Cllr Mandy Marr, WARD 45

*TIME TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT*

CITY OF CAPE TOWN

10 JANUARY 2024

MEDIA STATEMENT BY THE MAYORAL COMMITTEE MEMBER FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY, ALDERMAN JP SMITH

City laws enable public art and murals

The City of Cape Town encourages the public to use the available permit processes for public art and murals. The City has enabling laws for freedom of expression by way of mural or art installation.

The issue of public art and murals has been in the spotlight recently, amid the installation of various murals.

There have been instances where Law Enforcement has been unfairly criticised and the City’s regulations around public art misrepresented.

It is important to set the record straight.

Cape Town’s Graffiti by-law was introduced in 2009.

Any person who wishes to erect a mural or any form of graffiti must apply for permission from the City’s Department of Arts and Culture, as outlined in the Graffiti by-law: http://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Bylaws%20and%20policies/Graffiti%20By-law%202010.pdf

There are many works of art in various parts of our city to prove that the process works, 31 murals have been approved across the City since May 2023.

Where murals have been found to be unsanctioned, engagement with community members have taken place to explain the processes and guide them on how to regularise these installations. The City is duty-bound to respond to complaints from the public about potential by-law transgressions.

It is important to note that, even where the installation is on private property, an application is still required.

The Graffiti Unit responds to public complaints about illegal graffiti, tagging and gang slogans across the metropole.

Between January and September 2022, the unit removed 17 283 square metres of graffiti.

During the same period in 2023, they removed 24 076 square metres of graffiti.

The unit focuses mainly on City-owned buildings, as, in terms of the by-law, private property owners are responsible for clearing graffiti on their property.

The City removes graffiti daily when there is no permission granted by the owner of the asset on public property (such as roads, housing, etc.) and when no permission has been issued by Arts & Culture.

The City of Cape Town’s regulations enable freedom of expression where people wish to paint a mural to show their support for a cause. The permitting process further ensures the sustainable management of public buildings and places for all.

End

Issued by: Media Office, City of Cape Town

Media enquiries: Alderman JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, City of Cape Town, Tel: 021 400 1311 or Cell: 083 675 3780, Email: [email protected] (please always copy [email protected])

Our play equipment in Vrygrond was repaired and painted today. Looking brand new 👏

Aunt pleading for girl to come home The family of a missing teenager from Seawinds is pleading with people to keep an eye out and make contact should they spot her.

Evening All
*The following Thursday backlog beats will be prioritize tomorrow*
* Southfield
* Parkwoodk
* Lavender Hill - Montagu Village/Hillview.
* Wynberg
* Ottery
* Steenberg
* Retreat
* Schaapkraal farms
* Westridge
* New Woodlands
* Woodlands
* Lentegeur
* Vrygrond
* Seawinds

*Deep South Beats for Friday*
* Sun Valley
* Ocean View
* Fish Hoek
* Glencairn Heights
* Ocean View
* Masiphumelele
* Green living Estate
* Stonehaven

*Friday beats to be prioritize over the weekend.*
* Upper Wynberg
* Wynberg
* Plumstead
* Heathfield/Elfindale
* Steenberg
* Retreat
* Fairways
* Ottery/ Wetton
* Muizenberg
* Costa da Gama
* Diep River
* Strandfontein
* Bayview
* Portlands
* Westridge
* Rocklands
* Eastridge

**Deep South- Friday* will stand over to Saturday
*Fish Hoek
* Noordhoek
* Milkwood Park
* Sunnydale West
* Chapman's Bay Estate

If anything changes, we will update on Friday

Seawinds, Hillview and Vrygrond are at risk of non-collection today.

Please leave bins out until 21:00. If not serviced, please take them in and put them out again tomorrow morning.

To our firefighters and volunteer firefighters, words cannot begin to express our gratitude as the City for the work you do to keep us all safe in the event of fire emergencies.

Today, we salute you for serving us during the festive season and beyond.

Happy new year everyone. Wishing you a year filled with happiness, love and prosperity.

What a year this has been in Ward 45. We will always reflect on 2023 as a time when the strength and determination of ordinary men & women from our community and the workable partnerships formed with all other relevant agencies ensured a better, brighter, safer ward.

In general, the challenges we have faced in our ward have been addressed with different degrees of success, but always involving a wide range of role players. Some of the service-related issues in the ward have been easily remedied and have been of short duration whilst others take longer to resolve because they are more deeply embedded and are the consequences of broader socio-economic circumstances.

Through open and honest dialogue and collaboration involving municipal departments, community organisations, Law Enforcement Agencies and other interested parties, we have prevailed.

We have so many other challenges and ward dynamics compared to many other wards, and we maintain a good record of finding solutions to our problems. It is therefore important to acknowledge all the residents and community leaders in the ward, NGOs, CBOs, City Officials and all other agencies who contributed in different ways to making Ward 45 a better, brighter and safer place.

I wish you all a peaceful and happy festive season and look forward to what 2024 has in store for us.

A huge thank you to Pastor Gareth, Pastor Enne and Apostle Natalie for opening up their Church as a base for disaster relief for the Hillview fire victims over the last week. Their hearts are truly with the community.

I'd also like to thank the community leaders including Aysha, Charmaine and Cllr Nadia for working tirelessly on the ground every day.

Some people are starting to rebuild. Unfortunately many do not have materials to build with. We appeal to National government to provide fire relief starter kits to the fire victims, and will continue to engage with them on this issue.

Rest in peace, Helen. Your absence is felt. We will miss you.

Seawinds Bin Collection:

Due to a backlog, please keep bins out until 9pm today. If no collection please take your bins in and take them out at 6am tomorrow morning.

Thank you Lucinda Evans Philisa Abafazi Bethu SA for the much needed donations of sanitary items. We can always count on Lucinda and her team.

Donations of mattresses and blankets from Red Cross, and food parcels from Ashraful, amongst other donations.
The City has put up spotlights as there is still no electricity. They've also sorted out the water standpipes.

In times of tragedy, it's good to take a break for a chat and a laugh. It reminds us that despite the circumstances, we can stay positive and be thankful that we are alive and well. 🙏

So many fires. 😔

W Cape blazes: Firefighters stretched to limit, hundreds displaced Relentless firefighting continued for an eighth consecutive day in fierce southerly winds in hot spots around Cape Town, with hundreds of people living in informal settlements displaced after fires ripped through their home over the Christmas period.

There is a fire at the Coastal Landfill.
The fire department has assured me that no homes are in danger, and that they do have it under control.

The support for the Hillview Heights fire victims has been phenomenal. Amongst others, thank you Cllr Jonathan Mills for the donations of food and gas, Rochenda Kleinsmith from Mothers Unite for the food parcels, Mymoena Scholtz from Where Rainbows Meet Training and Development Foundation for the porridge and clothing and Alderman Siva Moodley for the clothing. Gift of the Givers have been out every day providing lunch and blankets.

🚩Disaster Risk Management Centre - Weather Warnings

The South African Weather Service has issued a warning of damaging winds from this afternoon into Tuesday, 26 December 2023.

The level 3 warning is in place for various parts of the province, including the metropole.

There is also a level 2 warning for damaging waves between Cape Point and port Nolloth from tomorrow, 25 December, into Tuesday.

All City services and relevant external agencies have been placed on standby, to deal with potential impacts from these warnings.

The City advises residents to please be alert – strong winds can damage roofs, uproot trees and affect power lines.

In the event of an emergency, please contact the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre on 021 480 7700 from a cellphone or 107 from a landline.

Pleased to see the arrest for extortion- a crime that is believed to be rife in the precinct but underreported.

"Entrepreneurship is vital for economic growth," emphasizes James Vos, the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth. He asserts, "Entrepreneurs bring fresh ideas, drive competition, and contribute significantly to GDP and wealth creation." Inspired by this vision, we invite you to take action. Join the movement by signing up for our free entrepreneurship course, empowering yourself to pursue your business dreams and contribute to the dynamic economic landscape of our city.

The highlight of a stressful week - thank you True North for this Certificate of Appreciation!

An excellent arrest in a volatile area. Thank you Sgt Vuyani Kondile and Const Asanda Dlakadla

I contacted Jerome from Tyrese Maintenance & Projects about Ouma Katherine in Vrygrond who had no electricity due to a fire at her house.

Jerome and his team went out immediately to sort out Ouma's wiring, at no cost.

A big thank you to Jerome for being a hero, and for giving back to the Vrygrond Community!