An interim steering committee of the Pelican Park Residents’ and Ratepayers’ Association (PPRRA) was formed last week in an attempt to revive the civic organisation.
This was after former members had resigned and a few had died.
The election of the new committee was held at Pelican Park Primary School, on Saturday February 17.
The meeting was addressed by special guest Western Cape Premier Helen Zille, who spoke about saving water.
Other guests such as ward councillor Gerry Gordon as well as PR councillor Siva Moodley, were invited to answer questions about issues faced in the community. A pertinent question regarded rumours about a proposed new housing development to be built on the property opposite Pelican Park.
One resident said the construction of a new development would affect residents.
She said during the building of New Horizon, Pelican Park residents had to endure lots of dust in the air which affected the children attending the school during the day.
She said their eyes were red and some experienced nose bleeds.
She said when the bushes and trees were cleared to make way for housing, snakes started coming into their homes. She said the City of Cape Town should take this into account before they start a new development.
Ms Gordon responded. “I can confirm that there was a new housing development on the cards called Pelican Park Phase 2. There will be not be a lot of RDP houses such as BNG, gap houses, etc. There will be public participation before a decision is made.”
Another question involved crime in the area, including robberies and the safety of children.
Pelican Park Neighbourhood Watch chairperson Alie Enous responded: “Although it is not our duty, we assist in fighting crime and we are looking at alternatives such as to recruit people who can assist in patrolling the bus stops for example.”
Tammy Daniel, who initiated the meeting, said due to pertinent issues in the community, the PPRRA was needed to table the community’s issues. “Committee members, as well as current proportional representative (PR) councillor Siva Moodley and many others who are not listed and who served previously on the association are also to be applauded for work well done.”
She said the interim chairperson, Yaseen Meyer, also served as the chairperson of the Grassy Park Community Police Forum (CPF) and served on the Greater Cape Town Civic Alliance.
Ms Zille said she was glad that the Pelican Park residents had invited her to the formation of the PPRRA.
She also highlighted the importance of saving water. She said the community should be “mindful” of using water. She also pointed out that extreme climate change leads to natural disasters. She said the saving water campaign had made a difference. “Eighteen months ago we were using 1.2 billion litres a day and we are now using over 400 million litres a day.”
She said people should treat the water issue like the electricity shortages which took place a few years ago and said that any area-based problems can be addressed to the PPRRA, which in turn would present it to the City of Cape Town.
The next meeting of the PPRRA committee will be confirmed.
