- Simon’s Town’s Long Beach, once
in decline, has been revitalized through local council and resident efforts,
with upgraded facilities and vibrant sea life murals. - Professional mural artist Gillian
Waldeck created murals showcasing local sea life and trek fishing, enriching
the beach’s educational and aesthetic appeal. - The community, including local
children, contributed to the mural’s creation, ensuring the artwork is durable
and integrated with future workshops.
A “cherished seaside destination” that once looked run down and dilapidated has since been transformed and upgraded thanks to the efforts of the local council and residents in Simon’s Town.
Resident Richard Ganter explained how over several years City buildings, which included the ablution block at Long Beach, had deteriorated.
“Long Beach is a cherished seaside destination for locals and visitors alike,” he shared.
“However, over a five-to-10-year period buildings deteriorated, and the beachfront became less pleasant with grumbling brick walls and no public showers.”
After the buildings at the beachfront were upgraded with new walls and facilities, residents were given the green light to beautify the buildings with educational sea life mural themes.
“Before 2019, the building had a shower and then it was shut off and the community had to get it reconnected; with generous sponsorship from local residents the shower is functioning again,” said Ganter.
“A seaside kiosk provides important services for beach goers, chairs, shade, beverages and snacks. Now in the next phase, a professional mural painter Gillian Waldeck was hired to give the appearance of the buildings and environment a face lift.”
Ganter explained that the beach has become a popular destination once again.
“After Covid the beach became very popular again,” he said.
Referring to the murals on the ablution block, Ganter said the idea was to showcase local sea life and fishers as an educational element.
“There are educational aspects to show the sea life above and below the ocean,” he continued. “It shows the people using the ocean and depicts key ocean life such as whales, penguins, otters, local fish and divers from the area.”
Another component to the murals is showcasing trek fishing which is local to False Bay.
“It is the old-style trek fishing which takes place at only two spots in False Bay,” said Ganter.
“The pump station that was run down is now depicting a shipwreck on the walls as well as orcas, dolphins, wildlife and everything that is local to the area.”
Professional mural artist Gillian Waldeck, who has a background in fine art for galleries, decorators, illustrations, caricature, clothing and textiles, said she finds murals very rewarding in the way they engage with the public.
“I’ve been doing murals for about 10 years through commercial and residential spaces,” she shared.
“In a digital age there’s also a nostalgia for the warmth and originality that paint provides, so the encouragement here has been amazing. I’d like to thank everyone who created this opportunity.”
After Ganter joined forces with residents to apply for a City of Cape Town permit to paint murals on the City buildings, their shared vision is finally coming to life.
“It’s been wonderful to be able to be part of serving some cheer in creating this mural,” she shared. “I was approached by Richard Ganter, a philanthropist and resident in Simon’s Town who had been searching for an artist to uplift Long Beach in Simon’s Town.”
On Friday 21 February, local children joined in to bring their imagination to the mural wall.
“We have used flexi-paint favoured by contractors for durability and will be sealing the end result,” she said of the quality paints used.
“We will be following with environmental/painting workshops for kids around the mural where kids can add their signature to the work in progress.”
