CONSTANTIA | WYNBERG
Whatnot Shoes
Man
Checkers Centre Plumstead
www.thewhatnotshoes.co.za Telephone: 021 761 1750
“Sports Shoe” genuine leather
R 929.--
TUESDAY 29 October 2019 | Tel: 021 910 6500 | Email: post@peoplespost.co.za | Website: www.peoplespost.co.za
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People’s Post
Kites colour sky The kite creations, at the 25th Cape Town International Kite Festival held on the weekend at the Zandvlei Nature Reserve, held both the young and old transfixed with wonder. The event host and beneficiary, non-profit organisation Cape Mental Health, this year focused on suicide awareness and prevention with the theme Let Hope Fly. See full story on page 8. PHOTO: NETTALIE VILJOEN
WYNBERG
Urban renewal nearing NETTALIE VILJOEN
T
he process to appoint a Wynberg business precinct manager, the next step in implementing the Mayor’s Urban Renewal Project (MURP) in Wynberg West, has begun. The successful applicant will have to manage the informal trading around the public transport interchange (PTI) and also make sure that all bylaws in the area are respected, Elizabeth (Liz) Brunette, councillor for ward 62, said at the bi-monthly ward committee meeting held on Monday 7 October. “A very special person is needed to do this job,” Brunette said. Mayor Dan Plato declared the area part of MURP shortly after he conducted a walk-
about through Wynberg CBD, organised by Brunette. According to a report published on the Wynberg Residents and Ratepayers Association’s (WRRA) website, Plato was appalled at the state of the CBD, which he inspected on Thursday 23 May. He was accompanied by Brunette, officials from the City, representatives of the WRRA, Wynberg Watch and the Wynberg Improvement District (WID), Mayco member for safety and security, JP Smith, and Mayco member for transport, Felicity Purchase. Joan van Zyl wrote on WRRA’s website that both Plato and Smith described the area between Main Road and the railway as one of the worst CBDs in Cape Town. Smith was also concerned about how betting shops
were seemingly flourishing in the area. “This is caused by general urban collapse, exacerbated by illegal trading and taxi congestion in the area,” the report read. The MURP was established on 7 August. Brunette said it has a R4 million operational budget and a R2 million capital budget. “Repeated requests for law enforcement officers at the Wynberg PTI and in the CBD will be funded from the operational budget, and capital upgrades will be identified for implementation this financial year,” she said. It is hoped MURP will be a turning point for Wynberg. “Years of despair at the downward spiral that affected the Wynberg business district are being turned around with the help of ac-
tive citizen groups, residents, business owners, the Wynberg Improvement District board, and cooperation and support from the City’s service departments and the police in Wynberg,” said Brunette. The MURP and its Area Coordination Team (ACT) is managed by the Subcouncil 20 manager, Richard White. The ACT met for the first time in August to identify problems and develop a high-level project plan. Brunette explained that a business precinct management plan had been undertaken in 2017 and that the report had been incorporated into the MURP action plan. She said the Wynberg business precinct manager position would be advertised in the press. V Continued on page 2.