Welcome to the CRRA ~
Conserving Constantia’s rural and cultural landscape for all.
Promoting and safeguarding the interests of ratepayers and residents.
NOTICE OF THE 70th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Notice is hereby given that the 70th Annual General Meeting of Members of the Constantia Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association will be held on Tuesday 24th November at (5:30 for) 6:00pm at Groot Constantia Wine Tasting & Sales venue, Constantia.
Refreshments will be served after the formal proceedings
Things happening in the Valley!
City encourages residents to complete online Baboon Questionnaire
The City of Cape Town encourages residents living in baboon-affected neighbourhoods to complete the online Baboon Questionnaire. The closing date for participation is Monday, 8 March 2021. Read more below:
The questionnaire has been, and is still available online at: bit.ly/CCTBaboons.
Cape Town is well known for its chacma baboons. Many of our residential areas are near natural environments where these baboons thrive. Some of the troops keep their distance from humans, while others sometimes venture into the urban environment, and residential neighbourhoods.
We encourage residents who live in areas close to the baboons’ natural environment, and may be affected or encounter baboons, to please complete the questionnaire. The feedback we receive through the questionnaire will provide us with valuable information and insight and will be considered when making improvements to the City’s Urban Baboon Programme.
The Urban Baboon Programme is aimed at keeping baboons in their natural environment and out of urban areas as far as possible. It is in the interest of the safety of the baboons and residents that contact and conflict between people and baboons are minimised.
It will take about 20 minutes to complete the questionnaire and, importantly, the City will not disclose the identities of those who participate to third parties.
The link to the questionnaire was sent on 14 December 2020 to approximately 11 200 residents who are living in neighbourhoods adjacent to baboons’ natural habitat. The City used the e-billing database to identify these residents – i.e. by extracting residential addresses.
We have received considerable feedback to date, but it is possible that some residents still want to participate. This is a reminder to these residents to please complete the questionnaire by Monday, 8 March 2021.
The City also wants to inform residents that we are engaging other spheres of government, notably SANParks and CapeNature, about the Urban Baboon Programme. These engagements are also aimed at improving collaboration and decision-making on an operational level.
‘We will provide the public with an update on the outcome of these engagements in due course, once all parties are ready to do so. Also, progress reports will serve before the City’s Mayoral Committee in coming weeks. In the meantime, I want to thank those residents who have already completed the questionnaire for setting aside the time to do so. We value your feedback,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Marian Nieuwoudt.
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Issued by: Media Office, City of Cape Town
Media enquiries: Alderman Marian Nieuwoudt, Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, City of Cape Town, Tel: 021 400 5154 or Cell: 084 224 0023, Email: marian.nieuwoudt@capetown.gov.za (please always copy media.account@capetown.gov.za)
Please re-locate all baboons from the entire peninsula to a safe natural habitat, for instance Sanbona Private Game Reserve near Montagu.
CITY OF CAPE TOWN
9 FEBRUARY 2021
MEDIA RELEASE
What residents need to know about delays in refuse collection and area cleansing services
Residents are reminded that the City of Cape Town is currently experiencing delays in the repairs and maintenance of Solid Waste vehicles. This is unfortunately resulting in delays in both formal refuse collection in wheelie bins and area cleansing services across the metropole. Every effort however is being made to ensure that these services return to its normal schedule. Read more below:
The City is continuing to focus its efforts on restoring the collections and cleansing services to its normal schedule while following due legislative process related to the repairs and maintenance of vehicles.
Solid Waste vehicles follow an intensive servicing programme due to the high demand on the service, which clears approximately 200 000 bins per day.
‘Wherever possible, the City is carrying out vehicle repairs in-house, and the functional fleet is being stretched. However, Solid Waste trucks, also known as compactors, are specialist vehicles, so its maintenance and repairs need to be referred to vendors as the City does not have the in-house capacity or resources for this work. Every effort is being made to expedite these processes, where possible, so that the repairs and maintenance can take place as soon as possible. This includes Supply Chain Management appointing temporary additional capacity to assist with the processing of purchase orders. Eight new compactors have not been delivered, as we receive these from overseas and lockdown has caused delays as well. Much work is being done to improve processes.
‘The Solid Waste Department has mobilised resources from all over the city to address these delays and are fully committed to restoring services to normal in the fastest possible time. The team has set ambitious targets and hopes the situation will improve by the end of February where residents should start noticing an improvement.
‘We want to thank our refuse collection crews who have been working tirelessly, including weekends, where necessary, to ensure that bins are being serviced and area cleansing services continue.
‘We also want to thank our residents for their patience and understanding during this time. The City sincerely regrets any inconvenience that may be caused,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Waste, Alderman Xanthea Limberg.
What to do when there are refuse collection delays during this period
Every effort is being made to ensure that refuse is collected on the scheduled day, however should this not be possible, residents should take their bins in at 21:00, and bring them out again the following morning at 06:00.
If not collected on the scheduled day, it will generally be collected the following day. In exceptional cases where even this is not possible due to various issues, residents should please bring their bins out every day until it is collected (including Saturdays and Sundays).
This should be repeated until the refuse is removed. If your bin is not out when the vehicle is in the area, it will unfortunately not be serviced.
The City sincerely regrets any inconvenience that may be caused.
Residents are reminded of the following:
· Please do not resort to illegal dumping if collection delays cause refuse to build up to the point where it cannot fit in the wheelie bins.
· Where possible, practice home composting. This will allow further space in the bin during this period. Visit www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Activities-and-programmes/Cleaning-and-recycling/home-composting... on how to do home composting.
· Please consider separating your recyclables – glass, paper, cardboard and plastic, etc- which can be taken to one of the City’s drop-off facilities.
What to do when bins are stolen
Stolen bins are replaced free of charge.
Residents need to submit the following to the City:
· Affidavit signed by a commissioner of oaths or SAPS
· Their account number, address, contact details
Submissions can be done:
· in person at a Walk-in centre or cash office or housing office
· Emailed Wastewise@capetown.gov.za
More information is available here: www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Municipal-services/solid-waste/Apply-for-a-new-wheelie-bin...
Logging service requests:
Residents are encouraged to submit service requests for Solid Waste Management using the following channels:
· General Call Center: 0860 103 089
· Online: www.capetown.gov.za/servicerequests/
· Email: Wastewise@capetown.gov.za
Residents should please always remember to take note of the reference number provided.
For more information on City services, including revenue offices, please visit this link.
End
Issued by: Media Office, City of Cape Town
From Carol Belinda Bew
CITY OF CAPE TOWN
24 FEBRUARY 2021
MEDIA RELEASE
Residents requested to reduce water consumption this weekend
The City’s Water and Sanitation Department will be shutting down production at the Faure Water Treatment Plant temporarily to enable maintenance and repair work on a bulk water pipeline this weekend. Read more below:
Cape Town residents are requested to please minimise non-essential consumption of water this weekend due to work taking place on the 2400mm Faure bulk water pipeline.
The Faure Water Treatment Plant, which is one of the major treatment plants supplying the city, will be offline from Friday 26 February at 14:00 until Sunday 28 February at 14:00.
Arrangements have been made to step up production at the Blackheath Water Treatment Plant to compensate while Faure is offline, and residents should not experience any significant disruption of water supply as a result. However, there may be slight changes to the taste and colour of water coming out of the taps during changeover of supply. This is no cause for concern, and water remains safe to drink.
The work involves the replacement of a 1800mm diameter valve in the vicinity of Ithemba Labs, Eerste River, as well as the repair of two scour/draining valves on this main pipeline that conveys water from the Faure water treatment plant.
The request for residents to reduce consumption while work is under way is a precaution to minimise strain on the system while one of the major treatment plants are offline.
The Stellenbosch municipality has also been informed to prepare for this as a portion of their drinking water is supplied from this bulk water main.
The City sincerely regrets any inconvenience caused, but it is imperative that it maintains its water supply infrastructure to benefit its consumers.
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Issued by: Media Office, City of Cape Town
Media enquiries: media.account@capetown.gov.za
The Influx of Street People and Land Invasions in Constantia
The CRRA ExCo are extremely aware of the significant increase in the number of ‘street people’ in Constantia over the past several months and of course the associated proliferation of informal structures. We are also aware of the various criminal activities that have been linked to so-called ‘squatter camps’. The increase in the number of street people has been exacerbated by the Covid-19 lockdown regulations (no evictions permitted) and the release of 6000 ‘low risk’ prisoners from Pollsmoor in April.
The Cape Town Central City Improvement District (CCID) have been very effective in addressing similar issues in the CBD and for this reason a combined CRRA/Constantia Watch delegation met with their senior management. There was a constructive exchange of ideas and two important conclusions were drawn:
Firstly, there is a need for a Displaced Persons Unit (DPU) in Constantia. The City are planning within the next few months to set up a DPU in each Sub-Council, however SC-20 covers a very large area from Rondebosch to Westlake. The CRRA/ Constantia Watch intend to collaborate with them on this and possibly have a sub-DPU dedicated to Constantia. This of course will require funding.
Secondly, the main reason why street people have established in Constantia is because the public provide resources (i.e. money, food, clothing, building materials etc.) Councillor Liz Brunette recently published the following on this:
Give Dignity | Give Responsibly to Night Shelters and Safe Spaces for Street People
Since lockdown in March and the release of 6000 prisoners from Pollsmoor Prison, the number of street people, criminals and gang members camping on public open space in Constantia, Wynberg and Plumstead has escalated.
The National Government’s Covid-19 Regulations do not allow the City’s Displaced People’s Unit and Law Enforcement to move street people who invade City property in defiance of the City’s Streets and Public Spaces bylaw.
Non-profit organisations have taken the City to court for removing land invaders on City property in the Metro, which limits the action that the City can take to move street people off public land.
Safety & Security’s Displaced Peoples Unit and Law Enforcement, accompanied by Social Development’s Street Peoples Unit, conduct operations every week, and offer social assistance such as bed space at shelters. However, in many instances this is refused.
If street people refuse assistance from the City then Law Enforcement cannot force them to leave the area, nor can they confiscate personal belongings and tents.
Illegal actions such as lighting fires, burning tyres and plastic, urinating and defecating outside residents’ homes and businesses, making a noise late into the night make the neighbouring residents and businesses lives a misery.
Street people discourage residents from shopping in our business districts, which facilitates the urban degeneration that the City is striving to turn around.
The big problem that Law Enforcement are facing is that members of the community supply tents and food to the homeless, which encourages street people to live in the area and makes the task of relocation so much more difficult.
Community members are strongly encouraged to channel their generosity to organizations that provide a comprehensive service to people living rough on the streets and in the greenbelts.
This aligns with the City’s ‘Give Dignity’ strategy and promotes a ‘hand up’ rather than ‘hand out’ philosophy.
A list of organizations that provide services to street people is available on request.
For more information please contact Sherry-Lee at SherryLee.LaMohr@capetown.gov.za
Footnote: Constantia Watch suggest using the U-Turn voucher system: homeless.org.za/vouchers/
homeless.org.za
Vouchers provide more than food and clothing, they are tickets to support and rehabilitation services for a journey to employment (see FAQs below for more info). Each pack costs contains 5 vouchers and costs R100. Purchase your vouchers online and we’ll post your pack to you. Alternatively, purcha...Something of interest...
www.news24.com
While the mention of “Cottage No 4” will likely elicit a look of puzzlement on most faces at present, the Constantia Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association (CRRA) hopes that the building will in future become known as a place to go to learn about theCovid-19 testing made easy.
If you have been exposed and want to get tested for peace of mind, Epicentre ( epicentre.org.za/contact-us/) offer a convenient service with minimal queuing and quick (24 hour) results.
The CRRA, as a registered Conservation Body, has been asked by the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) to comment on their intention to have 10 Kramats declared as National Heritage sites.
Three of the 10 are situated in Constantia (Spaanschemat River Rd, Klein Constantia Rd and Buitenwerwachting farm). The letter from SAHRA can be found on the following DropBox link: www.dropbox.com/s/3bgg8w7p2jlziv0/Kramats%20-%20SAHRA%20Notification%20Letter.pdf?dl=0
If you would like to comment, please send to manager@crra.co.za by 15th December 2020.
There’s an AWESOME initiative by Constantia Village for the next 2 weeks only. *For every R500 you spend at the centre, they will donate R10 to the Constantia CAN & Ladles of Love*. Just take your receipts to the info desk near le Cruiset. Simple. Easy. With no cost to yourself. Pls make the effort. They could raise THOUSANDS!!!
Great initiative!
INVITATION to the 2020 Annual General Meeting of the
Constantia Ratepayers' and Residents' Association
DATE: Tuesday 24th November 2020
TIME: 5:30 for 6:00pm
VENUE: Groot Constantia Wine Tasting Centre
GUEST SPEAKER: R.W. Johnson (Journalist, political scientist, historian and author of the book ‘How Long Will South Africa Survive’)
We urge our existing members to spread the word and perhaps invite prospective new members to attend the AGM to find out first-hand what the Association is all about.
Suggest you create as an event on your FB page so we can get reminders and updates
Laura Barzon
CITY OF CAPE TOWN
30 JULY 2020
SPEECH BY THE CITY’S EXECUTIVE MAYOR, ALDERMAN DAN PLATO
Residents and councillors must work together to make things better
Colleagues, councillors, members of the public, the media, speaker, before we start today, I would like to send my condolences to the families, friends and loved ones of Mr Zwakala, a law enforcement officer who was killed while off duty earlier this week. I also wanted to extend my condolences to all the families, friends and loved ones of all those who have passed away from the Coronavirus over recent weeks.
Speaker, I think we can all agree that July has been a tough month. The country is starting to really feel the impact of the national lockdown now, and here in Cape Town we have been under siege with illegal land invasions that have left both public infrastructure and private businesses in ruin in parts of the City. We thank our frontline staff, some of whom are putting their bodies on the line for residents. We pray especially for our staff who are in hospital with serious injuries.
Speaker, while it was essential to give our health systems those crucial first weeks to prepare for the wave of Covid-19 infections that would have otherwise overrun our hospitals and caused many more deaths, the economic devastation that has been brought about by the extended national lockdown is going to have a much bigger impact for months, and probably years to come.
National government can no longer ignore the legitimate concerns of industries which are able to open safely but remain mostly locked down and restricted. Government must listen to the calls of the hospitality, tourism, wine and other major sectors. Any business that can open safely should be allowed to do so.
In Cape Town and the Western Cape, we are working hard to maintain South Africa’s lowest unemployment rate, and to support local economic recovery. Earlier this week I handed out thousands of support kits, which included cloth face masks, hand sanitiser and important safety information, to informal traders so they can continue to trade safely. This follows another several thousand kits handed out to SMMEs over recent weeks.
Today we take another step forward in securing Cape Town as a Greentech capital with the proposal to transfer property valued of R56 million to the Western Cape Government for the continued development of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ). By taking this step, thousands of job opportunities will be unlocked and billions will be added to the regional economy over the next 15 years.
In the short term, let us remember that by working together, we can mitigate the damage of the national lockdown. Councillors have a vital role to play in being the link between your communities and this administration. You need to know what is required in your communities, what your residents are saying, and make sure that we deliver.
I have also noted with concern the serious allegations of corruption taking place elsewhere in the country regarding procurement for COVID-19 relief, including personal protective equipment, transport equipment and others. It is disappointing that a crisis such as the coronavirus pandemic is abused for personal gain and funds intended to help those most in need cannot be accounted for.
The residents of Cape Town can rest assured that every cent spent in this administration can be accounted for, as the Auditor General confirms with our clean and unqualified audits.
Under the DA, we are the only metro administration in the country that has received consecutive unqualified audit findings since we were elected to govern in 2006 – something that our residents can be proud of.
This is a difficult fact for the ANC caucus to swallow, because they can’t point to a record like that in any ANC-governed metro. To make things worse for the ANC, the City’s most recent audit had no material irregular findings, so the ANC try and go back further. But they are disappointed speaker, because the AG’s findings from previous financial years are of a technical nature, and every single cent of City funds was spent on services and value for the public.
Before the DA were given the mandate by the people of Cape Town to run this city, the ANC almost ran the city into the ground with fraud, tender rigging and rampant corruption.
It was only after the DA took the reins from the ANC in 2006 that we were able to avoid ‘a financial meltdown,’ as it was reported back then, and set the administration on a road that would see us receiving clean audits and numerous awards for the best services in the country.
That’s not to say that we don’t still have work to do. We can always do better, and that is what we strive to do. Councillors represent their communities at various committee meetings, sub council engagements, budget meetings, ratepayers’ AGMs and public gatherings. The public need to know who their councillors are and work with them to make sure their communities gets the service that they expect.
We will achieve so much more if we all work together, so be mindful of those who mischievously spread misinformation.
Speaker, on today’s council agenda is a proposal to make land in Khayelitsha available for the building of a private hospital. We are pleased to be driving progress using these properties for the community of Khayelitsha.
The City is constantly planning for the future. This is why we are seriously concerned about the R162 million water pipeline to Khayelitsha which is being derailed by land invasions. This pipeline will strengthen water pressure and supply for future housing projects.
Residents cannot afford to have this project fail, and they should be assured that it is of high priority to the City as well.
While we have yet to calculate the full costs of the current spate of land invasions, we have already seen a R50 million housing project in Makhaza lost to land invaders this past weekend, and we have determined that attempts to invade land and illegally occupy City projects are threatening housing and human settlements projects to the value of R1,3 billion.
This is not even factoring in the MyCiTi buses, stations, play park equipment, COVID-19 facilities, community halls, dial-a-ride vehicle, fire truck, and other city infrastructure that has been damaged, torched and destroyed.
One thing is clear though - we simply cannot afford to keep rebuilding that which is destroyed. Our budget is committed to projects and programmes and we cannot just cancel these plans to replace infrastructure that thugs and rioters destroy. I feel for these communities and I want to call on them to report those who are causing this havoc. You don’t need to tell us your name, just give us the information.
I also want to call on those who have invaded land and said that they were evicted by their landlords – this is not allowed during the lockdown and you need to return to your former place of residence. If your landlord refuses access you must report them to the South African Police Service (SAPS).
I am glad that the National Minister of Human Settlements, Lindiwe Sisulu, in our meeting earlier this week, agreed that land invasions cannot be allowed and that municipalities have a duty to protect their land. Minister Sisulu also agreed to speak to her colleague, Bheki Cele, the National Minister of Police, about supporting our anti-land invasion operations and providing increased policing support in Cape Town.
Speaker, I am very concerned at the ongoing double speak of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), who have asked the courts to prevent us from carrying out anti-land invasion operations.
On the one hand, regional commissioner Chris Nissen claims to condemn land invasions. But yet the SAHRC is in court asking for the common law right to protect property to be declared unlawful.
The SAHRC is asking the High Court for an interdict preventing landowners from removing empty, unoccupied structures as a means of protecting property from invasion.
The commission also seeks the voiding of all existing court orders permitting the City to protect specific sites from illegal invasion.
This will set a dangerous precedent and goes far beyond what the Constitution allows.
I note the SAPS state in their court papers that the SAHRC’s application is “misguided, fundamentally flawed, and constitutes an abuse of this court’s processes”.
Based on recent conduct, it is clear that the SAHRC in the Western Cape is playing politics at the expense of their reputation. Instead of abusing the mandate of a Chapter 9 institution, the Western Cape branch should rather register with the IEC for next year’s local elections.
Chapter 9 institutions have been given important responsibilities in South Africa and I urge the SAHRC to consider the negative impact of their application on Cape Town and South Africa as a whole.
Land invasions derail housing and service projects, lead to the pollution of waterways, severely prejudice deserving housing beneficiaries, and cause property owners to lose their investments over night. If the Legal Resource Centre (LRC), who are supporting the SARHC in the court matter, were serious about protecting people’s rights, they would be looking to prevent illegal land invasions, which take away the rights of law abiding citizens.
Speaker, it would seem that the rights of people impacted by illegal land invasion have been forgotten by the Human Rights Commission and the LRC, and one must start asking whether the funders of the LRC are in support of their fight against law abiding residents.
I have seen how having played dirty politics for several months now, and using bully tactics, the LRC now want to play victim all of a sudden.
Speaker, it is clear that many thousands of residents are silently bearing the severe impact of land invasions due to the unlawful actions of a relatively small group of people who occupy land illegally.
My message to the overwhelming majority of law-abiding residents is this: Rest assured that the City will keep standing up for you.
Residents can be proud of what Cape Town has achieved in preparing for the peak of the coronavirus as One City Together.
I am grateful to all the City staff, the service providers, and our partners in provincial government, who have worked day and night to ready health facilities, ensure that testing facilities are easily accessible, distribute thousands of support packs for small businesses to re-open safely, provide food aid to thousands of residents in need, and adapt the way we work so that we can continue to deliver services. We achieved all this with the support of our residents who are doing their part to stay safe too.
We now need national government to start removing the restrictive national regulations and allow economies to properly open up again. The limitations still in place are clearly doing more harm than good. I hear from our councillors every day about the hardships faced by local businesses in their communities, and the struggles they face as they are prevented from trading safely.
Lastly, I hope that everyone has by now seen that the iconic Adderley Street fountain is flowing once again. During Cape Town’s worst drought in recent history, the fountain was temporarily switched off. Let its restoration be a small symbol of hope and renewal for us in these times. Thanks must go to Councillor Dave Bryant and a number of city officials for their efforts. Progress is possible, and we can overcome the hardships we face as One City Together.
Thank you
End
Issued by: Media Office, City of Cape Town
Media enquiries: Greg Wagner, Spokesperson to the Executive Mayor, Tel: 021 400 9459, Cell: 072 623 4499, Email: Greg.wagner@capetown.gov.za (please always copy media@capetown.gov.za)
The Constantia Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association will greatly miss the dedication, enthusiasm, knowledge and hard work as well as the cheerful disposition of Chris Rousseau who passed away recently after more than a year of illness so bravely borne.
Chris was a professional structural engineer who found the time to serve the Constantia community whilst also running his own consulting practice. He was vice-chair of the CRRA Executive Committee which he served on for 10 years including as Land Use chairman for 7 years. In 2019 he was recognized by the City for his contribution to the community when he was honoured with a Community Service Award.
Chris had a passion for the history of Constantia particularly that of the many previously dispossessed families. For example, through a series of interviews with former and current residents, he compiled a detailed map of where families lived in the Strawberry Lane area (including anecdotes of certain characters) before forced removals and development.
He led the CRRA team on the development of a Local Area Spatial Development Framework for Constantia which is still a ‘work in progress’ and until recently provided invaluable input despite his ailing health.
He loved walking up the mountain with his two dogs, early enough to see the sunrise over the mountains of the Helderberg.
He will be sorely missed.
He will be, heartsore beyond words
Condolences to Lindy and family on the loss of a wonderful and gentle man. X
I would like to see the map of where families lived. Is it available?
Refuse collection in Constantia is DELAYED.
Please leave your bin out until it is serviced (I.e. the truck arrives before 9pm)
If I leave my bin outside my gate, I have to go put all my rubbish back in as the bergies toss it all out.
Is this the same for tomorrow (Friday)?
What is on top of these bins - some security lock???
View the issues we are discussing & add your own comments
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PLEASE DONATE TO STREET CLEANING:
R200 pays for one cleaner per day!
Council have an extended PublicWorks Programme which allows for some cleaning of the main roads, but as you can see from the amount of litter everywhere, this is not working and despite our best efforts, Council will do nothing further. SO HOW CAN YOU HELP US TO SUSTAIN THE CLEARING? SNAPSCAN THIS CODE ON THE LEFT!!
Simply scan this code into your Snapscan application on your phone and enter an amount to donate.
The Future of Constantia is in your hands.
