Khoi Community, Civic group want to STOP R4bn River Club Development

The Liesbeek Leisure Properties Trust wants to turn the River Club area in Observatory into an R4 billion mixed-use space.

CAPE TOWN – Various civic organizations and indigenous groups are at loggerheads with a property developer in the Western Cape.

The Liesbeek Leisure Properties Trust wants to turn the River Club area in Observatory into an R4 billion mixed-use space.

But the opposing groups want provincial heritage status for the broader area, called the Two Rivers Urban Park.

The Khoi Khoi Traditional Council’s Tauriq Jenkins said the area was steeped in history.

“We feel this extraordinary site is under severe threat of an R4 billion proposal. It’s asking for concrete in a precinct that was the place of the First Frontier War fought in 1659.”

Property developer Jody Aufrichtig said the project would not ignore the historical significance of the area but rather celebrate it.

“This is a development that will respectfully memorialize the historical significance of the area. We remain committed to working with all parties.”

Numerous environmental organizations are also opposing the development.