Thousands of supporters want to make the Liesbeek Matter! This was quite a week. Not only did the ANC suspend its secretary-general, and the US president did a flip to support the global call for a waiver of Intellectual Property Protection for COVID-19 vaccines, but the numbers of supporters of our cause has rocketed since…
OCA’s open letter to McKenzie Scott – former wife of Jeff Bezos and the third richest woman in the world with a net worth of $53 billion 04 May 2021
Dear Ms Mckenzie Scott I write to you as the chair of the Observatory Civic Association, a small community civic in Cape Town, South Africa that prides itself on active citizenry towards civic democracy. Our Civic, which has a long history of community activism, is currently partnered with more than60 First Nation Khoi Indigenous organisations,…
The River Club development: What is really at stake?
By Leslie London Leslie London is chairperson of the Observatory Civic Association. He has been a human rights activist in the health sector for many years and has become involved in civic democracy, more recently helping to found, with other civic activists, the network of Civic Action for Public Participation (CAPP), which is committed to…
When it flows, it floods
By Tauriq Jenkins Tauriq Jenkins is Supreme High Commissioner for the Goringhaicona Khoi Khoin Traditional Indigenous Council under Paramount Chief Aran In 1996, the Khoi and San were not part of the Constitution. Then President Thabo Mbeki’s “I am an African” speech, with the founding of South Africa’s Constitution, would remain in its nascent stage…
786 Radio interview on the River Club development
Click HERE to Listen
Is South Africa ready for the Amazon effect?
The announcement that Amazon will set up South African headquarters in an R4 billion Cape Town development was met with excitement and concern. Picture: Abhishek N. Chinnappa/Reuters NEWS | By Wesley Diphoko | May 2, 2021 The announcement that Amazon will set up South African headquarters in an R4 billion Cape Town development was met with excitement and concern….
Cape housing activists reject R4bn River Club development.
[LISTEN] Ndifuna Ukwazi’s attorney Jonty Cogger speaks to Stephen Grootes regarding the R4 billion River Club development given a go-ahead after being approved for development by the Liesbeek Leisure Properties Trust. LISTEN HERE
’This land is sacred’: Cape Town authorities slammed for approving River Club development
A commemorative plaque, which was vandalised eight months ago, was restored during a march against the River Club development on Tuesday. Picture: Phando Jikelo/African News Agency (ANA) NEWS | By Francesca Villette | Apr 28, 2021 Cape Town – The City of Cape Town and the Western Cape provincial government have come under fierce attack for “supporting”, through…
Comments from the Observatory Civic Association in response to the call for comments and suggestions for the review of the MPBL
The MPBL and its processes. The City has twice previously amended the Municipal Planning bylaw, in November 2015 and in March 2019. On both occasions, the Bylaw amendments were copious (58 amendments in 2015 and 87 amendments in 2019) but communities were only given one month to comment on both occasions. The OCA and other…
Defend Cape Town Water – Protect our Floodplain
It would mean the world to us if you could also add your name to this important issue. Every name that is added builds momentum around the campaign and makes it more likely for us to get the change we want to see. Will you join us by taking action on this campaign? CLICK HERE…