bathrooms
that will include bonded housing. cracking walls and other failures that possibility.
a joint venture with the Australian clay masonry units a day. Their and kitchens are all exactly the
immediately add to the budgeted
An entire infrastructure will company, to form a South African qualifications, obtained in the same in keeping with the ‘package’
costs. Among the most important benefits
eventually be built on the Greenville company, Benex Cape, which has relatively short training courses, identity of the units.
of Benex are lower labour costs,
site, including 12 primary and high The Western Cape produces around established a manufacturing plant do not extend to conventional
The houses are built using labour cheaper and better quality materials
schools, an integrated transport hub 8 000 BNG houses a year and the in Epping, to make the lightweight bricklaying, or the use of
from the informal settlement at and time-saving. The finished
and a welter of community facilities. level of complaints about cracking building blocks and panels. conventional mortar.
Fisantekraal, where there are Benex-constructed walls don’t need
and poor workmanship is high.
Initially Garden Cities was in a The Benex building blocks are Currently the company is working currently 1 500 homes. There are to be plastered, resulting in even
collaborative arrangement with Garden Cities, in its 100-year history individually moulded and made on 40 houses a month, each of no qualified builders among the further cost savings, and the roofing
the developers who had been has relied on the tried and tested of cement, sand and expanded which is 40 m2, with materials residents, and 97% have no skills for materials have built-in ceilings and Tony Marsh
responsible for Cosmo City, but traditional materials that have polystyrene pellets. They are 1.5 supplied from Benex Cape’s Epping conventional building. insulation.
46 47GARDEN CITIES’
LEADERSHIP IN
GREEN BUILDING
48 49Garden Cities has taken a leading of workshops has been initiated
role in establishing an over-arching to introduce the guides which are
Green Building methodology available to be read on the company
and has created a series of website www.gardencities.co.za
comprehensive guides called
Greening our Supply Chain. The objective is to ultimately ensure
that the cumulative effect of the
Designed both for use within the company’s Green Policy is achieved,
company and externally via its with ‘zero waste to landfill’ as the
materials and service suppliers, goal.
the guides set out a vision for
sustainable green communities and With a dedicated guide for
define recommended focus areas homeowners, and the creation of
for Green Building, according to the an environmentally sustainable
environmental sustainability themes: development code for contractors,
Water, Energy and Materials. suppliers and consultants, Garden
Cities aims to set new benchmarks
Garden Cities has long been a leader for the development industry and its
in its field, adjusting and evolving to market.
constantly-changing development
conditions including being Garden Cities’ leadership in green
compliant with SANS 10400 XA and development thinking, has for
other building code regulations well instance, resulted in innovative
before their release. ways of exploiting grey water
opportunities with each new
The development of its own residential break. It is meeting the
Green Policy resulted in the challenge from the City of Cape
earlier publication of a dedicated Town to find alternative water
Garden Cities supports the call 'to act now handbook with guidelines for sources and adapting landscaping
to reform our food and energy systems and homeowners. And now the three to be less water dependent while
meet global commitments on addressing further handbooks are being retaining the Garden Cities’ core
introduced to suppliers, consultants green characteristics.
climate change, protecting biodiversity and and contractors, to encourage their
supporting sustainable development.' buy-in. A successful programme The initial workshops were received
50 51You can also read
