Blue flag status for Atlantic seaboard beaches

 By Sinazo Mkoko

Atlantic Sun

Camps Bay beach

Camps Bay and Clifton Fourth are among the 10 City of Cape Town beaches which have been awarded Blue Flag status by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA).

According to the City, this follows a national audit of beaches submitted for assessment by each municipality.

WESSA used 33 criteria to determine if each beach meets the level of service excellence required for Blue Flag recognition.

Each beach is measured in four categories: environmental education and awareness, water quality, environmental management, and safety services.

The individual criteria allow for an in-depth analysis of a variety of areas of competence, which include universal access for the disabled, elderly and mothers with young children, control of domestic animals such as dogs on beaches, and availability of interpretive signage and effective waste management.

Mayor Dan Plato said the City is pleased to once again receive this recognition. “Being able to retain the status of all 10 Blue Flag beaches can be attributed to the work of our environmental staff, who have ensured the quality and cleanliness of these beaches have been consistently maintained. These spaces are especially important as we head into the summer months, enabling residents to enjoy nature and the ocean while being able to safely social distance in line with Covid-19 regulations.”

Mayoral committee member for community services and health, Zahid Badroodien, said beaches are popular places to spend time with family and friends in the outdoors and to enjoy the summer weather. After months of restricted movement, it is expected that more people will flock to the City’s beaches this summer.

“The Western Cape Premier has also announced the resurgence of Covid-19 in the Cape Town metropole which will impact on the summer season. I urge all residents to adhere to the safety regulations when they are at our beaches and pools. We are also extremely proud that 10 of the City’s beaches once again ticked all the boxes and will be flying the flag of excellence,” he said.

Blue Flag is an educational programme, designed to encourage participating municipalities to meet high environmental and international standards sustainably.

The City said an old asbestos roof was replaced at Camps Bay as part of getting the beaches ready for the holiday season.

The other beaches which received Blue Flag status are Llandudno, Bikini Beach, Fish Hoek, Melkbosstrand, Mnandi, Muizenberg, Strandfontein and Silwerstroom.

The Blue Flag season will run until January 31 for Bikini Beach, Clifton Fourth, Llandudno, Fish Hoek, Melkbosstrand, Mnandi and Silwerstroom.

Camps Bay, Muizenberg and Strandfontein will have an extended season until March 31. The Blue Flag applicable times at all of these beaches is from 10am to 6pm daily.

At a Camps Bay Clifton and Ratepayers’ Association (CBCRA) meeting on Monday last week, chairman, Chris Willemse, said they continue to oppose the City regarding the millions of litres of raw sewerage that it pumps into the bay at Camps Bay on a daily basis. As reported previously, he said, the City continues to deny any damage to the environment and is satisfied that the system of dumping pollutants into the sea is sustainable despite the contrary opinion and established facts by all academics in this field.

Camps Bay community cares for the homeless

By 

Sinazo Mkoko

Atlantic Sun

The Community who Cares

A community-based organisation is helping to change the lives of those who live on the streets of Camps Bay.

The Community who Cares (CWC) was started in 2018, by Alan Marsh, the chairman of the Camps Bay Community Police Forum (CPF), and is a collaboration between the Camps Bay and Clifton Ratepayers’ Association (CBCRA), the Business Forum, SAPS, Camps Bay CSI (CBCSI), Ward 54 councillor Nicola Jowell, and NGOs such as Homestead and StreetSmart.

At the recent annual general meeting of the CBCRA, resident Theresa Massaglia said donations totalling R400 000 had been received, covering the costs of masks, sanitiser, and to support feeding schemes during the lockdown.

“Transformation of homeless persons is the key, rather than community handouts of money or food,” she said.

She said over the years, they had realised that one could never just give up on someone, even when at times they may give up on themself.

“We can simply never give up the plight of helping others get off the dreadful streets. It is dangerous in the way it pulls one in and tries to keep you there. Feeding these habits are even worse and prolong the urgency for change,” she said.

MEMBERSHIP FEES

1 YEAR: Annual subscription for membership R600

OR 2 YEARS: Subscription for two years membership R1000

PENSIONERS

1 YEAR: Annual subscription for membership R500

OR 2 YEARS: Subscription for two years membership R900

Members are invited to pay for two or three years in advance, if they so wish.

First National Bank

Branch code: 201709

Account No: 62062797934

Enquiries to: campsbayratepayers@gmail.com

CBCRA AFS 2019

 

Land use applications and planning, cell masts discussed at AGM

Land use applications and planning, cell masts and social issues on the beachfront were among the matters discussed at this year’s annual general meeting of the Camps Bay Clifton Ratepayers’ Association (CBCRA)

The meeting was held at Rotunda Hotel on Monday November 23.

Residents wanted to know why the City’s Municipal Planning Tribunal continued to approve development plans without taking the opinions of the residents into consideration. “The City is turning a blind eye to residents’ objections. What’s happening with all these developers has to stop,” said one resident.

Ward 54 councillor, Nicola Jowell said she understood the sentiments and aimed to properly represent residents’ concerns.

Touching on some of the development plans, CBCRA chairman Chris Willemse said an application for a 101-room hotel at the Place on the Bay site, to which there had been 76 individual objections, had been approved by the Municipal Planning Tribunal.

He said their call to the community to help oppose this application had been well supported and they had collected more than R80 000 in donations.

“Currently, we have an extremely well-prepared appeal against this decision before the mayor and, judging by the time that the City is taking to respond and place it on the Appeal Panel’s agenda, there must be something about which it is very concerned,” he said.

He added that they were researching the history of all applications to detail what he described as “the arbitrary nature of the MPT’s actions”.

“If the City shows no interest in this undermining of our property rights, we will consider a legal challenge,” he said.

On the matter of cell masts, Mr Willemse highlighted the Marine Heights block in Upper Tree Road, noting that the ratepayers association had been making representations to the planning authorities for years now, without success. He said they’d advised affected neighbours to take the matter to court and a case has now been brought before the Western Cape High Court by an affected neighbour to have the illegal equipment removed. “The application should be heard in February 2021,” he said.

On the matter of property valuations, the meeting unanimously agreed that CBCRA partner with the Greater Cape Town Civic Alliance (GCTCA) to unpack what they said appeared to be a very skewed system, that was not in favour of owners of property along the Atlantic Seaboard.

By Sinazo Mkoko

Atlantic Sun

Covid resurgence in Cape Metro - Premier Alan Winde

 Message from Premier Alan Winde: Covid resurgence in Cape Metro

‘There is an established Covid-19 resurgence in the Western Cape; urgent public response required to protect health system 

The Western Cape Government is deeply concerned about the growing number of Covid-19 infections and hospitalisations in the province, which can now be considered as an established resurgence.  

A resurgence is when the number of active cases increase, week-on-week, by more than 20%. Over the last week alone, the province has witnessed a 52.1% jump in new cases, with an established pattern over time. 

There is also now established community transmission of the virus again in this province, which means that it is spreading within communities at a faster rate.  

This growth is primarily driven by two districts in the Western Cape: the Garden Route and the Cape Metro.  

Last week, we issued a hotspot alert for the Garden Route, following an alarming growth of cases in the area. This surge has continued to gain momentum and there are now more active cases in George and Knysna sub-districts than at any point in the pandemic to date.  

The City of Cape Town is following a similar trajectory to this region and looks to be about 10-14 days behind. We are therefore also issuing a hotspot alert for the Metro. 

It is important to highlight that the growth in cases in the City is being recorded in every sub-district and is not being driven by any one area. This is verified by waste-water treatment testing. 

While the growth in cases province-wide has mainly been driven by these two districts, we are also worried about the Cape Winelands, which is starting to record a concerning number of new cases. 

The Overberg District, Central Karoo District and West Coast District are being closely monitored given their proximity to these hotspots.  

This established Covid-19 resurgence in the Western Cape is also reflected in the proportion of positive tests, which has now grown to 16%. This is comparable to the test positivity rate experienced in the Western Cape in early May 2020. 

My biggest concern is for our health platform, which is under growing pressure. We need to ensure that every person gets healthcare when they need it. 

Hospitalisations reached a low of under 500 in September, and they have now reached 904 as of yesterday. There are currently 431 people in public hospitals and 473 in private hospitals in the Western Cape. 

In the last 24-hour reporting period alone, the number of people being hospitalised for Covid-19 increased by a staggering 54 people.  

Our Brackengate Hospital of Hope, went from having just a few patients in September, to 109 as of today.  

In fact, since the start of November, COVID-19 hospitalisations across the province have increased by 63%. The private sector has increased by 94%, while the public sector has increased by 39%.  

Critical care admissions have increased by 75% since the start of November. This is particularly concerning as an admission to a critical care unit is an indication of severe illness that might lead to death. 

🚨We need every person in the Western Cape to help prevent a Lockdown and to ensure that there are enough empty beds in our hospitals for those who need them” 

We must be under no illusion as to how serious the situation is, and how quickly it can deteriorate further. 

The Western Cape Government has intentionally reintroduced key healthcare services to our facilities because we need to provide comprehensive care to everyone who needs it, not just those with Covid-19. 

This means our hospitals are already fuller than they were earlier this year, during the first wave of hospitalisations.  

We want to avoid at all costs having to once again de-escalate these essential services because this will have a detrimental impact on the health of our people. We have to save all lives, including those who don’t have Covid-19. 

We also cannot afford a Lockdown again, as is being witnessed in many European countries right now. Our economy simply cannot afford it. A lockdown would kill jobs and cause our humanitarian disaster to worsen. This will also cost lives in the future.  

There is therefore only one option available to us all. We have to bring the situation under control through our own actions. We have to do everything possible to ensure that we do not get infected by Covid-19 and that we do not spread Covid-19.  

The virus is not gone but will be with us over the holidays and beyond. Therefore, we need to remain safe and protect each other by: 

• Wearing a mask properly is of life-saving importance. You must wear your masks at all times when outside of your home. There can be no exceptions. 

• You must avoid crowded and confined spaces at all costs. This is where super-spreader events take place. 

• You must urgently reconsider hosting all non-essential gatherings of people this year, especially indoor gatherings with poor ventilation.   

• You must ensure there is good ventilation at all times whenever you’re in public. The virus droplets spread by air in confined spaces, and so fresher is better.  

• You must wash your hands regularly with soap and water or use sanitiser. 

• If you feel sick, you should not leave your home unless it is to get healthcare treatment. You must first call our hotline on 080 928 4102 for guidance on the next steps.  

• You should also not visit someone who is sick, and find other ways to provide support, like delivering a meal to a neighbour’s doorstep. 

Every single resident should assume that Covid-19 is everywhere they go and take all the necessary precautions at every point along their journey. 

For business owners and managers, you cannot in any way cut corners on Covid-19 safety protocols and you must abide by all the regulations. You are our best hope for policing all points of gathering, because you can ensure the behaviour needed by people when they are at your establishment. Help us keep the economy open by ensuring that your staff and customers are safe at all times. 

We all have a critical role to play over the next few weeks so that we keep our economy open and to ensure that there is a hospital bed for ourselves or our loved ones, should we need it. Let’s show the e world again that we are capable of flattening the curve in the Western Cape. 

🚨Resurgence response plan will result in increased high visibility enforcement 

The Western Cape, through our Disaster Joint Operations Centre, will be drastically increasing high visibility enforcement of Covid-19 regulations to help slow down the spread of the virus.  

The JOC, which has linkages to local joint operations centres across the province, is best placed to coordinate law enforcement. It has a direct link to the SAPS, as well as law enforcement and environmental officers in the Western Cape.  

We urge members of the public, businesses and other organisations to report violations of Covid-19 protocols immediately so that our teams can take action immediately. 

-You can report violations using the online complaint form available here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/covid-19-business-safety-complaint-form

-Dial *134*234# to report non-compliance of public transport

-For Covid-19 health related queries, the provincial Covid-19 toll-free hotline number is 080 928 4102

-For general queries, the Western Cape Government's contact centre can be reached on 0860 142 142’

AGM Report on Beachfront Social Issues by Theresa Massaglia

At the CBCRA AGM on Monday, 23-11-2020, Manco member Theresa Massaglia shared the origin of CwC (Community who Cares), which she started in 2018 with Alan Marsh, the Chairman of the Camps Bay Community Police Forum (CPF), a collaboration between the Camps Bay and Clifton Ratepayers Association (CBCRA), the Business Forum, SAPS, Camps Bay CSI (CBCSI), the Ward 54 Councillor Nicola Jowell, and NGOs such as Homestead and StreetSmart. It has become a model for other ratepayers’ associations to implement too.

Transformation of homeless persons is the key, rather than community handouts of money or food. Donations have been received from the community in the form of shoes, clothing, blankets etc. R400000 has been received in donations, covering costs of masks, sanitiser, and to support feeding schemes. A Women’s Month programme was initiated for homeless women in Safe Space. A team building workshop was run for female SAPS and Law Enforcement staff. A Victim Support unit has been set up at SAPS. Stipends have been received from the City of Cape Town to fund the new Camps Bay CSI Community Stewards, for which the Business Forum will fund the Transport, and the Codfather will pay for the provision of uniforms and the laundering thereof.

https://bit.ly/3fzZ2qs

AGM Report by Ward 54 Councillor Nicola Jowell

At the Camps Bay and Clifton Ratepayers Association AGM held at the Rotunda last night, (Monday, 23 November 2020), Councillor Jowell thanked the community of Camps Bay and Clifton, demonstrating that as a collective it can make changes which have a resounding effect. She thanked our residents for protecting themselves and their families by wearing masks, practicing social distancing, by washing their hands, and for being Covid-19 cautious. 

She said that service delivery by the City of Cape Town has been hard hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, a compliance-orientated framework and unionised staff, and she thanked residents who have waited patiently. Despite these obstacles, she is seeing departments trying to get on top of backlogs. She highlighted shortcomings, i.e. Kloof Road, affected by the fire earlier this year and the heavy winter rain; the Parks Department still dealing with trees which came down in the winter storms, which has affected lawn mowing and park maintenance; the sub-station on Kloof Road is on the list for fire drainage and gutter problem repair; fence railings at Bali Bay, Clifton, and the Glen Country Club will be repaired in the next few weeks; and infrastructure work is being done by the Water Department, previously on Hely Hutchinson and currently on Geneva Drive, affecting traffic coming down the street, and expected to continue until February. Councillor Jowell encouraged residents to use the City’s C3 Fault reporting system to report any issues, and to alert her with a reference number should the faults not be dealt with timeously. 

The Solid Waste Department has developed a Summer Plan, which includes additional street cleaners, working in three daily shifts, including a late night one. She expressed disappointment at the state of the beaches on busy days. She thanked Chris von Ulmenstein for picking up litter herself, with a paid helper, and with organised monthly community clean-ups. 

She saluted the Camps Bay CSI Community Stewards initiative, set to enhance the visitor experience on Victoria Road. 

Councillor Jowell was thanked for the hard work which she and her office does for Camps Bay.

https://bit.ly/38KjvFG

AGM 2020 Chair's report

Good evening and welcome to the 2020 AGM of the CBCRA in a year which has proved to be quite wild and damaging. 

As always, thanks to Maree Brink, Johannes Lategan and The Bay Hotel for the generous use of the facilities and especially to Bianca Verster and her team for putting the show together tonight. A special thanks to Alma Horn for arranging and managing the audio-visual side of the evening.

Tonight there will not be a table for the payment of subs due to the potential threat of the virus. It would be appreciated if you do your payments online. 

Tonight, we will dispense with all but the most important business of an AGM, so I apologise for the prospect of a rather stark meeting but a quicker meeting and opportunity to get home in time for supper is a good alternative.

We welcome our local ward councillor, Nicola Jowell. She will give a report-back tonight after which you, the ratepayers of Camps Bay, will have an opportunity to address her on issues that are of concern to you.

Firstly, may I please have any apologies for tonight’s meeting.

Apologies which have already been received will be posted with the minutes of this meeting

Also, we need to confirm the minutes of the previous AGM, held on the 9th September 2019. Proposer and seconder?

Councillor’s report: Nicola Jowell 

Chair’s report:

As mentioned, I will only give the bullet points and encourage you to follow developments on the website. Also, Manco members will gladly discuss any matter more fully after the meeting.

• Parking on the beachfront: This initiative, which was supported at our last meeting is still being held up by City bureaucracy. However, it would appear as if the public participation phase should be starting soon. It will only include beachfront parking. That’s exactly as reported last year, so one can gauge the speed and efficiency of the City. However, the various groupings in Camps Bay such as the CBCSI, Neighbourhood Watch and others have initiated their own plan and this has resulted in the Blue Team of car guards on the beachfront. CBCRA’s Theresa Massaglia, who dedicates so much time and effort to positively assisting the homeless on the beachfront will address you shortly on this matter.

• Valuations: The GV2018 property valuation cycle by the City has, again, thrown up many problems. The CBCRA wants to partner with the Greater Cape Town Civic alliance (GCTCA) to unpack what appears to be a very skewed system, which is certainly not in the favour of owners of property along the Atlantic Seaboard. As we will be dealing with other organisations, it is important that we have a mandate from our members to pursue this matter and a show of hands in support will be necessary. 

• Plastics: Bianca Krafft has done sterling work as the Manco member dealing with this dangerous and contaminating pollutant. Unfortunately, due to study commitments, she has decided to step down from the Manco, hopefully only until she completes her studies. Bianca’s efforts and enthusiasm will be sorely missed.

• Marine Outfall Plant: The CBCRA continues to oppose the City regarding the millions of litres of raw sewerage that it pumps into the bay at Camps Bay on a daily basis. As reported previously, the City continues to deny any damage to the environment and is satisfied that the system of dumping pollutants into the sea is sustainable despite the contrary opinion and established facts by all academics in this field. The CBCRA hopes to have other groupings on board in opposing the destruction of the natural environment by the City, which not only includes the Camps Bay MOP but also that of Mouille Point and Hout Bay and the wetlands and lagoon in Milnerton at Flamingo Vlei.

• Cell masts: As previously reported, the City planners have allowed almost unrestricted installation of microwave equipment in Camps Bay. Probably the worst case is the Marine Heights block in Upper Tree Rd. The CBCRA has been making representations to the planning authorities for years now, without success. The CBCRA advised affected neighbours to take this matter to the High Court, which is the only institution that can force the City to properly govern, and a case has now been brought before the Western Cape High Court by an affected neighbour to have this illegal equipment removed. Delaying tactics have been in operation but the application should be heard in February 2021. In the meantime, Telkom has removed its antennae and units – but Cell-C and Vodacom continue to contest the matter.

• Constitution: An issue has been raised regarding the effective tenure of the chair and vice-chair of the Manco and, by extension, the CBCRA. The Constitution purportedly restricts the period to 3 years but as there have been no volunteers for the positions, Richard Bendel and I have continued to fill the posts. It is also our legal advice that the exact meaning of this clause is not precise and that, in any event, nothing turns on the continued voluntary filling of these positions. The Manco will take further legal advice on this matter and ensure that our governance remains true to the constitution of the Association. Clearly, there is no malfeasance in the CBCRA’s actions and the situation has arisen due to a lack of volunteers rather than any desire to continue holding a position by either Richard or myself. Of course, all could be resolved by any person, duly elected, volunteering for the positions!

• Theatre on the Bay: Manco’s Johan van Papendorp has been relentless in dealing with the City in this project by the Theatre on the Bay to upgrade the precinct and provide additional parking. To date, the old electrical substation in Link St has been demolished and a new substation built next to the police station. Work to the proposed piazza on the seaside of Link Street is underway. The site will incorporate the war memorial and add a special space to the area. Our thanks to Johan for his tireless efforts and the support of Pieter Toerien of the Theatre on the Bay.

• Maidens Cove development: It was reported at the last meeting that although the City claimed that it had “listened to the people of Cape Town” and abandoned its proposed development of Maidens Cove, Mayor Dan Plato had confirmed to the CBCRA that it was on the cards again. Basically, too much money around the development for the DA-led City to ignore! As previously stated, the CBCRA, along with the CBOA and the Maidens Cove for All group, will keep a close eye on this proposal and will remain prepared to counter any land-grab threat to the suburbs of Camps Bay and Clifton from the City of Cape Town.

Beachfront Social Issues and Actions:

Theresa Massaglia. I would also like to thank Alan Marsh, the CPF Chair and Peter Cooksen of the City’s Social Development branch for all their efforts in dealing with these seemingly intractable issues.

Planning:

I’ve highlighted a few current items but more information can be found on the website – or by contacting me directly.

• Hotel on the beachfront: The application for a 101-room hotel on the Place on the Bay site, which received 76 individual objections, was approved by the Municipal Planning tribunal. The CBCRA call to the community to assist in opposing this application received tremendous support and over R80k in donations. Currently, we have an extremely well-prepared appeal against this decision before the Mayor and, judging by the time that the City is taking to respond and place it on the Appeal Panel’s agenda, there must be something about which it is very concerned. Our thanks to attorney Leon van Rensburg for his expertise in this matter.

• 5 The Meadway: This matter was heard in the Western Cape High Court today. Currently, the newly constructed building on the site has been interdicted from any further work or occupation. The application is to set aside the planning permission from the City and seek the demolition of certain illegal portions of the building. The conduct of certain City officials in facilitating the illegal work is also being highlighted to the Court.

• 96 Camps Bay Drive: This matter is also a longstanding issue. A couple of years back, the CBCRA successfully applied to the High Court for an order setting aside the City-approved plans. The developer re-submitted plans to which the CBCRA and neighbours objected. As always, the MPT simply approved the new application and the CBCRA has appealed this decision to the Mayor’s Appeal Panel. Again, the slowness of the City in getting this onto an agenda is telling, and we thank Leon van Rensburg for his strong legal appeal.

• In general, it would appear as if the MPT regard the praedial restrictive rights in our title deeds as mere annoyances and remove them at will. The CBCRA is researching the history of all applications to detail the arbitrary nature of the MPT’s actions. If the City shows no interest in this undermining of our property rights, we will consider a legal challenge.

Election of Office Bearers:

As mentioned, Bianca Krafft has resigned from the Manco and we wish her well with her studies next year and our thanks go to her for her efforts over the past years.

Helet Merkling, who dealt with Clifton matters has also stepped down due to her commitments to the proposed Clifton SRA. Helet’s willingness to engage in all civic matters and her specialised legal knowledge have been a great asset to the CBCRA.

Brenda Herbert has resigned from the Manco after many years of dedicated service for which we are all grateful.

Byron Herbert has resigned from the Manco and the CBCRA. 

All other members currently serving on your Manco have agreed to remain for the following year.

On the positive side, the CBCRA Manco has welcomed two new members to its ranks: 

Chris von Ulmenstein, who will be spearheading our journey into an effective social media presence, which will give the ratepayers of Camps Bay a constant update of happenings in the area and allow for proper interaction. Chris is probably well known to many of you and has, for the past while, been busy with the general state of the lower reaches of Camps Bay – from personally cleaning streams and problem areas to working closely with Cllr Jowell.

Chris Marshall also joins the Manco. Chris will be dealing with the governance in the City along with other civic groupings who are addressing the many issues regarding the administration of the City. 

I wish to express my personal gratitude to all these hard-working and selfless individuals who freely give of their time to protect the uniqueness of our beautiful village and suburb. I’m sure that all present here tonight will join me in thanking the Manco.

As always, new members are welcome and there is a great variety of tasks to tackle. 

Thank you

Chris Willemse

Camps Bay & Clifton Ratepayers’ Association Chair

CBCRA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Monday 23 November 2020 @ 18h30

 As 2020 comes to an end, we invite you to attend the

CBCRA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Monday 23 November 2020 @ 18h30

at The Rotunda (Bay Hotel)

It is your opportunity to find out more about what the CBCRA does while being the voice for matters that affect the Camps Bay and Clifton community.
There will be an opportunity to join the Manco as well, but you are under no obligation if you just want to find out more.

The meeting will also be broadcast via ZOOM.
ZOOM login details will be sent closer to the date.

The Meeting Agenda will be communicated via email before the meeting.

EVERYONE IS WELCOME!

Refreshment drinks will be served from 18h15.
Social distancing will be adhered to and we require everyone to wear a mask.

New principal appointed at Camps Bay Primary School

Chris Storey joined Camps Bay Primary School as principal on October 1.

Camps Bay Primary School welcomed Chris Storey as their new principal this month.

Chairperson of the school governing body (SGB) Chris Locker, said Mr Storey joins the school after 13 years as principal of Somerset House where he drove the strategy for the regeneration of the school.

This resulted in the school being recognised as a top performing school by the IEB benchmark system. He also led an urban renewal plan which involved the building or renovation of almost every building on the campus.

“We hope to offer Mr Storey an environment that is open to his new and alternative education solutions that will enable him to be the change agent that can take Camps Bay Primary School to the next level of accomplishment across all spheres,” said Mr Locker.

Camps Bay Primary School is the main feeder school to Camps Bay High School.

Principal at the high school and president of the South African Principals Association, Dave de Korte, said he was excited to have Mr Storey join the Camps Bay Schools family.

“Mr Storey is the perfect fit for the primary school. His calm and warm leadership style is in keeping with the family nature of the school.

I have no doubt that under his visionary leadership, the school will be going to the next level as a safe and caring place of excellent educational experiences,” he said.

Mr Storey said he was excited about joining the school.

“From the first moment I walked into this school, I felt like this is a special place. I’m passionate about making sure that the school is a happy place for children, where they can learn in a relevant way, leaving them equipped to deal with their present and manage their futures successfully,” he said.

Article by Atlantic Sun

Letter of Appeal to 101 Beachfront Hotel

Once again, the response continues to be tremendous and over R80k has been raised to fight this important battle!

The CBCRA’s attorney, Leon van Rensburg, has submitted the appeal to the Mayor of Cape Town’s Advisory Panel (PAA) and a copy is attached below.

Although the time given for the interview is short (10 minutes), a more detailed “heads of argument” will be argued at that time.

Please keep the momentum going…

Below please find the link to the appeal submitted to the Mayor of Cape Town.

CBCRA Appeal to Mayor of Cape Town

The previous communication can be found on the link below:

http://campsbayratepayers.blogspot.com/2020/07/proposed-rezoning-4-fairway-avenue.html

Victoria Road closed 22 July 2020 12h00 - 14h00 - Million Seats on the Streets

Please note that on Wednesday 22 July, restaurants will be blocking the roads outside their premises by dragging all tables and chairs into the street. The protest is expected to last two hours, from 12:00 to 14:00.

Victoria Road will be closed during this time.

Restaurants, take-aways and coffee shops will take to the streets to protest against lockdown rules.

They'll be dragging tables and chairs into the street in a peaceful protest set for Wednesday, 22 July.

It follows massive job losses suffered by the industry due to the impact of lockdown rules and the alcohol ban.

Restaurants, take-aways and coffee shops across the country will take to the streets next week to draw attention to the devastating effects of lockdown regulations on the industry.

In a letter sent by the Restaurant Association of South Africa (Rasa) to the South African Police Service informing them of the protest reads: “Due to the continual disregard for the restaurant industry, [Rasa] and various other restaurants, take away shops and coffee shops will be embarking on a nationwide peaceful demonstration.”

“Each restaurant owner will move tables and chairs from their empty restaurants into the street in front of their establishment in protest of the current regulations and to highlight the plight of the industry.”

Rasa is calling it the “Million Seats on the Streets” protest and is also planning to form a human chain from parliament in Cape Town on 24 July.

South Africa’s restaurant sector is on its knees as the coronavirus crisis and stringent lockdown measures threaten the livelihoods of the 800,000 people employed in the industry.

See also: Heartbreaking photos reveal the jobs massacre at SA's top restaurants

Restaurants are desperate to focus attention on their plight. Rasa says it may sue government on behalf of its members for damages suffered by lockdown regulations, including a rebate on liquor licences.

Despite sit-down meals being allowed in restaurants after a months-long ban, alcohol sales with meals are still out of bounds, starving many restaurants of much-needed income.

The reintroduction of the curfew from 21:00 to 04:00 will also knock income. According to industry representatives, restaurants do the majority of their business after 17:00. If restaurant staff need to be in their homes by 21:00, that means they need time to travel, and to clean and close the restaurant. This effectively cuts restaurants to only two hours of trade, between 17:00 and 19:00.

Restaurants also say they have been let down by insurers like Santam and Guardrisk, who are refusing to pay out business interruption claims.

The desperate situation has led to mass job losses across the industry, and the closure of many prominent restaurants, including The Kitchen in Cape Town, where former US first lady Michelle Obama famously had lunch in 2013.

(Compiled by Edward-John Bottomley)

https://www.businessinsider.co.za/restaurants-will-be-blocking-roads-next-week-to-protest-lockdown-2020-7

Camps Bay hotel plans contested

By

 SINAZO MKOKO

Atlantic Sun

CBCRRA plans to contest hotel upgrades in Camps Bay.

Camps Bay residents are urged to contribute to a fund started to fight hotel upgrades on the beachfront.

The Camps Bay and Clifton Residents’ and Ratepayers’ Association (CBCRRA) plans to contest the City’s Municipal Planning Tribunal’s decision to approve an application for rezoning, consolidation, departures and deletion of title deed restrictions for two adjacent properties at 4 The Fairway.

The property currently houses a hotel and the developer, through town planner, Tommy Brummer Town Planners, has proposed the construction of a five-storey development consisting of 101 bedrooms, a restaurant and 58 parking bays.

The applicant said the development would enhance the area along Victoria Road, and as Camps Bay was known as a tourism asset, the luxury hotel would support the tourist economy.

Developers also believe the proposed restaurant would activate “current dead façades” along street boundaries and that property values would be enhanced.

Camps Bay residents objected to the proposal, claiming that it would have a major impact on the surrounding properties, and the CBCRRA argued that the application was of such an “arbitrary nature” that there could be no coherent basis for it in law or City policy.

They also feel the the area will not cope with the amount of traffic that such a development would generate. “It will, no doubt, be argued that most guests to hotels use e-hailing services and that therefore there is little actual on-site parking required. This is an anecdotal argument, not backed up by any meaningful research,” the association said.

In a statement released last week, CBCRRA chairman Chris Willemse, said the next step in the process would be to appeal the MPT decision with the executive mayor’s Planning Appeals Advisory Panel (PAAP).

“Now the serious side of this matter starts, if the community is up to it. The CBCRRA would suggest that we start a fund to contest the matter – given that there were over 90 objections to the application and the fact that it will be a monstrosity on the beachfront,” he said.

Mr Willemse added that it would be in their best interest to retain the services of an attorney to represent them on the matter. “Initially, the fund would only have to cover his costs, so maybe a contribution of R1 000 each to the fun,” he said.

PROPOSED REZONING 4 THE FAIRWAY AVENUE (101 Beachfront Hotel)

Herewith the link to the appeal in this matter:

CBCRA Appeal to Mayor of Cape Town

Please see correspondence below from Chris Willemse, the Chair of the CBCRA, on the proposed development of a 101 room hotel on the beachfront. Should you feel inclined to support the call to action plan, please contact Chris directly on campsbayratepayers@gmail.com.

Please find various docs and correspondence regarding the Beachfront Hotel:

(The full City Planner's report is at the bottom of this post).

 

CBCRA presentation to the Municipal Planning Tribunal (MPT)

The MPT decision was to be expected, as it approves virtually all applications regardless of how inappropriate and ghastly they may be.

The City's Decision Letter Erf 2542 & 258

The MPT Decision noted in the Minutes Erf 2542 & 258

However, now the serious side of this matter starts, if the community is up to it.

The next step in the process is to appeal the MPT decision to the Executive Mayor’s Planning Appeals Advisory Panel (PAAP).

The CBCRA would suggest that we start a fund to contest the matter - given that there were over 70 objections to the application and the fact that it will be a monstrosity on the beachfront.

It would be preferable to retain an attorney to do this and the CBCRA recommends Leon van Rensburg, who has successfully represented the community in a host of other matters.

Initially, the fund would only have to cover his costs - so maybe a contribution of R1000 each to the fund.

Banking details:
CBCRA
First National Bank
Branch code: 201709
Account No: 62062797934
Reference: YOUR NAME and Beachfront Hotel

There is only a period of 21 days to appeal, so please advise as a matter of urgency if you wish to proceed as suggested.

Please also forward this mail to other affected parties.

Further, please advise urgently if you received an official copy of this Decision Letter from the City - either by registered mail or e-mail (if you agreed to such service).

Failure on the part of the City to advise you of the decision would help tremendously in opposing this matter.

Cheers

Chris Willemse

Chair

CBCRA 

Camps Bay & Clifton Ratepayers Association

campsbayratepayers@gmail.com

+27836536363

The information below is from the website of the applicant's town planner:

CAMPS BAY ERF 2542 & 258
4 THE FAIRWAY & 31 VICTORIA ROAD

The aerial photograph

Application for Rezoning, Consolidation, Departures, Deletion of Title Deed Conditions and City Approval

• Consolidation Plan
• Site Development Plan
• 3D Views

MPTNW 13.3.20A.pdf

MPTNW 13.3.20C&D.pdf 

CCT Reporting Fraud and Corruption

REPORTING FRAUD AND ORRUPTION

During these challenging times, as we face COVID-19, the City of Cape Town's Forensic Services and its hotline are available to receive your complaints relating to fraud, corruption, maladmininstration or unethical behaviour.

How to report fraud

If you are aware of any fraud, corruption, maladmininstration or unethical behaviour, please call 0800 323 130 to report it anonymously in your preferred language.

Contact the Fraud Hotline as follows:

Fraud Hotline: 0800 323 130

Available 24 hours a day 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Forensic Services: 021 487 2742

office Hours: 07:30 – 16:00

Fax: 0800 200 796

Evidence documents can be faxed. Line is operational 24 hours a day 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

E-mail: CCT@thehotline.co.za

fraud.hotline@capetown.gov.za

Post:

The Vuvuzela Hotline

PO Box 12288

Die Hoewes 2 0163

Published by the City of Cape Town, June 2020.

Tour World Art Museums Online

The oval rooms housing “Les Nymphéas” (The Water Lilies) by Claude Monet.

Image courtesy of https://worldtoptop.com/

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic which has affected the whole world, countries have introduced travel restrictions in a bid to minimise the spread of the virus.

In South Africa, international travel is not allowed as the country prepares for the peak of the corona virus. Only business travel is allowed.

Thanks to technology, there are ways to ensure that wanderlust travellers still get a bit of their favourite destinations.

In a bid to bring the French spirit to South African travellers, several museums are offering virtual tours.

The Louvre has introduced a virtual tour, travellers are able to explore the many corridors and take in some of the most important pieces in history which sit proudly on display in the museum. Pieces like the Mona Lisa, Nike, Venus de Milo and more are available to view with a click of a button. Visit the Louvre virtually here.

The Fine Arts Museum Of Lyon, which holds some of the most significant fine art pieces in the country France,  has also gone virtual. You can visit the Fine Arts Museum Of Lyon virtually here.

Musée d’Orsay is housed in what used to be an old railway station and a hotel before it was turned into the remarkable world-famous museum that it is today. The museum houses French furniture, paintings, photographs, and sculptures from artists like Renoir, Monet, Degas, Manet, and van Gogh. You can visit it virtually here.

The Lascaux Caves, which is situated near the village of Montignac, is home to some of the earliest cave paintings in the world. The cave contains nearly 6,000 figures which can be grouped into three main categories: animals, human figures and abstract signs, and gives us a glimpse of what human life was like roughly 20,000 years ago. Visit The Lascaux Caves virtually here.

Musée l’Orangerie, also invites travellers to take part in a virtual walk in the two oval rooms of the artist’s world-famous Water Lilies series which was designed between 1915 and 1926 in Giverny. You can visit Musée l’Orangerie virtually here.

Article posted by The Atlantic Sun on 30 June 2020.

https://www.atlanticsun.co.za/entertainment/tour-french-museums-from-comfort-of-your-home-50153498

WWF Brings Nature Inside During Lockdown

WWF South Africa has launched a 10-hour long playlist titled Bring Nature Inside". 

WWF South Africa has launched a 10-hour long playlist titled “Bring Nature Inside”, which features soundscapes from nature recorded in areas where they are working.

“We wanted to allow people to experience the richness of nature. With many of us feeling overwhelmed by the current state of the world and the unique disruptions we are facing, it is imperative for us to take care of our mental and emotional well-being. Nature provides the perfect ‘escape’ that we need during this time,” says Justin Smith, head of business development at WWF South Africa.

From the soothing backdrop of a free-flowing river to the rhythmic sound of the Atlantic Ocean, each track features sounds with a description, and showcases the work WWF is doing to help protect South Africa’s natural heritage.

The calming and inspirational tracks include Soutpansberg, Highveld, Fishing, Rhino, Beach, Bees, Sugarbird, National Park, Windfarm and Pastures.

The soundscapes are available on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, Deezer, Google Play and Amazon or visit wwf.org.za for more information.

A percentage of the streaming royalties will go to support WWF SA’s ongoing conservation work, at no cost to the platform user.

Article posted by the Atlantic Sun Staff Reporter 25 June 2020.

https://www.atlanticsun.co.za/news/wwf-south-africa-brings-nature-to-you-49856753

Improving Kloofnek congestion

The City’s transport directorate is investing R2.1 million in improving traffic flow on Kloofnek Road and to create a safe footway for pedestrians along Signal Hill Road.

The project started in April and is scheduled for completion by the end of August, if all goes according to plan and if bad weather doesn’t stall work.

The City’s mayoral committee member for transport, Felicity Purchase, said the footway would accommodate pedestrians who usually walk from the MyCiTi stop at the top of Kloofnek Road to the steps opposite the SANParks office. Once completed, pedestrians will be able to use this footway to a point where they can access the off-street contour path to Lion’s Head.

“This area is extremely popular among tourists, visitors, and local residents and will help to improve the safety of those on foot,” she said.

Improvements to assist with traffic flow are also under way on the Camps Bay-bound approach off Kloofnek Road at the intersection of Tafelberg and Signal Hill roads.

Currently, about 160m of the footway has been completed.

A yield controlled pedestrian crossing will still be added at the crossing point on Signal Hill Road, at the point at which steps lead up to the SANParks contour path to the Lion’s Head parking lot.

The widening along Kloofnek Road on Lion’s Head side is still in progress.

From page 1

The City said the excavation would not extend beyond the relatively narrow strip that is currently visible on the Lion’s Head side of the roadway.

They said the current short right-turn lane on Kloofnek Road heading towards Camps Bay does not sufficiently meet the demand and often results in queuing right-turning road traffic and obstructs the movement of other traffic.

“We have investigated possible solutions, and have decided to implement a longer dedicated right-turn lane, along with a separate through lane. This change will necessitate the widening of the road within the existing road reserve so that we can achieve the relevant lane-width requirements. The widening is being implemented within the road reserve and existing cut-slope or embankment on the Lion’s Head side of the roadway,” said Ms Purchase.

She added that traffic exiting from The Glen and Signal Hill towards Camps Bay, would need to turn left and then proceed right around the median island, in a similar fashion to negotiating a traffic circle.

“Many vehicles approaching along Kloofnek Road from Camps Bay exceed the posted speed limit. This creates a dangerous situation for those exiting from Tafelberg Road and Signal Hill Road. Thus, the change is deemed necessary and is in the interest of road safety and improved traffic flow,” she said.

She said the improvements would alleviate congestion and improve pedestrian and vehicular safety at the gateway to one of the five key tourism destinations in the city and It will benefit visitors and daily commuters using this route as we anticipate fewer delays.

“It couldn’t have come at a better time – the requirement to practise social distancing will be with us for the foreseeable future and the footway will make it possible for pedestrians to give each other a bit more space without stepping on the road,” she said.

Ward 54 councillor Nicola Jowell, said the changes should make a significant difference to those commuting home to Camps Bay, Clifton and Hout Bay and for drivers on the school commutes and to seasonal and tourist visitors to the area, beaches and mountain.

Article posted by the Atlantic Sun 25 June 2020

https://www.atlanticsun.co.za/news/improving-kloofnek-congestion-49856343

Camps Bay Police Station now re-opened

Camps Bay police station has reopened after being closed last week when an employee tested positive for Covid-19.

The station was closed for 48 hours to be santised and the affected members are in quarantine. On Monday June 22, the station was closed again after a second positive case of Covid-19 was revealed. The station was sanitised in the evening and members of the public were urged to go to the Sea Point police station for assistance.

Meanwhile, the provincial Department of Health has released the number of Covid-19 cases per suburb. According to statistics for some of the Atlantic Seaboard areas, as at Monday June 22, there were 10 cases in Bakoven, 21 in Camps Bay, eight in Clifton, 15 in Devil’s Peak Estate, 15 in De Waterkant, 118 in Fresnaye, 73 in Gardens, six in Mouille Point, 32 in Oranjezicht, 59 in Schotschekloof, 83 in Sea Point, 14 in Tamboerskloof, 14 in Three Anchor Bay, 55 in Vredehoek and 24 in the Waterfront.

Premier Alan Winde said the province had recorded an additional 25 deaths, bringing the total number of Covid-19 related deaths in the province to 1 424.

He said the province was continuously reassessing the data available to them to give them an indication of when the virus peak will occur.

He said these models are predictions based on the best available data at the time, and it is impossible to pinpoint exactly when this will happen.

“But by taking additional care now, and managing the number of active cases, we can help to slow the spread and help to save lives,” he said.

Article was published by Sinazo Mkoko and Staff Reporter at The Atlantic Sun 25 June 2020.

https://www.atlanticsun.co.za/news/station-now-open-49856347