Cape Town - Observatory residents have been invited to attend a community town hall meeting over the weekend to discuss issues affecting them.
The meeting will take place at the Observatory Community Centre from 9am to 12pm on Saturday.
Kimon Bisogno of the Observatory Civic Association for Social Issues said: “The meeting is to create a safe platform for all members of our community to learn more about street-based persons living in Observatory and to create positive dialogue together to make the observatory a safer place for all.”
Meanwhile, the Bo-Kaap Civic and Ratepayers Association (BCRA) held a public meeting on Wednesday night at the Bo-Kaap Civic Centre.
BCRA chairperson Osman Shabodien said the purpose was to introduce the ward councillor candidates to the community and for residents to ask questions on issues such as land and affordable and social housing.
“Other issues that also arose were high rates, the Athaan (call to prayer), traffic and tourism,” said Shabodien.
ANC ward 77 councillor candidate Jacky Poking and DA candidate Francine Higham were in attendance.
Poking said public land in Bo-Kaap was looked at to address the issue of overcrowding and the need for social affordable housing.
“A resolution was taken and I know that the residents will keep us accountable. A land and housing trust is to be formed to look at addressing housing needs for Bo-Kaap and to work together with the City and councillor, and to fight for housing and land for the people of Bo-Kaap,” said Poking.
Ward 77 includes Tamboerskloof, Vredehoek, Oranjezicht, Signal Hill, Schotschekloof, Bo-Kaap and parts of Gardens.
“The meeting gave those in attendance the opportunity to hear from each of the candidates standing for councillor in ward 77 in the upcoming election. It was a great opportunity to introduce myself to the community, to hear their concerns and provide feedback on the matters raised, and I look forward to future engagements so that we can continue to work together to get things done in ward 77,” said Higham.
Residents have also been invited by the City to a walkabout in Bo-Kaap on Saturday from 9.30am to 11am, as part of engagements about the draft local neighbourhood plan or local spatial development framework (LSDF) for the area.
The draft LSDF is available for public comment until October 31.
Residents and interested parties are to meet City officials at the Schotschekloof Civic Centre in Yusuf Drive in the Bo-Kaap.
Comments can be submitted on the City’s website or via email at [email protected]