Barbara Rass has long been very actively involved in Atlantis community affairs. When she stood for the DA in a previously ANC ward, she convincingly beat her ANC opponent.
She ramains active. She recently involved Lennit Max, Western Cape Provincial Minister of Safety and Security, in a graffiti clean up.
Even in the ANC stronghold Barbara has many supporters
For many, this soup kitchen is truly a lifesaver
I serve on the Two Rivers Urban Park as a Councillor for the City of Cape Town. The original proposal for this Urban Park was done in 2003.
The area defined as the Two Rivers Urban Park, located at the confluence of the Black and Liesbeek Rivers, is a special and unique place in Cape Town. The area comprising of sensitive ecological systems and habitats, extensive open space areas, significant institutions, historical buildings and cultural landscapes, provides an ideal space for the creation of a park that fulfils a variety of human and ecological needs and responds creatively to this quality environment.
The Urban Park covers the area at the east side of Table Mountain where Jan van Riebeeck laid out allotments, on the banks of the Liesbeeck river, for the first Free burgers in February 1657. It therefore has a very rich cultural history.
The SA Astronomical Observatory was built in 1827. The Valkenberg Homestead, now the Courtyard Hotel, was built in 1830. The Valkenberg Hospital was built in 1899.
The Urban Park also includes various Sports facilities for Cricket, Football, Hockey, Bowls, Swimming and Tennis. The SA Circus School facility also falls into the Urban Park.
Within our city there is an urgent need to protect and rehabilitate ecological systems and to encourage mutually beneficial relationships between people and the natural environment. This is recognised as critical to the sustainable development of the city, and hence is a central concern of local government. The area identified as the proposed Two Rivers Urban Park offers an exciting opportunity to address these needs. However, current institutional limitations and budgetary constraints mean that investing considerable financial and human resources in the development and maintenance of parks in the order of Kirstenbosch or the Company Gardens, is unsustainable. Within such limitations and inspired by the idea of the Urban Park, there are considerable opportunities for a proactive and creative approach towards honoring this responsibility. Such an approach has guided the formulation of this Spatial Development Framework and Environmental Development Plan.
Progress has been slow and was hampered in recent years by poor co-operation between the Province and the City. A parcel of land in the Urban Park was part of the land “transferred” by ANC Provincial Government to National Government on the eve of the 2009 National Election. Helen Zille as Premier has fought this land transfer tooth and nail since the DA took over the Provincial Government and we were pleased to hear recently that the transfer did not actually take place. This will facilitate the plans of the Two Rivers Urban Park (TRUP) Committee which meets monthly to promote the development of the Park. The Committee comprises environmentalists, historians, civics associations, and representatives of the various stakeholders.
Stakeholders in the Urban Park include the City of Cape Town, Provincial Government of the Western Cape, the South African Astronomical Observatory, Valkenberg Hospital, Alexandra Institution, Vincent Pallotti Hospital and the Black River Business Park. The Committee is in the process of planning an Environment Centre and is keen to attract the Science Centre to the Park. There are also attempts underway to attract the Data Centre for the Square Kilometer Array Telescope to the Park.
Provincial Government is in the process of completing the Non Motorised Transport lane which runs through the Urban Park and is already in use. The communities of Athlone Rondebosch and Observatory are already making us of this wonderful facility.
Councillor Rose Rau
On Saturday 23rd January 2010, the first test drive of the Cape Town Stadium was held. Attendance was limited to 20 000 spectators and featured a local derby soccer match between Ajax and Santos. The match ended in a draw folowed by a penalty shoot out. The second dry run featured a rugby match between Boland Cavaliers and the Stormers, which was attended by 40 000 fans.
Both events went off smoothly, although there were issues that need correction, such as improving the clarity of the public address system. I must say that the vuvezelas sound better in real life than on TV, but it is still quite an adjustment. It does add to the atmosphere though.
The third test will see 65 000 people packing the stadium for a religeous gathering. Getting to and from the venue will be really tested!
This view of Kalk Bay harbour illustrates the power of Cape Town storms, as well as the craziness of man.