An increase in criminal activity, dumping and anti-social behaviour in Wynberg East were among the challenges in the neighbourhood identified and shared by the Wynberg East Civic Association (Weca) during its annual general meeting (AGM) earlier this month.
On Saturday 21 May, Judy Ferdenando, the outgoing chair of Weca, informed residents who had gathered at the Wynberg Civic Centre for the meeting that, after having been of service to the community for four years in this role, this would be her last report.
She is relocating to Edgemead.
“Despite a lack of resources, Weca Exco members have contributed their time and resources where necessary,” she said.
The two-year national state of disaster and related economic impact has led to an unprecedented level of homelessness in the city – with many people sleeping in public places, including sidewalks, parks, road reserves, and under bridges. Wynberg East too has seen an increase in street people occupying public open spaces and Prasa-owned land.
Ferdenando said Weca had continuously engaged with the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) and the City of Cape Town over the unsanitary conditions prevalent at these occupied sites, asking for urgent intervention by Prasa and the City (“Clean up ‘holy mess’”, People’s Post, 13 April 2021).
“Carmen Siebritz, since her appointment as the Ward 63 councillor, has been working hard to get these areas clean, but a long-term solution is needed. This affects the neighbourhood’s property value. Security clusters and Weca should work together, as working in silos is not helpful,” she said.
The number of problem buildings in the neighbourhood was also a matter of concern and required immediate attention.
“The issue of absentee landlords has allowed the illegal occupation of (homeless) and tenants. The City should take a more proactive stance and exercise its legal rights to attach these buildings, especially as these properties have attracted huge arrears in municipal rates. This will send a strong message to absentee landlords.”
Listing the civic association’s achievements in the past year, Ferdenando shared that Weca had effectively managed a WhatsApp group that facilitated an additional platform for Ward 63 councillor nominees to campaign for the 2021 local government elections.
The ongoing upgrade of Batts Road Park, an upliftment project initiated by Weca two years ago (“On track for upliftment”, People’s Post), was another win for the community. Bins and swings were added to the park recently, but due to a lack of funds, the planned mural project could not be completed.
On the heritage front, Weca is still in the process of engaging with Heritage Western Cape (HWC) to have the old Palmerston School in 18 Hayes Road declared as a Provincial Heritage Site (PHS).
Weca Exco member Yunus Karriem said that it was the recommendation of the Inventories, Grading and Interpretation Committee (IGIC), a subcommittee of the HWC Council that reviews and recommends sites worthy of Provincial heritage status, that the site met the requirements of a PHS. “The matter is still, however, under review by the HWC Council who asked for additional information. The HWC Council will make a final decision at their August meeting,” said Karriem.
He added that Weca had also reviewed and signed off various heritage applications and building plans in its capacity as the HWC registered conservation body in the past year.
The AGM also included the nomination and election of a new Exco.
The new members are Yunus Karriem, chair; Ebrahim Abrahams, vice-chair; Ahmad Solomon, treasurer; Muneerah Karriem, secretary; Raighanah Sadien, assistant secretary; Achmat Salie, project coordinator as well as Maahier Karriem, and Moenier Allie.
Ferdenando wished the newly elected officials strength and perseverance.
