We are facing a crucial juncture for the future of our beloved Oude Molen Eco Village in Cape Town, which represents a significant part of the city’s green lung. A proposed large-scale development threatens to disrupt the eco-village life. This massive development not only threatens the unique aesthetic charm of our village but also the sustainable…
The Battle over Oude Molen and the meaning of heritage in South Africa
By SAALIEGAH ZARDAD The fight over Oude Molen is more than a land-use dispute. It is a struggle over living heritage, memory and who gets to define belonging in post-apartheid South Africa. This month, in our ‘Decolonial Heritage Reflections and Dialogues’, we introduce a new voice to our conversation on heritage. Saaliegah Zardad is…
Heritage in South Africa Since 1994: Civil Society at the Frontline
Article Author/s: Kathy Munro Disclaimer: Any views expressed by individuals and organisations are their own and do not in any way represent the views of The Heritage Portal. If you find any mistakes or historical inaccuracies, please contact the editor. Since 1994, South Africa has embraced an inclusive and democratic definition of heritage, yet the…
Cape Town community pools to reopen on weekdays after public outcry
Genevieve Serra The City of Cape Town has heeded the call by Civic organisations and ratepayers to reopen community pools which are closed during weekdays and open on weekends. The group penned an urgent letter to the City and began a petition calling for it to be reopened. In response, Mayco Member for Community Services…
Help us track Cape Town’s housing crisis
The Bo-Kaap area in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo: Supplied) By Daily Maverick Connect – 27 Jan 2026 Capetonians: Daily Maverick needs your help! Head to Daily Maverick Connect to help Rebecca Davis quantify the city’s affordability crisis. We’re looking for documentation from the last 10 years to compare with today’s costs. It feels like…
Why people believe misinformation even when they’re told the facts [The Conversation UK]
![Why people believe misinformation even when they’re told the facts [The Conversation UK]](https://obs.org.za/cms/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/94ec6d15-8c98-c6a2-4fc0-ad2f02918711-1024x683.png)
Photo by Wesley Tingey on Unsplash From The Conversation: When you spot false or misleading information online, or in a family group chat, how do you respond? For many people, their first impulse is to factcheck – reply with statistics, make a debunking post on social media or point people towards trustworthy sources. Factchecking is…
Support Smallholder Farmers
A fond farewell (from UCT) to prof of the people
Prof Leslie London (centre) with Assoc Prof Tracey Naledi (front left), Colette Solomon (back left), Assoc Prof Lionel Green-Thompson (front right) and Prof Susan Cleary (back right) At the end of December, Professor Leslie London will draw the curtain on an illustrious, multi-decade career as an academic and social justice advocate. His name goes down…
Farewell, Number Five
Our old house burnt down and a man died. We moved to 5 Alfred Street, Observatory in 1987, when I was 16. Just over a week ago, at around 1.30am on Friday 28 November, Number Five was reported as being on fire. By 5am the fire had been put out. Three of the residents escaped…
DEVELOPMENT IN OBSERVATORY: GETTING THE BALANCE RIGHT
A Report Prepared for the Observatory Civic Association on the Housing Stock and Impact of Short-Term Rentals on Community Cohesiveness, Heritage and Affordability. This report was prepared for the Observatory Civic Association (OCA) in partnership with the University of Cape Town’s Knowledge Co-op to examine the housing stock of Observatory and assess the impact of…