Community voices unite over Tafelberg site development plans

Various focus groups have met to discuss and fine-tune their submissions for their particular interests concerning the development of the Tafelberg school site in Sea Point.

The site at 353 Main Road has been vacant for 15 years and just five years ago the Western Cape Government’s Department of Infrastructure was mandated to develop a plan for spatial redress. 

Three focus group discussions were hosted in recent weeks since three conceptual plans were tabled on Saturday May 21.

The development scenarios include an open market and affordable and social housing, which interested parties can comment on.

The group discussions were hosted by the Department of Infrastructure and its appointed professional service provider team, including engineers, architects and urban planners from Zutari, who were flanked by specialist heritage advisors from Rennie, Scurr and Adendorff.

Rudolf Schroder, from Zutari, said the presentation shared with all interested parties on May 21 had not yet been adapted following the focus group discussions and feedback due from the public by Monday June 30.

It will be amended once all of the feedback has been captured.

Ndifuna Ukwazi (NU) researcher in urban planning, Jens Horber, addressed issues of safety and security with regards to the entry and exit points of proposed social housing opportunities. 

He said that certain apartments were on the main road with easy access from the outside. 

Nathan Adriaanse, director of public information and stakeholder relations for the Department of Infrastructure, who chaired the second focus group meeting, said the income of social housing, a state-subsidised, rental housing option, targeted at low-to-medium income households in South Africa, ranged from R1 850 and R22 000 per month.

Affordable housing in the province generally refers to housing options for households with a combined monthly income between R3 501 and R22 000, often described as the "gap market". 

Gordon Metz, a member of Sea Point Fresnaye Bantry Bay Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association said he was at the meeting to collect information, which he would canvass with members.

He emphasised that while residents and people living in Sea Point were directly impacted or affected, the area was of interest to all in Cape Town.

“It is an area that’s held dearly by all Capetonians. This is where they come on weekends. This is the road they walk down. This is where recreation and entertainment facilities are. It's by the beach. It is near the mountain,” he said.

Interested and affected parties are welcome to share their ideas, thoughts, and comments during the 30-day feedback period ending June 30 2025. These submissions can be made by using the survey link by emailing [email protected]

Cape Argus