Pooch owners push for access to Herzlia Sports Ground

A victory has been reached for residents after the City of Cape Town announced that a public participation process begins today on the proposed amendment to the ten-year lease agreement of Herzlia Sports Ground following an uproar due to its set closure to the public.

A copy of the circulation memorandum by the sub-council, dated February 18 was shared with the Cape Argus. It states: “Notice is hereby given that the City of Cape Town has received a request from the lessee of the Herzlia Sports Ground for the amendment of certain conditions contained in the existing lease agreement.” A notice was placed informing the public that the facility will no longer be available to the public from March 1.

"Subsequently, various enquiries have been received, resulting in the Department commencing a public participation process on Friday, February 20, to invite comments from all interested and affected parties. “The public participation process will run for a period of 30 days, to allow sufficient time for the submission of comments.”

Brent Moore, a resident speaking on behalf of the community, said the city’s decision for the public participation process shows that they have responded to their outcry and that it was all about "dog litter": “It is comforting that the City, after an overwhelming outcry of complaints from residents and ratepayers, has decided to heed the public's voice and follow its own processes. It should raise broader community concern, because if a precedent is established in this field…what's next…will COCT close the promenade and our beaches because of “dog litter”?

Councillor Facine Higham, Mayco Member for Community Services and Health and the councillor for ward 77, confirmed that the city entered into a ten-year lease period with the school, which ends in 2030: “Following the required process in terms of the Municipal Asset Transfer Regulations (MATR), the City entered into a 10-year social lease with the lessee, expiring in February 2030. This is a standard City arrangement applied across many community facilities, where a nominal rental is charged and the lessee assumes full responsibility for maintenance, operational management, safety compliance, and associated costs."

Higham explained that due to damages, the City was forced to make the decision as the cost became the responsibility of the lease holder.

“Over time, public use of the field increased substantially, including dog walking and recreational activity during organised sports practices and matches. While community use of public spaces is important, this unfortunately resulted in repeated damage to the playing surface, safety risks to users and staff, and disruptions to scheduled school sport," she said.

"Based on these operational and safety considerations, and with support from the City’s Recreation and Parks Department, access restrictions were being implemented. 

“At the same time, I recognise and respect residents’ concerns about maintaining opportunities for recreational walking and running. I have requested that the City’s Property Transactions Department engage with Herzlia School to explore options for managed public access during periods when the field is not required for organised sport, similar to arrangements at other City facilities.”

She called on the community to be part of the public participation process and confirmed its existence.

"It is important to note that a formal public participation process will open on February 20, 2026 for a period of 30 days to gather community input on future access and usage arrangements," she said.

"The official notice and submission details will be circulated once the advertisement has been published.

"I encourage all residents to participate constructively in this process so that we can work toward a balanced solution that protects the facility while responding to community needs."

The City diverted their response with Higham's statement.

Earlier this week, the founder of STOP City of Cape Town (Stop COCT), Sandra Dickson, said the city’s decision was a “scapegoat” for its own negligence and disrupted the school's programme.

In response to the reactions by residents, United Herzlia School (UHS), Andries van Renssen (Executive Director, UHS) said they referred the matter to the City.

The City said repeated damage from dogs (digging, defecation, irrigation damage) and safety concerns as the reason for its decision.

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