The heart of Hangberg is beating again! Following years of illegal occupation, the Hangberg Civic Centre has been fully restored and officially returned to its people.
Cape Town, South Africa (21 April 2026) – Once a vital thread in the fabric of Hangberg, the Hangberg Civic Centre was a place where the community gathered for their most significant moments, from weddings and matric celebrations to memorials and important public meetings.
Over the years, however, the centre fell into ruin and was subject to vandalism following a period of illegal occupation. In response to community complaints and calls to restore the site to its former glory, the City took action.
The City of Cape Town is now proud to announce the restoration and reopening of the Hangberg Civic Centre. Following the eviction of illegal occupants who had been there for several years, the facility was refurbished at a cost of just over R1,9 million.
Work at the centre included the repairs to the roofing structure, including roof sheets and gutters; installation of aluminium doors and windows, new handrails to ramped walkways, refurbishment of ablutions and external structural crack repairs.
A further R1,9 million was invested in the nearby Hangberg Recreation Centre, including roof and plumbing repairs. The centre hosts a range of community programmes, including dance, volleyball, football, basketball, and two seniors’ clubs.
“During a recent visit to the facilities, it was encouraging to see these spaces already alive with activity, filled with young people running, playing and making full use of what is on offer. These facilities provide safe, accessible environments that create positive alternatives and opportunities for young people, helping to steer them away from gangs and crime,” said Councillor Francine Higham, Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health.
Higham further thanked residents for their patience while we worked towards making these facilities operational and available for use again.
Councillor Rob Quintas, Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, shared similar sentiments, saying he was happy to see the centre beautifully refurbished and returned to the community.
“For years, residents were robbed of this much-loved hall due to illegal occupiers stripping it to a shell, and I know that loss was felt deeply by our seniors’ groups, community performers and many others. From now on, new memories will be made here. Birthday parties, church gatherings, maybe even a wedding or two. That is what this centre was always meant for,” he said.
While significant progress has been made, the City acknowledges that more work is still needed and remains committed to continued investment in these spaces as funding becomes available.
Report vandalism and suspicious behaviour to the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre: 021 480 7700
Sources: City of Cape Town
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