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!
Dear All,
Please be advised that the Executive Mayor Alderman Dan Plato will be hosting a community Service Awards event.
Due to Covid regulations the intent is to host the event via live streaming from the Banqueting Hall in the Civic Centre to each Sub Council venue where the individual events per Sub Council will be held on the 29th June @16h00.
There are 12 categories for the awards (please see the attached nomination form) therefore the recipients of these awards will be selected from the areas that fall within the jurisdiction of Subcouncil20. Each Sub Council will have 12 recipients of the awards.
It is the request of the Executive Mayor that the nomination form be widely advertised via email, social media and or your community structures within the various Wards so as to ensure transparency, inclusivity and even distribution hereof to all interested persons.
Additional information such as the invite to the Awards evening will be provided at a later date.
Nomination forms with the required evidence can either be hand delivered to our office at the Alphen centre or emailed to Siyabonga.Jonas2@capetown.gov.za.
Please note the closing date for Nominations is on the 23rd June 2021 @16h00. Recipients of Awards must be available on Tuesday 29 June @16h00 until 20h00.
The Executive Mayor thanks you for your consideration hereof and any assistance you may render. .
Any further enquiries can be directed to Ms Jemayne Andrews (Jemayne.Andrews@capetown.gov.za).
Kind Regards
Celes Allies
Secretary: Subcouncil 20
Urban Management: Area South
Alphen Centre, Constantia Main Road, Constantia
Disclaimer: This e-mail (including attachments) is subject to the disclaimer published at: www.capetown.gov.za/general/email-disclaimer Please read the disclaimer before opening any attachment or taking any other action in terms of this e-mail. If you cannot access the disclaimer, kindly send an email to disclaimer@capetown.gov.za and a copy will be provided to you. By replying to this e-mail or opening any attachment you agree to be bound by the provisions of the disclaimer.
We have just been notified by the City of Cape Town that there will be an EFF gathering at the Library on the corner of Tokai Road and Forest Road, Tokai from 10:00-12:00 today Thursday 10th June.
The letter of permission is attached for information/reference.
WTH!!!
We are sad to hear that the Constantia Post Office will be closing permanently as of Saturday 5th June. Your nearest post office will now be Plumstead, we have listed the opening hours for this branch in the images below.
Good question ?
What will be next ......
Our nephew sent us a letter and card from the UK in October and it arrived 2 weeks ago! No wonder they are closing!!!!
Soon it won't matter: the whole country will close down.
The smart decision makers will move the boxes to Sea Point
So wonderful at such short notice. Where will the l Mail from the boxes be found and the want to deliver small kg packages ha ha
What happens to the P O Boxes in Constantia
It might be a tad wet tomorrow but let's still try and support local markets!🤩See you this Saturday!
🥙Delicious foods, Stunning Crafts, Beautiful Clothes and so much more.
😁Bring the kids (kiddies corner with some brand new goodies), bring the 🐾furries, they love it!
10am - 3pm
#underthetreesmarket
#supportlocal
CALL FOR City of Cape Town TO TAKE ACTION TO AVOID FLOODING IN KLAASENBOSCH GREENBELT
This is an email sent from Colin Walker, Chairman of Friends of Constantia Valley Greenbelts, to the City:
"Good Afternoon All
Below is a long email trail to testify to the regular cautions and updates that I have sent the responsible City authorities regarding the debris trap/ Weir at Oak Road on the Klaassenbosch Greenbelt. Apart from this email trail, I am informed that Cllr Brunette has been taken to the site for an inspection in early May. The matter of the blocked debris trap was again brought to her attention for action, at the last CRRA meeting in the second week of May 21. In spite of all of the above efforts to date ( since March 2021), we have had zero positive response nor even any acknowledgement that the cautions have been heeded and there is a plan of action to unblock the trap.
The pictures above are a sequence to show the progression of the flooding last week . Wednesday ( pic 1 and 2 ) before the rain started. Pic 3 on Friday 21 May at lunch. Pic 4 on Friday 21 May at 4pm, the flooding had risen another meter in 2 hours . Note that the log on the ground in pic 3 on the right hand side of the photo is now covered and the water is flooding the entire length of the weir wall. On Saturday morning the level had risen by another 1 meter and the water had begun to back fill the meadow so that the green area behind the line of yellow wood trees was now submerged. By this Monday morning the level was back to pic 3 level. Looked at from a different perspective ( pic 1), the water level currently resides at the top of the green circle drawn in on the photo. The whole trap is now submerged.
This whole flooding episode is inexcusable and not to be attributed to the sudden storm flooding resulting from Thursdays heavy rains. All the way from March to first week in May, a digger loader could easily have come along the bottom of the wall to within boom reach of the trap, to remove the build-up of logs, debris and mud/ sand . Since level 5 lockdown was lifted this trail has been very heavily used by public and horse riders who don’t always stick to the designated paths . As a result there has been excessive erosion of sand into the stream and hence because of no maintenance of the trap, the whole trap sump is now blocked.
This flooding will persist all winter and the levels will rise progressively as the period between rains is shortened because of winter rain cycle . After 5 months of being continually submerged, all the undergrowth will die back leaving us with a real mess to deal with when it eventually dries out next summer.
As FoCVGB we have a very good working relationship with the City in assisting them to maintain and manage the Constantia Greenbelts. FoCVGB self-funds these efforts and the various projects that we partner with the City. However the tardy response by the City to this issue , is just one example (also note the unacceptable rubbish and refuse build up on the streets ) of what is becoming increasingly obvious to the public eye . What is becoming increasingly and worryingly obvious in the City’s tardiness of response to basic issues, is the commitment/ ability of the City to manage a” world class city “. The constant press releases by the City are leading to increasing public scepticism, as the gap between talk and action ever appears to increase.
I trust that there will be a response from the relevant City Department as to when action will be taken on this problem of the debris trap at Oak Rd weir.
Regards
Colin Walker ( Chair FoCVGB)"
Shirley St Clair-Laing
I am sure that Liz Brunette is blameless here. I have had nothing but positive experiences with this Councillor whenever I had an issue. We can only hope that someone as dedicated and capable will come after her in October (when she steps down).
Hands off our park, residents tell City - Constantiaberg Bulletin
Hands off our park, residents tell City - Constantiaberg Bulletin
www.constantiabergbulletin.co.za
A Constantia community has been galvanised into action after learning of City plans to develop Nirvana Park. The large public open space is bordered by Constantia Village to the north. Lorraine Conway, who lives near the park, read about the proposed plan to develop half of it in the draft spatial d...What an honour to have such amazing people working in our valley! Thank you Constantia Valley Watches Association for all you do!Constantia Watch has an incredible team of security specialists who patrol our valley day and night. You will see them in their marked vehicles as well as patrolling on foot, often with KC our tracker dog. Over the next few weeks we will be introducing them to you on our Facebook page.
Please say hi and have a chat when you meet them anywhere in the valley.
Zayne Jaffer, 38, has been part of the Special Response Team for three years. Zayne says, “My passion is to serve and protect lives and this is why I am working in the SRT unit here in Constantia.”
Zayne loves the friendly residents of Constantia who are so appreciative of the work he and his colleagues do. He also enjoys working in such a well organised team who are part of arguably the best neighbourhood watch in South Africa. Zayne notes the large radio communications network we have in the valley is a huge advantage as it links all of the security providers as well as the police and law enforcement organisations.
“We have a great combined experience in our SRT with members having experience in both the military and police. We have also formed a phenomenal canine unit with KC, our Belgian Malinois tracker dog. KC has been trained to track human scent on and beyond crime scenes”, says Zayne. “It’s great fun working with KC. Even when I am having a bad day he makes me laugh. KC makes me grateful to be part of such a fantastic team.”
Zayne is highly qualified with many qualifications in the security industry including firearm competency, criminal law, defensive driving, dog handling and first aid.
Zayne was a Scout during his teen years and this taught him self-discipline as well as how important it is to appreciate every moment of your life. He was privileged to represent South Africa at the 19th World Scout Jamboree in Chile.
He is a devoted husband and father of four children.
Even though it's Wintery Outside, it's great to get out and support your local restaurants! And the HUGE fireplace at Simon's at Groot Constantia is sure to keep you warm!
#firstthursday #fireplace
CITY OF CAPE TOW
MEDIA RELEASE
City takes budget to the people
The City of Cape Town’s draft Budget for the 2021/22 financial year has been tabled for public participation and the City has extended the comment period until 03 May 2021. The City has hosted a number of area-based community meetings thus far, which give residents the chance to engage on the budget while ensuring that all Covid-19 safety precautions are in place. Read more below:
Photographs are available here: bit.do/fQu4U
Members of the public now have the opportunity to have their say, and to submit their comments to the City until 30 April 2021. Covid-19 has led to the City tweaking the way it engages with its residents in order to reduce risk and prevent the spread of Covid-19. Apart from communicating on the draft Budget via social media, telephone, WhatsApp, through mailers, media releases and the City’s website, a limited number of engagements at Subcouncil level and other forums are also being undertaken.
‘The City is making every effort to bring the draft budget to the people, residents and ratepayers as it is incredibly important that they scrutinise and comment on the budget, so that they can be a part of the City’s efforts in providing the best service to residents across the metro. We especially thank our ward and PR councillors for continuing to be our public and City ambassadors, and helping to inform our residents about City matters in an accurate, inclusive and responsible manner.
‘One of the highlights of this year’s budget is the proposed R3,4 billion available to help qualifying residents with rates and services relief. We also continue to do our best to protect residents and ratepayers as much as possible from rising costs, especially from Eskom’s massive price increase. This has resulted in extensive budget cuts. Most notably, some R460 million has been cut from staffing and contracting services, while safeguarding basic service provision as far as possible.
‘In addition, Water Management Device meter installations are proposed to be phased out. Registered indigent customers will be able to use a determined volume of water per month at no charge. Should they exceed this limit for two consecutive months, and not reduce usage despite warning notices, the property will be placed on a trickle-flow supply.
‘Looking ahead over the medium term, this Budget was prepared with the intention of keeping rates and service charges to the bare minimum to assist already struggling residents, communities and businesses,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Finance, Alderman Ian Neilson.
‘The City relies on residents to provide us with their inputs and insights on the draft budget. The City is an accountable and responsive government, and public inputs assists us to improve where required and keeps us on our toes. Once the public participation process is completed and the public’s input has been considered, it will then be taken to Council for debate and adoption in May 2021,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Management, Alderman Grant Twigg.
Public participation: comment by 03 May 2021
Covid-19 has an impact on the public participation process.
To view the Tabled Budget please visit: www.capetown.gov.za/budget or go to your nearest sub¬council office or library for a copy of the budget.
Community-based organisation (CBO) representatives may contact their subcouncil managers for further details on their respective area-based community meetings.
Written comments
By email: Budget.Comments@capetown.gov.za
Through your Ward Councillor / Subcouncil offices
Verbal inputs
Phone: 0800 212 176
For assistance to comment in English, Afrikaans or isiXhosa, please phone 0800 212 176
Visit www.capetown.gov.za/HaveYourSay for more information.
For more on the budget and tariffs, please visit www.capetown.gov.za/budget
Captions
Photo 1: Table View residents participate in their area-based community meeting.
Photo 2: Residents of Westridge, Mitchells Plain engage with the City on the draft Budget for the 2021/22 financial year.
Photo 3: Bonteheuwel residents attend their area based community meeting on the draft Budget.
End
Issued by: Media Office, City of Cape Town
Media enquiries: Alderman Ian Neilson, Mayoral Committee Member for Finance, City of Cape Town, Tel: 021 400 1306 or Cell: 083 306 6730, Email ian.neilson@capetown.gov.za (please always copy media.account@capetown.gov.za
A great initiative to Save the Beach huts.Where will you hang your Cliffy Brown canvas when you win our raffle which being drawn on April 27?
You will also be helping raise much needed funds to #saveourbeachhuts. We will begin work on the 2nd hut in the first week of May! More news to follow.
Buy your tickets now: beachhuts.org.za/donate-now/
Great fundraiser.
Deborah Goemans
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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.
