The SA Riding for the Disabled Association is searching for alternative land after the 8.9 hectare state-owned property in Brommersvlei Road was awarded by the Land Claims Court to the Sadien family in restitution for land they once owned at Sillery Farm.
The future of the SA Riding for the Disabled Association (SARDA) is still up in the air.
It is almost eight years since Sarda heard through a neighbour that the 8.9 hectare stateowned property in Brommersvlei Road had been awarded by the Land Claims Court to the Sadien family in restitution for land they once owned at Sillery Farm.
Several court cases followed.
The latest proceedings were held over Skype in March, and Sarda is now awaiting finalisation of a compensation deal.
Sarda has leased the land from the Department of Public Works since 1981.
According to Sarda spokeswoman Bee Lukey, the initial rental of R1 was amended many years ago to about R2 500 a year.
Because of the land claim, Sarda is continuing to pay this rent but into a trust account.
Meanwhile it continues to search for alternative premises.
Earlier this year, Sarda applied for a tender to move onto Public Works land at the end of Dennedal Road in Tokai, next to the Pony Club.
However, Ms Lukey said last week that any talk about the possible move at this stage was just rumour.
“Sarda itself does not know where and when they will be moving. All they are doing is investigating options.”
On Tuesday, provincial Department of Public Works spokesman Jandré Bakker, said Sarda had abandoned its application for the lease on the Dennedal Road land.
Ms Lukey said Sarda had pulled out because the terms of the lease were not viable for Sarda.
“So, we are still investigating options for land and at the same time following the process of the compensation settlement.”
Sarah Tiffin, of the Pony Club, said: they are aware that Sarda had applied to the DPW for the tender to lease the vacant Tokai land adjoining them.
“The general feeling is that we would like the land to be used by Sarda as they provide therapeutic horse-riding to about 200 children, and some adults, with disabilities from disadvantaged backgrounds. It also complements an equestrian hub next to SANParks.”
According to Marian Nieuwoudt, mayoral committee member for spatial planning and environment, the vacant school site Sarda had applied to Public Works to lease is zoned Community 2, which allows for a place of instruction, including instruction in sport.
She said there’s a big demand for land to be used for Westlake Village High School as the land is zoned for education. DPW confirmed this.
Terry Simon, treasurer of the Tokai Residents’ Association (TRA), said they recently learned of the proposed lease over the vacant portion in Dennedal Road.
Ms Lukey said Sarda had survived the lockdown through “a generous endowment”.