Portland and Rocklands residents have combined forces to take up economic opportunities along the coastline and bring development to their community.
They were called to a meeting by Danny Christians, councillor for Ward 79, to establish a civic body at Rocklands civic centre on Monday July 18.
Within 67 minutes Mr Christians emphasised the need for civic involvement to ensure development and economic opportunities for the people of Mitchell’s Plain, and an executive committee was elected.
They were called to serve, to ensure input into the City of Cape Town’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and to use the budget optimally for the benefit of residents and ratepayers in Ward 79.
A number of projects are in the pipeline, among them the Kapteinsklip / Mnandi development and plans for further residential opportunities.
Chairman Jerome September, who is a City official and a Portland resident, said often his social and work lives overlapped.
He has an interest in sports and has been serving the Mitchell’s Plain community, contributing to soup kitchens and being involved with youth development for the past 18 years.
“There are a lot of challenges in our ward. There is poverty, and substance abuse is a major concern. I’ve also been working behind the scenes on safety and security structures.
“I’ve been lobbying for funding for the community in my spare time and joined hands with social development,” he said.
Mr September is a people and conservation officer for the City and manages Wolfgat Nature Reserve Environmental Education Centre, in Tafelsig.
Portland resident Danny Rass, chairman of the Mitchell’s Plain People’s Forum and representative of Mitchell’s Plain United Residents’ Association, declined the nomination of chairman, but said he would be willing to serve as a co-opted member.
For more information call Mr Christians on 084 411 1166.