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Tuesday 24 December 2013

All hands on deck for beach ‘pilgrimage’


People come in their thousands from across the city in overloaded taxis and buses to beaches, say communities. Pictures: Matthew Jordaan.
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Cape Town - While some Capetonians avoid the beaches at all costs on Boxing Day, many residents come in their droves from across the city for a day of fun in the sun.

This annual “pilgrimage” means that popular beaches such as Camps Bay, Muizenberg and Kalk Bay will be packed with people who often don’t get to enjoy the city’s coastal attractions.

Richard Bosman, City of Cape Town executive director of safety and security, said an estimated 200 000 people were expected on city beaches on Boxing Day (Day of Goodwill).

The city does have a festive season plan to ensure that revellers celebrate in a safe and clean environment, but residents in Kalk Bay fear that the lack of law enforcement at the harbour’s beach may encourage anti-social behaviour during peak season.

“People know there’s no control on that beach and they come in overloaded bakkies and taxis,” said Tony Trimmel, chairman of the Kalk Bay and St James Residents’ and Ratepayers’ Association.

He described the influx of “thousands” of people to the beach at this time of the year as an annual “pilgrimage”.

The beach used to be cleaned and patrolled by the city council, but these services have dwindled now that it is managed by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Trimmel said.

Harbour staff collected more than 300 bags of litter after last year’s Boxing Day festivities, but Trimmel said the council refused to take the bags away. The state of the beach was “shocking”.

He said the community was trying to put a plan in place to control access to the beach, as well as and the consumption of alcohol over the festive season.

Bosman said the beach was part of the harbour, and it was therefore the harbour master’s responsibility to provide services.

Meanwhile, Camps Bay ward councillor Beverley Schafer has asked for reinforcements at the Blue Flag beaches of Camps Bay and Clifton, ahead of Boxing Day and Tweede Nuwe Jaar.

She said the city was expecting at least 10 000 people to gather on Camps Bay beach.

Chris Willemse, chairman of the Camps Bay Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association, said that they had come to expect the large influx of people into Camps Bay on December 26 as something that happened once a year.

“It's a festive time. Obviously parking is a problem and getting everyone out of Camps Bay is also a bit of a problem.”

Willemse said people sometimes stayed on the beach until 3am waiting for their transport.

Some people find Cape Town beaches too full and go further afield.

Although the city has moved into the “festive season” stage of its peak season planning and there will be increased visibility and “sustained” deployment of law enforcement to the main beaches until January 4 Schafer felt that some of the busier beaches were still understaffed.

Law enforcement would be bolstered by auxiliary volunteers.

There would also be undercover informal trading police on the beaches to stop illegal traders from selling pirated goods.

anel.lewis@inl.co.za
Cape Argus
http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/western-cape/all-hands-on-deck-for-beach-pilgrimage-1.1626541#.UwSAbZFWwpE

Saturday 21 December 2013

Cape’s beaches beckon visitors

Cape’s beaches beckon visitors


Clifton s Blue Flag Fourth Beach is a must-see but there is no access for the physically disabled. Picture Leon Lestrade

It’s beach weather, the holidays are here for most of us, and visitors are arriving in droves.
And beachgoers are spoilt for choice in a city which boasts eight Blue Flag beaches, a status which assures strict safety, amenities, cleanliness and environmental standards.

Recent concerns over water quality do raise issues, but the advice from Belinda Walker, mayco member for community services and special projects, is for people to be alert for warning signs posted in the event of problems.

Weather plays a vital role, and Walker explained that water quality varied according to circumstances, including run-off from stormwater outlets and river pollution.

“Poor water quality can at times be attributed to rainfall events which wash pollution down the stormwater system and rivers. These are often short-term events and, due to the high energy nature of the sea, the pollution dissipates and clears relatively quickly.”

The Blue Flag beaches, which account for a significant proportion of the total of 41 in South Africa, are Clifton 4th Beach, Bikini Beach, Mnandi, Strandfontein, Muizenberg, Silwerstroomstrand, Llandudno and Camps Bay.

A quick list of their special qualities includes:

  • Clifton’s Fourth Beach is a definite must-see for anyone visiting Cape Town, despite its icy waters. Due to the narrow and winding steps down to the beach, there is no access for the physically disabled.
  • Bikini Beach, reportedly named after the tiny bikinis worn by students at the nearby Stellenbosch University, is sheltered from the southerly winds of summer, and is close to the Gordon’s Bay Harbour.


  • The 3km stretch of Mnandi Beach offers visitors a kiosk, braai area and a tidal pool, and is watched by 16 lifeguards. There is parking for more than 400 cars.
  • Strandfontein Beach boasts the biggest tidal pool in the southern hemisphere. Waters around the area are usually warm, but it can get very windy in early summer.
  • Muizenberg Beach, despite its limited 200m stretch, offers entertainment for the whole family. The nearby Muizenberg Pavilion offers children a waterslide, an outdoor swimming pool and a mini golf course. The family can also enjoy a meal from any of the surrounding restaurants.
  • Silwerstroomstrand is a resort on the West Coast, about 10km outside Atlantis. Visitors and holidaymakers can rent a bungalow or stay at the nearby caravan park.
  • Llandudno, described as one of Cape Town’s most picturesque beaches, with Judas Peak and Klein Leeukoppie on either side of its edges, is best known for its sunbathing or sundowners. The nearby Logies Bay boasts a bit of history as its caves were once used by the Khoisan people.
  • One of Cape Town’s most well-known beaches for its pristine shore and tranquil waters, Camps Bay remains a popular spot for local and international visitors, and plays host to the Summer Festival.


Walker said the city would be looking to add more Blue Flag beaches from among its remaining 62 contenders. Only 24 of the beaches have lifeguards on duty during the peak season.

“The eight blue flags are of international standard, and we are working towards increasing the number. Generally, the state of Cape Town beaches is good, but there is always more that can be done, and we are working continuously towards this.”

She warned too that thanks to Cape Town’s “highly-populated urban environment”, some pollution of beaches was inevitable.

“Where this occurs, City Health will signpost any beaches not suitable for swimming,” she said, but added that this was “a rare occurrence”.

City authorities, meanwhile, urged those visiting beaches where lifeguards and shark spotters were present to always be aware, and listen to any warnings given.

kowthar.solomons@inl.co.za

Cape Argus

http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/western-cape/cape-s-beaches-beckon-visitors-1.1625534#.UwR-W5FWwpE

Wednesday 18 December 2013

Crack down on beach boozers


More than 600 litres of alcohol have been seized on Cape Town's beaches since the start of December.

“That's nearly triple the amount compared to the same period last year,” said Jean-Pierre Smith, member of the mayoral committee responsible for safety.

“The city is committed to providing a safe environment for residents and visitors who use our beaches this festive season.”

He said the disorderly conduct associated with excessive alcohol usage made beaches unsafe and unpleasant for others.

“In addition to this, drinking excessive amounts of alcohol is one of the leading causes of drowning. We will continue to confiscate alcohol on beaches in order to make our beaches safe for everyone,” he said.

The city has a by-law prohibiting the introduction, possession and consumption of liquor on beaches.

Offenders would have their liquor confiscated and receive a written notice to appear in court, with a fine of R500.

http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-courts/crack-down-on-beach-boozers-1.1624307#.UwR-W5FWwpE

Tuesday 10 December 2013

Refuse Removal and Waste Recycling



December 2013

Refuse Removal and Waste Recycling

We at Waste Control (a Division of the SA Metal Group) are responsible for the removal of both wet (kitchen) refuse and dry (recyclable) waste from all residents and the majority of businesses, schools and institutions across the Atlantic Seaboard from Bantry Bay to Hout Bay.

We were awarded the tender as your service provider from the City of Cape Town in January 2012. Our major goals were (and still are) as follows;

  1. Ensure that our compactor vehicles for wet waste and recycle vehicles never miss a collection on the day allocated to them
  2. To have a permanent supervisor in the area who is able to communicate with residents should they wish
  3. To operate the most modern (new) vehicles to ensure minimum environmental noise and oil spills
  4. To never work out of the hours of 6am to 4pm (this is a huge challenge over the festive season however due to congested traffic and servicing 30% more residents)
  5. To market the concept of separating and packing of recyclables in the free Waste Control plastic bags that we provide to households and institutions etc. At present an average of 78% of residents participates in recycling, the highest in the Western Cape and in fact the country.
  6. To constantly upskill our drivers. They have a one week advanced training course on an annual basis. 
  7. To ensure that our runners (collectors) are fit, have no criminal records, are dressed smartly and appropriately and utilize the correct legislative protective wear at all times
  8. Our staff is obliged to greet and wave at any resident they come across.
  9. Our employees are not allowed to accept gifts from anyone.
  10. To man our call centre for complaints 24/7 and respond immediately. In nearly two years we have not received more than 30 complaints or queries
  11. And lastly and most importantly, to ensure when all your residents return from school lifts, work or other chores, there is no refuse in their streets or outside their homes. It is our mission to give all the residents the opportunity to view their pristine community at all times without any eyesore clouding their vision.(especially if the black wheelie bins have already been taken back into the households)

Whether we have met these objectives only your residents and business people can judge but as a resident of Camps Bay myself, when I see our vehicle collect my waste and recyclables on the minute at 6.30 am every Tuesday, I feel a huge amount of gratitude and pride in our employees and am fairly confident that waste or refuse removal is a problem that no one ever has to deal with in our community whether they be in a leadership role or are just “the man/woman in the street”. That is how it should be in a modern safe suburb.

As an aside we were also contracted to service the Deep South Peninsular for 3 years until we were awarded the Atlantic Seaboard tender. To this day we still receive letters, e mails and phone calls pleading with us to return to be their service contractor. The ratepayers also protested when the tender was awarded to another company but to no avail. The city has a policy of awarding a private waste removal company only one area at a time. I hope this changes in late 2014 when our tender terminates. It really has been a pleasure to work in such a magnificent part of the Cape Peninsular and we would like to continue our relationship with you. (Although the Deep South was also so picturesque) But I digress.

For the festive period please can you advise all your residents, businesses, visitors and institutions; (in fact these are policies we have throughout the year)

  1. Not to give any of our staff “Xmas boxes” We provide our staff with bonuses for their commitment and dedication.
  2. Explain to all your visitors through your visitors info centres, neighbourhood watches, notice boards etc to participate in our recycling programme
  3. To stop bergies and the homeless to scratch in refuse bags. It is the most arduous task for our staff to collect broken bags from say the Clifton steps and bring them up to the road. This is soul destroying work
  4. Visitors and residents should be told of their collection days. They should not put out their waste the evening before the collection day. The perfect time is between 6am and 6.30 am on collection days especially in the summer. We cannot afford a fly infestation in our suburb. In this way people do not party too hard as they need to be up early to put out their bins and bags.
  5. Residents should wash their black wheelie bins with disinfectant weekly
  6. We are not allowed to collect grass, branches, rubble, broken glass, disused furniture and/or garden clippings. Either residents can dispose of these at the City Garden Refuse Camps throughout the City or call 
  7. When it is windy secure the bins and bags to ensure that they do not fly all over the streets.
  8. We will be collecting refuse and recyclables throughout the festive season including Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and other public holidays.

Lastly it is deeply distressing that you have the website of our opposition who has nothing to do with refuse removal or recycling on the Atlantic Seaboard on the CBRRA website. Please immediately change this. Our websites are www.sametal.co.za and www.wastecontrol.co.za where there is further information simplified for all. Please add it to yours.

We wish you a peaceful, relaxing and non windy festive season..

I have copied in our ward councilor into this e mail as well.

Important contact details

Waste Control Operations;
021 507 8700
Supervisor; Elliot Ndinisa;
071 906 5028
Director; Jonathan Biderman-Pam;
083 653 7126
City of Cape Town;
086 010 3089

Please feel free to contact me if you have any concerns, complaints, questions or maybe even a compliment or two although we are driven to perfection in our commitment to you and don’t expect affirmation for achieving our goals.


Yours faithfully

Waste Control

Jonathan Biderman-Pam
Divisional Director

Monday 9 December 2013

CBBRA Objection to lease of public open space to WCPG and CBBC / CBPPS Partitioned Proposal

The Regional Head: Property Holding (Cape Town Region)
City of Cape Town
Box 4557
Cape Town 8000

ATTN: Mr Donavon Geysman 
Per: Donavon.geysman@capetown.gov.za

Dear Mr Geysman

PROPOSED LEASE OF PUBLIC OPEN SPACE TO THE WESTERN CAPE PROVINCIAL
GOVERNMENT (WCPG) ERVEN 601, REM 605, REM 17, PORTION 2457, PORTION REM 188, PORTION ERF 187
& PORTION 215
LOCATION: THE DRIVE
SUBURB: CAMPS BAY

The CBRRA, as the sole constituted and City-accredited ratepayer association in the suburb and environs, strongly objects to this application.

The CBRRA will set out its objections hereunder and will, further, propose an alternative lease option that it firmly believes will be in the better interests of the community, the Camps Bay Preparatory School (CBPS, the ultimate intended beneficiary of the proposed lease) and the Camps Bay Bowling Club (CBBC, the current lessee of the abovementioned land). For ease, the various erven detailed above shall be referred to as the Property.

The CBRRA fully understands the space constraints currently experienced by the CBPS and supports its efforts to expand onto extended, suitable land, of which a portion of the Property would be ideal.
However, the CBBC has shown itself to be a viable and sustainable sports club, with a substantial
investment in improvements on the Property and which certainly has a powerful right to its existing lease.

The CBBC also serves the residents of Camps Bay by allowing its facilities to be used by the community. It must be noted that as recently as late 2012, the City’s Mayco Member for Community Services, Tandeka Gqada, had publicly announced that the CBBC is a sustainable sporting club and that the City would not interfere with a valid, legal lease agreement. The perceived circumstances surrounding this apparent sea change in approach by the City will not be dealt with in this submission.


The CBBC and its requirements:

It has been clearly established that the CBBC has been in existence for almost a century and has a
proud record as a successful sporting body and of being a force to reckon with on the bowling greens
of the Province. The honours boards adorning the walls of the club detail a virtual history of Camps Bay and its residents. At a time when this sport is not as enthusiastically supported as in the past, the
CBBC is one of the few clubs that is actually growing in membership. The City has an obligation to
support this trend.

  • As a club that competes in WPBA open competitions, the CBBC must continue to have two operational bowling greens and sufficient parking to serve both its members and visitors, particularly visiting bowling teams. The parking in the village area of Camps Bay is already woefully insufficient in terms of the number of visitors to the area in general.
  • As a club that has been assessed and found to be viable and sustainable, it is essential that the CBBC retain the necessary infrastructure to allow its continued existence and current growth. This, in CBRRA’s opinion, must include for a functions hall, suitable recreation/seating area, a dedicated members social area, in terms of its valid liquor license, and associated ablution facilities.


The CBPS and its requirements: 

It is common cause that the CBPS has become a sought after educational facility and has had an
increased enrolment over the past years, to a point where many potential learners have to be turned
away annually.

• The minimum requirements of the CBPS in the short term are for at least two additional
classrooms and an assembly hall. Ideally, the CBPS would look to providing a further three
classrooms.
• The CBPS, due to the constraints of the existing campus, also requires a suitable play
and sport area.
The Camps Bay Community and its needs:
Camps Bay is a peri-urban suburb of Cape Town, formally established well over a century ago, with a
stable population whose demographic could be generally described as family residential with an age
spread from young to senior.
• Camps Bay has a need to accommodate its children in terms of adequate and sustainable
schooling facilities.
• Camps Bay has a need to accommodate its residents who enjoy the various sporting codes that
are on offer, including the well-established CBBC.
• Camps Bay has a desperate need for multi-usage Public Open Space (POS) to mitigate against
the dramatic increase in the built environment over the past decade or two. Communities have
a right to POS, which the City is bound to supply or, as in this case, preserve. It is vital to the
community to promote a “green lung” through the increasingly clogged central village.
• With the (over) development of the village area of Camps Bay, all multi-usage community
facilities have effectively all but completely disappeared. The City has an obligation to provide
such facilities to its ratepayers and citizens and the loss of the CBBC’s facilities and especially
its hall, to an authority such as the WCPG Education Department, which is not bound to provide
community facilities at all, is totally unacceptable to the residents of Camps Bay – especially in
the absence of a Camps Bay community civic centre.
• The CBBC, in its submission in this matter, has detailed the many and varied community
activities and gatherings that currently take place in the CBBC hall. The CBRRA considers that
this frequent usage of the hall, both by the CBBC and the many other community activities,
alone justifies its continued existence in its current form.
• The argument has been made that the hall could continue to serve the community, even if
under the control of the Education Department. This is only partially correct, as, in terms of the
SA Schools Act, no alcohol is allowed on school property. This will exclude most public
functions, weddings, social gatherings and parties, which are currently held at this venue.


The solution to the current requirements:

The CBRRA has addressed the situation and engaged extensively with all of the role players and is
firmly of the view that the Property be shared between the CBBC and the CBPS on a mutually-agreed
partitioned basis, tied to new lease agreements with the City that offer sustainability to both lessees.
Whereas, due to circumstance and time constraints, a full development plan is not available at this
time, a workable framework has been established with the tacit support of the various parties and their representatives. It is envisaged by CBRRA that a land requirement plan could be determined within two months of this date (given the unavailability of most representatives over the holiday period).

If this is successful, then it is proposed that an agreed, amended lease application be made by the
WCPG for consideration by the City. In any event, in a relatively short period of time, the affected
parties could, fairly easily, provide a workable solution for consideration by the City. This is, in
CBRRA’s opinion, an extremely worthwhile avenue to pursue.

It is submitted that the Provincial and Local Authorities must view any proposal, which enjoys the
support of all the affected parties in this matter, as preferable. In its current form, this application is
extremely one-sided and offensive to the community and, of course, the CBBC - and will, in all
likelihood, elicit strong opposition from many quarters with concomitant legal challenges.
This will not only cause unnecessary divisions in a closely-knit community but also ultimately be
counter-productive to the real needs of the various affected parties.


With reference to the attached plan, it is proposed that:

• The existing parking area, previously the third bowling green, be redeveloped to accommodate
school buildings (to be determined by the CBPS), a play/sport area of over 650m2 for the
learners and at least forty parking bays. The usage of the parking must be decided between the
CBPS and the CBBC – however, given the different times of usage of the respective parties,
this should be relatively easily resolved.
• The existing bar area be alienated from the CBBC lease area and be made available to the
CBPS. The CBBC may relocate this facility to an area on the north end of the parking area
adjacent to the western bowling green. It is anticipated that any such structure will be
constructed on a column and slab system so as to allow for vehicular parking underneath.
The financial implications thereof to be negotiated by the CBBC and the CBPS/WCPG.
• The existing two bowling greens and the hall remain in the lease portion of the CBBC
improvements. The alienated portion of the existing CBBC improvements will have to be totally
partitioned off from those remaining elements in order to comply with the relevant pieces of
legislation in the SA Schools Act regarding alcohol on school premises.
The advantages to the “partitioned” option:
• It will result in a “win-win” situation where the needs and requirements of the CBBC, the CBPS
and the community are reasonably satisfied.
• It will expedite the process of expanding the CBPS premises in that there will be CBBC and
CBRRA (community) support for the revised lease proposal, which should streamline the
process.
• It is assumed that, in the alternative to a partitioned option, the CBBC will defend its lease at all
costs. This will lead to lengthy and expensive appeal processes and objections at all stages of
the currently advertised lease proposal. Not only will the Property need to be re-zoned, but it
currently also consists of six different erven, each with its own unique restrictive title deed
conditions, which will have to be brought into conformity with the proposed usage. Although the
proposed partitioned option will require certain land usage amendments, it will be more easily
achieved without objecting parties delaying the process. Further, it is envisaged that the
affected parties will support temporary departures.
• The existing improvements on the Property rightfully belong to the CBBC. It is inconceivable
that the CBBC not be fully compensated for same, if the Property is alienated in favour of the
Education Department. There is presently no indication as to who will be responsible for an
amount that is estimated well in excess of R10m.
• The CBBC can rationalize the existing spread of its facilities that has built up over the years.
This will compel a better focus on its resources that will put it in a better position to motivate a
renewal of its lease with the City when the current lease expires.
• The community will retain a vital piece of POS which will benefit all residents of all ages and
offer a sanctuary for its senior citizens – which is also their constitutional right – as well as
providing an acceptable community meeting venue.
• It is unrealistic to lease over 6700m2 to the CBPS, especially as it already occupies
approximately 2780m2 on the neighbouring school property. The maintenance of such a large
piece of land, including market-related rental to the City, renders the proposal non-viable. In a
time of austerity, as frequently claimed by the WCPG, it is clearly unsustainable to embark
upon such unnecessary expenditure.
• It is unclear as to the financial responsibility for any new improvements to the Property should
the advertised lease option be accepted, given that the lease is only for a 10 year period. The
CBPS would surely need major improvements to the Property if granted over 6700m2 of land.
• It is submitted that it would be a tremendous waste of a scarce public resource to simply
transfer this large Property to a party that does not need the entire area when a portion thereof
will suffice and there exists a critical need for the remainder by both the CBBC and the
community.
• The synergy of the children and the senior citizens of Camps Bay sharing an historic and
invaluable piece of land in the centre of the village is inescapable and will reflect the vision of
our sadly departed Madiba, who placed such a high value on a shared vision for this country.

The CBRRA respectfully requests that the assessment process that will follow this public participation process be held over to allow for meaningful discussions between the parties, which the CBRRA hereby offers to facilitate.

Given the potentially long road that this application might have to follow, it makes sense to explore a “win-win” option that could dramatically reduce this time frame and be beneficial to all parties.

Regards

CHRIS WILLEMSE
CHAIRPERSON

CBRRA contact: Chris Willemse Mobile 0836536363 Fax 086 626 1636


Tuesday 3 December 2013

CCT extends Life Guard Agreement

CAPE TOWN – The City of Cape Town has assured holidaymakers all major beaches will have lifeguards at key times during the busy festive season.

The city has put in place an extended service at 24 beaches over the holidays.

The municipality’s Belinda Walker has appealed to the public to listen to lifeguards.

“They’re not kill-joys, they are just trying to keep people safe. If they say swim in a particular place it’s because some parts of the beach may not be safe.”

In September, two teenagers on a school trip to Cape Town drowned just off Camps Bay Beach.

At the time, there were no lifeguards on duty.

Friday 29 November 2013

Guesthouse at centre of Camps Bay storm

Guesthouse at centre of Camps Bay storm

Camps Bay residents want an investigation into whether alterations made by the owners of Ocean View Guest House are responsible for flood damage to nearby properties. Photo: Tracey Adams
Cape Town - Camps Bay residents believe a guesthouse neighbour’s alterations to the flow of a mountain stream resulted in damage to their properties after last week’s heavy rains.

Now they believe the owner should be held liable. The owner has declined to comment.

Last week the Cape Argus reported on the damage caused by water to properties in Bakoven and Camps Bay.

Chris Willemse, chairman of the Camps Bay Ratepayers and Residents Association, said the area had been inspected because the systems in place should have been able to deal with the volume of water caused by heavy rains.

“Our inspection revealed that the river had been dammed, allegedly by the owner of the Ocean View Guest House (erf 1340), with a wall about three metres high. This block and stone wall, with a few 110mm diameter relief pipes, was built in the river corridor on erf 1341 Camps Bay, which is zoned as city-owned public open space,” said Willemse.

“The dam wall failed in the storm and it can only be assumed that a wall of water swept down on to the culvert, well beyond its design parameters.”

Willemse said no building plans existed for any construction on the council-owned erf. He said the wall contravened the National Environmental Management Act regulations for construction and excavation within 32m of a watercourse and within 100m of the high-water mark of the sea.

He also believed that construction of the dam and other illegal work to create visual water features contravened the local zoning scheme regulations, the National Building regulations and Building Standards Act.

Willemse said the association was prepared to lay charges against the guesthouse owner if necessary.

“Citizens of Cape Town are paying for a massive operation to repair the damage and if it can be attributed to the owner of this property, the owner must be held responsible.”

Belinda Walker, mayoral committee member for community services and special projects, said the city was aware of the matter and had asked the provincial Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning to investigate if the property owner had broken the law.

Walker said the provincial department had fined the guesthouse R475 000 for unlawful activity.

“The city is also assessing what measures will be required to rectify the situation. We are considering various options, including the removal or alteration of the illegal structures in and around the river.”

Mushfeeqah Croeser, spokeswoman for the provincial department, said there was no environmental authorisation for the wall.

The department would investigate the matter.

Katrin Ludik, general manager of Ocean View Guest House, said the matter was a complex issue and did not wish to comment on it at this stage.

Wednesday 20 November 2013

NSRI warns beachgoers

CAPE TOWN – The City of Cape Town has assured holidaymakers all major beaches will have lifeguards at key times during the busy festive season.

The city has put in place an extended service at 24 beaches over the holidays.

The municipality’s Belinda Walker has appealed to the public to listen to lifeguards.

“They’re not kill-joys, they are just trying to keep people safe. If they say swim in a particular place it’s because some parts of the beach may not be safe.”

In September, two teenagers on a school trip to Cape Town drowned just off Camps Bay Beach.

At the time, there were no lifeguards on duty.

Tuesday 19 November 2013

Camps bay mansion selling for R300m


The Enigma mansion is selling for R300 million. Picture: Cape Town Alive


A Camps Bay home is for sale for a record price of R300 million.

The mansion, which is titled Enigma, is situated in the Glen between Clifton and Camps Bay.

It sits on 7,000 square metres.

The house, which overlooks the Atlantic Ocean, Lion’s Head and the Twelve Apostles, has four bedrooms, five bathrooms, four reception rooms, two domestic quarters and a study.

All electronic functions in the house can be controlled by tablets.

It features an atelier, winter garden, sauna, gym, tea-house, massage temple, herb and vegetable garden as well as many terraces, with an artistically-designed Olympic-sized swimming pool with marble inlays.

Renting the property will cost R155,000 a day.

The most expensive property ever sold in South Africa by an estate agency was sold to a South African.

Lindiwe Mlandu

http://ewn.co.za/2013/10/28/Camps-Bay-mansion-selling-for-R300m

Wednesday 23 October 2013

Appeal to Camps Bay residents

Dear Camps Bay resident / owner

Many of you may not know about the CBRRA or what it does.  The CBRRA has been around for many years.  The Executive Committee offers their time and expertise free of charge for the mutual benefit of ALL owners and residents of Camps Bay.  It is through the tireless work of Exco Members over many years that Camps Bay is what it is today – arguably the most desirable place to live in South Africa.  You should consider the CBRRA as your community friend looking after your interests in the Camps Bay community.

Some of the main objectives of the CBRRA are:

  1. To bring back a sense of community to residents.
  2. To work in the best interests of all residents and owners.
  3. To assist and guide owners with planning matters.
  4. To work with Council and Councillors in order to preserve / enhance the beauty of Camps Bay (eg maintenance of open spaces) for all residents and owners and restrict control of Liquor Outlets.
  5. To ensure only suitable events within the community are held. 
  6. To work hand-in-hand with Camps Bay Watch (CBW) and other community bodies. 

We would like to invite you all to join CBRRA and assist Exco in making the Camps Bay community even better.  It is only with the support of the community that we are able to achieve our objectives and protect your interests.

If you would like to join, please can you e-mail us and we would be pleased to welcome you.  All we ask for is a nominal contribution of R300 per annum.  Alternatively, you can make a combined contribution of R500 for 2014 and 2015.  This can be paid either in cash at Herbert Properties office or alternatively by means of an EFT.  The bank details are as follows:

First National Bank
Branch code: 201709
Account No: 62062797934

For those of you who are already Members, we would like to thank you.  If you could forward this post to anyone you may know that would like to join, we would be most grateful.

The Future of Camps Bay & Clifton in Your Hands



  • Have you ever needed advice with Building Plans?
  • Have you ever needed help with controversial issues with neighbours?
  • Have you ever wondered how the Beaches, Parks and Green Open Spaces are improved?
  • Do you know who to contact at the Municipality with issues you are experiencing in its jurisdiction?

Camps Bay Ratepayers and Residents Association
incorporating Clifton
Visit www.cbrra.co.za 
or call Gus Millner (021) 438 8983 or 072175 5458
to find out how you can help.


Wednesday 16 October 2013

RIP Current Claims Another Life

CAPE TOWN – The City of Cape Town has urged the public to get involved in lifesaving.

Municipal officials met with their counterparts at Western Province Lifesaving on Tuesday to renew a contract which will see more lifeguards on duty on the provinces beaches.

The city's Belinda Walker explained some details of the contract.

“To develop the sport of lifesaving, to establish clubs in areas where they don’t currently exist, arrange for lifesavers to be provided by the lifesaving body to do work on the city’s beaches.”

ANOTHER DROWNING

A seven-year-old boy drowned off the West coast at Melkbosstrand.

The boy, who is from Atlantis, was swimming with friends when he was swept out to sea by a strong rip current on Monday afternoon.

Emergency officials found his body after an extensive search.

This incident follows the drowning of two teenage boys from the North West who were swimming in Camps Bay last week.

The boys, who were trying to save a fellow classmate in distress, were also caught in a rip current.

While the classmate and one of the boys trying to save him drowned, the other was saved by a Johannesburg man.

There were no lifeguards on duty at the time.

On Monday, Cape Town city bosses signed an agreement which will ensure paid lifeguards are present on beaches from this week.

Walker said, “It would enable Western Province Lifesaving to provide the lifesavers, which they have been providing for the last three years on 29 beaches throughout the city. This during school holidays, public holidays and on days we expect the beach to be busy.”

(Edited by Tamsin Wort)

http://ewn.co.za/2013/10/01/Boy-drowns-at-CT-beach

Wednesday 9 October 2013

Clifton teacher fought off an attempted rape

Federica Bacecci, 33, a translator and teacher from Italy, was getting out of her car outside her home when she was approached by a man asking for money.“I told him I did not have any coins. Then he looked around to check if there was anyone there and grabbed me from behind,” said Bacecci.

He pushed her down on to the tarmac of her driveway and dropped on top of her.

“I realised he didn’t want the money, otherwise he could have taken my wallet. I even had my computer with me.” He began touching and kissing her. Bacecci screamed, hoping a security guard would come, “but there was no one”.

Despite the weight of the man on top of her, Bacecci crawled into the middle of the road, still struggling. “That’s when a car suddenly stopped next to us and a woman jumped out.” The attacker fled.

“The man (in the car) kept telling her not to get involved,” said Bacecci. “And then they left me there - I don’t think they could understand me because I was crying and I have an accent.”

Police spokesman Captain FC van Wyk said a charge of sexual assault had been laid at Camps Bay police station. No arrest had been made. Clifton has been plagued in the past by crime, much of it linked to the vagrants living in the caves. According to the annual figures released last month, crime in Camps Bay has dropped significantly across the board, but there has been an increase in the number of sexual crimes reported.

kieran.legg@inl.co.za

Cape Argus
http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-courts/woman-foils-would-be-rapist-in-cape-1.1589306#.UwSAZZFWwpE

Der Bachelor Season 4 Camps Bay

From: Chris Willemse
Subject: Re: Der Bachelor Season 4 Camps Bay
Date: 09 October 2013 at 5:06:08 PM SAST
To: Giles Harris

Hi Giles

The CBRRA has carefully discussed the filming of the Bachelor in Fulham Rd and, after discussions with certain affected neighbours, has resolved that it cannot support this shoot.

The primary objection is to the legality of the operation.

There exist title deed restrictions and Zoning Scheme regulations that will be transgressed by this operation. Whereas the City are empowered to consider temporary relaxations of the ZS, the same is not applicable to title deed restrictions which are praedial servitudinal rights enjoyed by the owners of property in the area on a reciprocal basis. These rights may only be relaxed by the Provincial Minister of Planning after extensive public participation, which clearly has not occurred, or by the neighbours themselves, which has also not been forthcoming.

In the circumstances, the CBRRA cannot support any undertaking that is not in conformity with the law - and is of the opinion that the City would be erring on the side of expediency if it grants the filming permit.

Given that it is, ultimately, the City that grants permission for this film shoot, please keep the CBRRA in the loop as to the progress of your application.

Cheers

Chris

cnwillemse@gmail.com
0836536363


On 09 Oct 2013, at 4:34 PM, Giles Harris wrote:

Good afternoon Marga and Chris

I hope everyone has been considering my request in a very positive light. I haven't heard anything negative yet and I'm hopeful that no news is good news.

I have been able to arrange a demo of our Octocopter for in the driveway of 21 Fulham Rd at 20h00 on Tuesday 15 October and I've invited all the neighbours to attend in a letter that I distributed last night.

I have also knocked on all the neighbours doors and spoken with whomever will speak to me regarding our shoot in an attempt to sell our shoot.

Please let me know if there is anything else that you feel I could do to help this on and remove obstacles.

Thank you,

Giles Harris
Unit?Locations for Triosphere
doonit@gmail.com
083 299 8876


On 8 October 2013 10:27, Giles Harris wrote:

Good morning Marga and Chris,

Thanks once again for having me at your meeting last night. I really appreciate it.

I have spoken to Camps Bay Primary School this morning regarding the parking situation and they have agreed that we may park between the tennis court and the actual soccer(?) field. Pat Readman from the school assures me that that is what has been done in the past and it has worked out fine. Also, the tent (9x18m) has always been placed between the tennis court and the building there and has been out of the way of anyone wanting to use the field.

We will be parking our standby generator truck in that car park on these Night Of The Roses, though. This will be the only bay that we need and I will be sure to put in a film permit application for this with the CTFPO as well as speak to the Hussar as a courtesy.

I have spoken to our executive producer regarding the Octocopter Camera Drone and asked that we never use it after 10pm. He agrees with me that that would be a better idea.

I have ,unfortunately, not yet set up an alternative time for the test of the drone. It is coming from Germany and will only arrive on Monday 14 October. If it is alright with you, I'll come back to you at a later stage with something concrete about when we can test this thing for noise.

So the only possible big issue that I still face is the generator truck that we would like to park in the cul-de-sac on Ottawa Rd.

I will be knocking on the residents doors this evening and leaving everyone in both Ottawa and Fulham roads with a letter with all the dates and possibly all the difficulties laid out. I guess that if there are any concerns, we should start to hear about them from tomorrow onwards.

Dates for filming in Camps Bay and 21 Fulham Rd are as follows:

15/10 Interview with the Bachelor interior at 21 Fulham. Small crew.
16/10 Helicopter arrival CB High School. Tracking shots and Octocopter motorbike ride from school to 21 Fulham
17/10 Rehearsals of Night Of The Roses (NOR).
18/10 Film NOR
23/10 Film NOR
24/10 Possible beauty shots of Camps Bay using Octocopter (new addition, not confirmed)
28/10 Film NOR
02/11 Film NOR
06/11 Film NOR
25/11 Film final NOR

We do expect the first Night Of The Roses to finish later than the subsequent ones, as we iron through some of the teething problems. Normally, though, I believe that we can be looking at 3am as a realistic time for all crew and activity to be finished.

Please let me assure you once again that I will take every care to keep crew silent and low key at all times.

Please don't hesitate to get hold of me should you need any additional information or if there is any problem that I should be dealing with.

Thanks you,

Giles Harris
Unit/Locations for Triosphere
083 299 8876



Sijadu Mzozoyana saved a teenager from drowning at Camps Bay Beach and received an award from Western Province Lifesaving for his bravery on 28 September 2013. Picture: Chanel September/EWN

CAPE TOWN – A Johannesburg man who saved a North West teenager from drowning at Camps Bay beach has received a special certificate for his brave rescue.

Two other pupils were swept out to sea in a strong rip current while trying to save a fellow classmate this week.

The search for the two continues.

The boys were part of a group who went to the beach for a swim as part of a school tour.

With cameras flashing Sijadu Mzozoyana accepted his certificate from Western Province Lifesaving President Jurie Wessels.

Wessels said even though the 28-year-old wanted to remain anonymous he had to be honoured for his bravery.

But while his actions were described as courageous Mzozoyana said he is not a hero, but simply helped someone in need.

“I stand here with mixed emotions because I am not the hero here.”

He said he accepted the award on the behalf of the two teenagers who are presumed to have drowned.

Mzozoyana said they were the real heroes.

(Edited by Tamsin Wort)

http://ewn.co.za/2013/09/28/Beach-rescuer-becomes-a-hero

Tuesday 8 October 2013

CCT to sign Lifeguard Agreement



Learners of a North West school at the Camps Bay beach where two classmates drowned. Picture: Chanel September/EWN

CAPE TOWN – Cape Town city bosses are expected to sign an agreement today which will ensure paid lifeguards are present on beaches from this week.

The agreement comes in the wake of the drowning of two North West school pupils at Camps Bay Beach last week.

The boys were swept out to sea by a strong rip-current while trying to save a fellow classmate.

One of the boys was saved by a member of the public.

There were no lifeguards on duty at the time.

The City of Cape Town’s Belinda Walker said, “It would enable Western Province Lifesaving to provide the lifesavers, which they have been providing for the last three years on 29 beaches throughout the city. This during school holidays, public holidays and on days we expect the beach to be busy.”

(Edited by Tamsin Wort)

http://ewn.co.za/2013/09/30/CT-to-sign-beach-lifeguard-agreement

Monday 7 October 2013

Friends of Camps Bay Committee volunteers?


Hi everyone
We have achieved our first goal, which is to have Camps Bay beaches officially open to dogs at certain times:
From 1 November to 31 March: Up to 9 am (no afternoons)
From 1 April to 31 October: All day.
Please remember to be vigilant about dog poos. I have already noticed some new arrivals, and regrettably have had to deal with three rogue poos this last week. Please, when you see someone not picking up their dog poo, approach them politely and offer them a bag so we can continue to educate people who don’t take responsibility for their dogs.
 
Because we now have official standing in the Council, Byron suggested we strengthen our position by forming a steering committee.So far it has been suggested that I (Mikki van Zyl), Byron Herbert as the CBRRA representative for beaches, Dorly Viollier (the original campaigner for this lobby) and Sonja Rees form part of that committee. Please volunteer or send your nominations for any others (with seconds) to me, so we can set up a meeting.
Thanks
Mikki
 
The earth has enough for people's needs, but not people's greed. (Mahatma Ghandi)
Mikki van Zyl
Simply Said and Done
54 Kloofnek Rd
Tamboerskloof
Cape Town 8001
Tel: +27-(0)21 4243789
 
 
Contact for Byron
Byron Herbert
Herbert Properties
Office:       +27 (0)21 438 3888
Mobile:      +27 (0)83 625 0430
Email:        byron@herbert.co.za

Monday 30 September 2013

Drownings could have been avoided

CAPE TOWN – Western Province Lifesaving believes the drowning of two North-West pupils at the Camps bay Beach could have been avoided if a contract agreement had been signed with the City of Cape Town.

The agreement ensures paid lifeguards are stationed at Cape Town beaches.

Two boys were swept out to sea in a strong rip current while trying to save a fellow classmate last week.

There were was no lifeguards present at the time of the incident.

One boy survived after being rescued by a Johannesburg man.

Sijadu Mzozoyana accepted a certificate on Saturday for his brave rescue.

The search for the other two continues.

Western Province Lifesaving President Jurie Wessels says, “We’ve had an agreement with the city over the last five years whereby members of volunteer lifeguard clubs do paid lifesaving over certain periods of time in the year. The city’s amenities department has been stalling since April to get a contract into place.”

(Edited by Tamsin Wort)
http://ewn.co.za/2013/09/29/Camps-Bay-drowning-could-have-been-avoided

Beachgoers undeterred by drownings


Over the past week, there have been two separate drowning incidents along the Cape’s coastline.


CAPE TOWN – Western Cape beachgoers have again been urged to exercise caution while swimming in the ocean this summer.

Over the past week, there have been two separate drowning incidents along the Cape’s coastline.

In the first incident, two students from a North West school drowned at Camps Bay beach last week.

In the second incident, a boy drowned at a beach in Melkbosstrand on the West Coast.

Camps Bay was packed on Tuesday with Capetonians lying in the sun, oblivious to a desperate search by police divers for the two teenagers who drowned.

One beachgoer says the drowning incidents are not a deterrent for him.

“Everyone wants to come to the beach. This is not going to stop me from coming to the beach.”

Another beachgoer agreed.

She said, “I don’t think it should scare people away from the beach, but it should make them more aware of the dangers.”

Meanwhile, lifeguards will be back on duty on 29 of the Cape’s beaches as of this weekend following an agreement with the City of Cape Town.

(Edited by Tamsin Wort)
http://ewn.co.za/2013/10/02/Beachgoers-undeterred-by-drownings

Saturday 28 September 2013

Tragic end to teens’ school tour


The search for the two missing boys at Camps Bay main beach 
continued on Thursday morning. Photo : Henk Kruger

Three teams of divers have resumed a search for two missing boys who are feared to have drowned at Camps Bay beach on Wednesday afternoon.

“Depending on conditions, in my previous experience, it can take up to three or four days for the bodies to resurface,” said James Thomsom, vice-president of the Clifton Surf Lifesaving Club.

Divers from Metro Emergency Medical Services, Fire and Rescue Services and the police entered the ocean shortly after dawn. They were supported by police jet skiers and the K-9 unit.

Two teenagers went missing and are presumed dead after they were swept out to sea late on Wednesday afternoon.

The boys, both aged 16, went into the water to rescue a friend, 15, who was struggling against the rip current at around 5pm.

The 15-year-old was rescued by a bystander and taken to hospital in a stable condition. He did not sustain serious injuries and was discharged from hospital this morning, said an EMS spokesman.

The teenagers were on a school tour from North West Province. They attend RB Dithupe Intermediate School in Zeerust, and were due to return home by bus on Thursday.

NSRI spokesman Craig Lambinon said the pupils and teachers from the school would be brought to the beach for “closure” before embarking on their trip home. They were scheduled to arrive at the beach at noon.

The Cape Argus attempted to get comment from the school, but was told by Lambinon that the governing body had asked staff not to talk to the media.

“We have offered a direct line of communication to the parents of the two children, but thus far they have not contacted us. The school’s staff are currently in contact with them. When the time is right, arrangements will be made for the parents to travel to Cape Town to collect the remains and to have a memorial service at the beach, if they so wish,” said Lambinon.

The two missing boys were caught in the current that washes from the middle of Camps Bay beach out towards Glen Beach.

The NSRI were the first to respond, launching a search-and-rescue vessel and divers into the water.

Two hours after the boys’ disappearance, Lambinon said there was little chance they were still alive.

Thomsom was on his way to the beach for a game of touch rugby when the first sign of distress was noticed. Five minutes later, the boys had already disappeared beneath the waves.

“Where these guys got in trouble there is a strong rip current,” he said. “It wouldn’t pull them too far out, but it would make it very hard for them to swim to shore.”

He said the water was around 13 degrees at the time. “The waves, the cold and the rip current are a cocktail for trouble.”

Thomsom added that the incident could have been avoided if lifesavers had been on duty. But it is still the off-season, and lifesavers are not stationed until summer sets in and the beaches get busier.

“If a large group of children are on their way to the beach for an outing, I would suggest that lifesavers are alerted so that special arrangements can be made,” he said.

The classmates and teachers of the missing boys received trauma counselling soon after the incident yesterday.

Cape Argus

Thursday 26 September 2013

Two teens drown at Camps Bay



The search for two pupils swept out to sea by a rip current has been called off.

Two teenage pupils are missing and presumed dead after being swept out to sea at Camps Bay beach late on Wednesday afternoon.

The boys, both aged 16, went into the water to rescue a friend, 15, who was struggling against the rip current at around 5pm. The 15-year-old was rescued by a bystander and taken to hospital in a stable condition.

The teenagers were on a school tour to Cape Town from the North West province. They attend RB Dithupe Primary in Zeerust, and were due to return home by bus on Thursday.

The two missing boys were caught in the current that washes from the middle of Camps Bay beach out towards Glen Beach.

They disappeared beneath the surf within five minutes.

The NSRI were the first to respond, launching a search-and-rescue vessel and divers into the water. Two hours after the boys’ disappearance, spokesman Craig Lambinon said there was little chance they were still alive.

James Thomsom, vice-president of the Clifton Surf Lifesaving Club, was already on his way to the beach for a game of touch rugby when the first sign of distress was noticed. Five minutes later, the boys had already disappeared beneath the waves.

“Where these guys got in trouble there is a strong rip current,” he said. “It wouldn’t pull them too far out, but it would make it very hard for them to swim to shore.”

He said the water was around 13 degrees at the time. “The waves, the cold and the rip current are a cocktail for trouble.”

Metro Rescue had four divers in the water, working alongside the NSRI against the fading light.

By 7pm it was too dark and they called off the search. Spokesman Alistair Christians said the divers would continue at first light.

A Skymed helicopter was also dispatched to the scene but retired when daylight faded.

At 7.30pm, Lambinon said the case was no longer a rescue mission, and had been handed over to police divers to recover the bodies.

NSRI would continue to assist with beach patrols as low tide approached.

The classmates and teachers of the missing boys received trauma counselling immediately. The school’s principal was still trying to contact the parents of the missing children at the time of going to press.

By Chelsea Geach

Cadet News Agency
Cape Argus

Saturday 14 September 2013

Concerned Parents Group: Answer to CBRRA letter in Atlantic Sun 29 Aug 2013

Re: Letter by Chris Willemse (Chairman of Camps Bay Residents and Ratepayers Assoc) Atlantic Sun 29 August refers.

We, the Concerned Parents Group, are encouraged by the continued commitment expressed by CBRRA to promote the best interest of the community. We all agree that the land currently occupied by the Camps Bay Bowling Club should be used in such a way as to derive maximum benefit for the maximum number of community members.

We are therefore perplexed by Mr Willemse’s assertion that maximum benefit will be derived from a shared arrangement in which the school is allocated “an area” of “the current large parking lot”, while the Bowling Club retains the rest of the facility. While we are definitely in favour of some form of shared facility use with other interest groups, we believe that primary schooling should constitute the main activity on the site. Our reasons are:

1.     According to spatial allocations published by the City and the Western Cape Education Department, Camps Bay is currently over-provided for in terms of active recreation facilities (121% and this does not take into account access to beaches and mountains) and severely under-provided for in terms of primary schooling facilities (31%). Even if the entire piece of land were given over to primary schooling, there would still be a significant imbalance, with active recreation reduced to 112% of the optimal, and primary schooling increased to 40% . (These calculations can be viewed on the CPG’s Facebook page.)

2.     The Prep and Primary Schools in Camps Bay which, though split across two campuses for historical reasons, together constitute the community’s primary schooling facility, run a two-stream system, with two classes per grade for grades R to 7. As evidenced by a significant number of our community’s children being turned away in the past five years, a shift to a three-stream system is well overdue. This implies a 50% growth in pupil numbers and “an area” of the parking lot will be hopelessly inadequate to accommodate this growth. The current Prep School campus does not have any sporting facilities at all; it has minimal play facilities (not a blade of grass); and it has a tiny hall, which can barely accommodate the current numbers.

3.     The Bowling Club, by contrast, is hopelessly underutilizing the land. According to their AGM report for 2012, they were not able to fill two teams (four players per team) to compete in the league, and had to borrow members from the Gardens Club. Meanwhile, the Glen Country Club one kilometer away is concerned about the future of its Bowls section, according to a letter from its president. (See CPG’s Facebook page for both documents.) Clearly, the community’s need for education facilities far outstrips its need for bowling facilities.

4.     The Prep and Primary Schools have a strong community spirit. They already share their facilities with a large number of other interest groups in the community, for judo, spanish dancing, prayer groups and youth groups, to name a few. So the host of community-oriented activities which currently use the bowling club’s hall would probably continue to do so - with the exception of any requiring a liquor license. The rest of the clubhouse would be renovated to suit the school’s needs, and the two bowling greens, currently restricted to single-use due to their fragile nature, would become mixed-use sporting facilities which the school would share with the community. A model for this is the Symmonds Field, which is leased and tended by the Primary School, but used at least as much by the rest of the community.

The fact is that, while the land can be used to great benefit by a number of interest groups alongside the school, co-habitation with the CBBC is both unnecessary and impossible. It is unnecessary because no one is being denied access to bowling facilities. It is impossible because the premises cannot accommodate the needs of both school and club simultaneously.

Mr Willemse also made reference to 2014 as a date for the expansion of the Prep School. It is important that the community is aware that 2014 is no longer a possibility. The parents in the community, especially those who have not yet secured a place for their children, hope fervently that the rest of the community will support us in making expansion a reality for 2015. Until then, our children will continue to suffer the consequences of spatial allocations that currently do not derive maximum benefit for the community.

Fiona Hart
Deputy chairperson, Concerned Parents Group