The foyer of the District Six Museum in Cape Town, which is looking for donations from the public to keep it going through the Covid-19 pandemic. (Photo: Suné Payne) NEWS | By Suné Payne | 8 September 2020 After more than five months of lockdown and no income, the District Six Museum in Cape Town…
Cape Town’s approach to homeless people is cruel and expensive
Homeless people in the now closed Strandfontein camp tried, in April 2020, to break down a fence in order to escape. (Photo: Ashraf Hendricks) NEWS | By Brett Herron | 1 September 2020 It would have been more affordable to offer people decent accommodation than the Strandfontein camp. First published by GroundUp. There are few…
Social Issues update – 1 September 2020 Spring day 🌱 & full moon 🌕
Following a successful homeless feeding program run over Lockdown the Obs community gathered on the 12 of August for a town hall meeting with a difference – on zoom! Over 60 people attended to learn more about active citizens and organizations who have been on the ground doing the good work this lockdown. Members of…
Disruption of electricity supply near Scott Rd in Feb caused by builders
On Feb 21st, a contractor involved in the construction of the five story development at 289 Lower Main tore up underground electricity cables in Scott Road which disrupted power to a large part of north Observatory for about 12 hours. Despite repeated requests to our councillor and various officials, we were unable to obtain a…
SERI Protecting housing and home in South Africa
a Word from our chair – Response to the ruling on the river club development
Dear OCA members As we pointed out in our last newsletter, the provincial Department of Environmental Affairs and Economic Development (DEADP) issued an Environmental Authorisation under the National Environmental Management Act for the proposed re-development of the River Club. It is an understatement to say we do not believe the Environmental Authorisation is justified. The…
Architecture & Heritage August Report
A&H has had a busy lockdown- despite the recession, developers are keen to take advantage of reduced property prices and desperate architects. Here’s some news about what big developments are on the horizon and also an update on the ‘backpackers’ at 289 Lower Main Road. 1.Is your professional who they say they are? We have…
a Word from our Chair – Willow Arts Collective
Dear OCA members I am writing to update you on the matter of the proposal for Eco-Garden and Recreation Centre at the Willow Street site of the old circus, a matter which has evoked a lot of strong opinions, often based on lack of information or misinformation, from all quarters. In our 5 August Newsletter,…
The proposed change to the delimitation of Ward 57 boundaries
The OCA was notified by the City that there are proposed changes to the boundaries of Ward 57 which are relevant for future voting. Members of the public have been given an opportunity to object if they wish. Councillor Chapple told us that our Ward 57 is to lose Voting District 97090544 (Bishops Prep voting…
INVITATION TO AN OCA TOWN HALL MEETING
Towards a Human Response in a time of crisis: Observatory considers its response to the human need of the epidemic. Hosted by the Observatory Civic Association. The Observatory Civic Association invites you to – learn more about the homeless in Observatory, – find out what’s happening on street level by active citizens and organizations, – share how…