Bo-Kaap residents and interested parties have until Friday 30 May to submit their comments on the land use application for the proposed redevelopment of the Strand Street Quarry site.
The Quarry, a National Heritage Site, is one of three quarries in the area and borders the historic Bo-Kaap and De Waterkant.
The proposal is to transform the site into a multi-use community precinct that integrates sports, culture, economic activities and tourism in a unique setting.
In 2023, the City initiated a due-diligence investigation and concept-design process for the Strand Street Quarry, in collaboration with a collective of community representatives.
Speaking to the newspaper at the time, Osman Shabodien, outgoing chair of the Bo-Kaap Civic and Ratepayers’ Association, said the site should be preserved for its rich history.
“It was the first quarry in South Africa. Those stones built the Castle of Good Hope. The respect we must show in our heritage and history is to recognise the history of that quarry without any reservation.
“The stones there are bloodied from slaves and everybody else.”
Eddie Andrews, Deputy Mayor and mayco member for spatial planning and the environment, said once fully developed the site must benefit the local communities and Capetonians generally.
“We have been collaborating with the local community and stakeholders since 2023 on a shared vision for this important site. I am elated to say we have now reached a pivotal moment where the land-use application for the proposed redevelopment is advertised in terms of the City’s municipal planning bylaw.”
Andrews said the application makes provision for phased implementation over time, and by different role-players.
He said the City and the other role-players were eager to receive input as part of this statutory process.
“When we started with the concept-design process for the Strand Street Quarry in March 2023 we made the commitment to build partnerships with the impacted communities, and to be inclusive.
“City officials asked these representatives what they need, how the Quarry site can be developed to meet these needs and how the collaboration will uplift the wider area and give hope.”
Andrews said the land-use application was based on the vision that was crafted in collaboration with the directly-affected communities, with the intention to deliver a fully-developed site that will benefit Capetonians for generations to come.
“I want to thank the civic associations, sports groups, community organisations and residents for the time set aside for the collaboration, and for the trust they put in us and this ongoing process.
“Obtaining public comment on the planning application is a crucial step in ongoing engagements to make this facility a reality.”
Zaki Harris, chair of the Bo-Kaap Tourism Association, said they did not feel that a tourism hub would protect or promote the history and heritage of the site.
“In fact, we feel it will undermine it. For 100 years or more, this has been a field used by the kids and youth of Bo-Kaap to play sports.
“With the lack of dedicated rugby or cricket fields in the area, the Quarry has always been the field that we go and play on when the game gets too big for the road.
“Developing this site to accommodate sports and be home for the community’s sporting culture is a much more respectful use of this heritage site.”
Harris said the association has been in numerous engagement meetings with the City regarding the proposed tourism hub at site.
“In each meeting we expressed our rejection of the plans citing reasons for our rejection and offering suggestions. We have also written emails to state our official case however this falls on deaf ears and seldom garners any type of feedback.”
