"We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right"
...Nelson Mandela
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Cape Care Trail:Trail of Two Cities. |
The Cape Care Route showcases some of the projects where people are caring for the environment and for each other. Initiated for the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development, this Trail of Two Cities celebrates the partnerships that bring prosperity to both planet and people.
Juxtaposed against the backdrop of Table Mountain and our two oceans is the sprawling reality of our townships which are a crucible of the world''s most pressing problems. Emerging out of these harsh circumstances are inspiring examples of hope.
So if you are the type of visitor who wants to experience the soul and character of a destination, if you want to meet local communities and understand their challenges and aspirations for the future, then head out on the Cape Care Route. You''ll be impressed by the initiatives on the other side of town.
ABOUT THE TRAIL
The Tour starts with a visit to the Townships where you will encounter inspiring examples of how impoverished men, women and youth are building their own houses, growing their own food and developing skills to turn waste material into contemporary arts and crafts. You''ll be able to support emerging entrepreneurs through buying locally made goods and enjoying the multi-cultural cuisine of the area.
You will also learn how partnerships between buisness, government and communities are helping to protect the rich biodiversity of Cape Town. We take you to a threatened wetland - the only home of a rare indigenous plant - that has been transformed into a vibrant community nature reserve, a green jewel within a blighted urban environment.
Finally, you will see showcase environmental projects that demonstrate how technology and grassroots approaches have combined to provide people with a cleaner and healthier living environment. You will observe how partnerships in the Cape Peninsula National Park, an imminent World Heritage Site, have cleared alien vegetation in order to reduce water consumption and promote indigenous growth. You will also experience what upmarket tourist facilities are doing to reduce their consumption of resources and what they are doing to work with the poor communities in their midst.
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OUTER CAPE TOWN ITINERARY
Lwandle Migrant Labour Museum
Cultural experience
Story of community history
Social development
Use of renewable energy (solar)
Craft market
Walk-a-bout in township
The museum was established to commemorate migrancy in South Africa. The hostels were upgraded as part of an RDP project and now house families. Solar water heating has been installed at the upgraded hostels. One of the hostels has been retained in its original state and serves as a museum to show the conditions under which migrant labourers lived.
There is an Arts & Crafts Centre nearby (within walking distance) and the Hector Petersen Memorial Library. A township walk can be arranged through the museum. Cultural activities can be arranged such as choral music, drama and dance and tea can be organised with the local community. The project represents a partnership between the community, Cape Metropolitan Tourism, Western Cape Tourism and the Arts& Culture Trust of the President.
Moddergat River Improvement Scheme
Rehabilitation of degraded environment
Story - city showcase environmental project
Skills development
Stormwater control and disaster management (flooding)
Partnership – City and community
This project was initiated by the Catchment Management Department of the CMC Administration. The objective of the project is to alleviate the flood risks faced by the suburb of Macassar, through providing sufficient capacity in the Moddergat River to contain the 1950 year flood.
The project involved the following:
The rebuilding and reshaping of the river banks;
The clearing of litter and refuse from the river bed;
The provision of protection of existing buildings and bridges;
The construction of pedestrian crossing points over the river;
The implementation of erosion prevention measures on the river banks;
The planting of indigenous vegetation during final landscaping.
This project won an environmental award.
During its implementation members of the local community were trained and were employed on the project. There was continuous liaison with the community throughout the project. Awareness was raised through using an art competition. Community awareness, education and communication components of the project have been replicated elsewhere- namely in the Noordhoek area.
Golden Flowers
Heartwarming personal story
Innovative/creative solution to an environmental problem (flowers from a waste product)
Crafts
Authentic experience of township life
(community/culture)
New small business created
This project is located in a shack in Khayelitsha. Golden established his business of making flowers from tin cans due to a dream that he had for three nights in a row. His flowers are on display in his work area. One can watch Golden at work.
Golden’s children help him by painting some of the flowers in bright colours. A wide range of flowers are made by Golden. He can explain exactly how long it takes to make each type of flower. Golden’s story is printed on a card, which he gives to each visitor that buys one or more of his flowers. Golden is quite a shy character.
Visits need to be arranged in advance. This can be done by contacting Golden’s wife, who works at a nearby crčche.
Abalimi Bezekhaya Peace Park (Manyanani) Urban “greening” project
Story – building relationships between communities
Rehabilitation of a degraded environment
Growing own food (food security)
Partnership between communities and between communities and an NGO. Abalimi Bezekhaya has several projects on the Cape Flats, including an indigenous plant nursery, several tree planting initiatives, school greening projects and urban agriculture. The Peace Park, which is situated in Khayelitsha was established with a view to building relations between two communities that were in conflict.
Through developing a park on a degraded piece of land in the township, these communities became friends with one another. The source of the conflict was that one community was paying for services and the other was not. As a consequence of this project, both communities now pay for their services.
Spier Wine Estate
Cultural experience (wine farm)
Social development (school, training center)
Use of renewable energy (solar)
Use of innovative environmental technology for sewage treatment and in building of training centre
Organic farming
Conservation of unique species.
Partnership with emerging farmers (equity)
Craft market
Walk-a-bout Spier Wine Estate is an upmarket tourist destination which offers a range of facilities including a farm stall, a restaurant, a craft shop, a hotel and an amphitheatre. From a sustainable development point of view Spier offers the following:
The hotel has a number of “environmentally friendly” aspects, including low energy lighting, recycling of toiletry containers and use of solar energy for water heating.
There is an organic farm in which emerging farmers have an equity stake.
Sewerage from the hotel is treated using the biolytic technology. The resulting effluent is suitable for the watering of gardens. Hence, there is no sewerage effluent disposal to the municipal sewer in respect of the hotel.
Spier have sponsored a school for the local community. There is a training center on the same site. These buildings have been designed and constructed in accordance with “green building” principles.
Wild animal breeding and rehabilitation projects have been set up by conservation NGOs on the site, namely the cheetah breeding programme and the rehabilitation programme for birds of prey, particularly raptors.
Potential points of interest as drive by – dependent on route taken by tour operator:
Wolfgat
One of the Look Out Hills
Electricity supply in townships
Community market garden (e.g. Good Food Foundation in Mitchell’s Plain or an Abalimi Bezekhaya community garden)
Other Points
Potential for lunch and Shopping stop in Khayelitsha
Potential for lunch at Spier
Tea at Lwandle – some craft shopping as well
INNER CAPE TOWN ITINERARY
Edith Stephens
Protection of unique species
Interesting conservation story
Rehabilitation of degraded environment
Historical/cultural features
Social development
Partnership between community, City and NGOs
Walk-a-bout The Edith Stephens Wetland Park is a joint initiative between the City of Cape Town, the Table Mountain Fund and the National Botanical Institute. Extensive rehabilitation of the site has taken place, including the removal of alien tree species, through Working For Water and the planting of indigenous species. A berm has been constructed, creating an outdoor amphitheatre for the hosting of events, such as music, dance and theatre. This provides an opportunity for the local community to showcase its talents.
One of the key attractions, particularly for botanists, is the species of Isoetes, which is endemic to Edith Stephens. Hence, it occurs nowhere else on earth, making Edith Stephens is one of the botanical “hot spots” of the Cape Flats. Botanists from Europe have been known to travel to South Africa, just to see this species. Edith Stephens is also the ideal venue for the bird watcher, as the wetlands area attracts many different species of birds. Local universities are involved in developing a species list for the Park.
Victoria Mxenge and Lilies for Peace women driving the provision of shelter
Skills development
Indigenous flower growing
Authentic experience of township life
(community/culture)
Partnership – community and NGO
The Victoria Mxenge project provides an opportunity to observe what a group of women achieved through there own initiative. A group of women initiated a project to provide homes for their families as they did not want to wait for the government subsidy. These women obtained skills in all aspects of house building. They initiated a savings scheme as a means of providing finance for the project. Each home has been designed and built through the energy of these women.
There are local Arts & Crafts available at the nearby community centre. The Derek Hanekom Centre is located in the area – this house is of historical significance. A flower-growing project has also been established in Victoria Mxenge – the Lilies for Peace Project. Abalimi Bezekhaya is involved in this project. Arum lilies, which are indigenous to the Western Cape, are cultivated for sale into the fresh flower market.
Tsoga Centre
Environmental education/youth development
Skills development (e.g. community market gardening)
Waste recycling
Crafts
Walk-a-bout to experience of township life
Partnership between Centre and community
The Tsoga Environmental Centre was established in 1994. Environmental education and training is provided at the Centre. In addition, there is a recycling centre and a small market garden. There are some crafts available at the centre. Some are made from plastic bags.
Tsoga works closely with the local community on issues such as littering, food gardening and the greening of parks. The Centre trains people in vegetable growing, so that they are able to do so in their own gardens.
Township walks can be organised through the Centre. This project involves the youth from the local community. Tour guides have been trained and any income that is generated is invested in the further development of their skills in the tourism sector.
Ukuvuka (?)– potential content of visit Rehabilitation of a degraded environment
Biodiversity conservation
Disaster management (fires)
Innovative/creative solution to an environmental problem (crafts from alien species)
Partnership between communities, business and the public sector. Ukuvuka is considered as a showcase project for sustainable development. It marries the elements of biodiversity conservation (through removing alien species which are highly combustible) with social development (through job creation and skills development).
There are several areas of interest in relation to Ukuvuka. This visit will include a brief walk around Kirstenbosch to demonstrate what an area can look like 30 years after alien vegetation clearing. In addition, water-wise and fire-wise gardening will be observed. An explanation of the Ukuvuka project : background on exotic vegetation, their destruction to indigenous flora, the fire risk they pose and why, the approach adopted by Ukuvuka to deal with this issue. Video footage of high altitude clearing will be shown.
Oude Molen Village
Cultural/historical buildings
Skills development and training
Wetlands and river features
Organic farming
Crafts
Walk-a-bout or horse riding The Oude Molen Village is located on the site known as Valkenberg East. It is a micro enterprise village comprising a diverse range of businesses such as artists, woodworkers, music studios, photographers, a training centre and a frail care centre. The aim of the Village is to demonstrate how under-utilised public assets can be utilised in an integrated way to provide business and employment opportunities, thereby serving to address poverty. Hence, the Village has been developed with the synergies between small businesses in mind.
There are a number of buildings that are probably of historic interest – the vegetarian restaurant is located in one of these, which has been renovated. Other buildings are vacant and have become rundown. The site is located within the Black River Urban Park. There is a plan in place, which when implemented, will result in the upgrading of the Black River and of the wetland area which is located on the Oude Molen Village site.
A number of small businesses have been developed on the site and the basis philosophy is that businesses should assist one another and “put back into the community”. Hence, there are businesses that are interdependent. For example, some of the wood from a tree felling business is used by another business to make wooden garden furniture.
Particular items of interest:
Organic farming – vegetables are taken by horse and cart into neighbouring suburbs. Permaculture techniques are used for some of the gardens.
Bee keeping – visitors can observe the bees and the honey-making process and social behaviour of the bees is explained.
Potential points of interest as drive by – dependent on route tour operator takes
Self Help Manenberg – community initiated cleaning project
Philippi Market – upgrading of an urban space
Electricity supply in the townships
Joe Slovo – Ukuvuka project
Other Points
Potential for lunch In Langa
Tea at community center in Victoria Mxenge – some craft shopping as well
SOUTHERN CAPE TOWN ITINERARY
Rondevlei Nature Reserve
Protection of unique species
Bird watching
Environmental education
Skills development (tour guide training) development
Walk-a-bout This is a well-established local nature reserve – it has been in existence since 1952. It offers viewing of a diversity of plant and bird species. Visitors can take a guided walk through the reserve and stop at bird hides and to observe various plant species along the way. There are 15 endangered plant species at Rondevlei and up to 230 bird species.
The reserve has an environmental education centre, which is attended mainly by children from the communities of the Cape Flats. Hence, many of these children come from poor communities and their visits to the environmental education centre provided one of the rare opportunities to observe nature and get to know more about the natural environment. There is a reptile and fish display as well as a museum. The reserve is also home to a family of hippos.
Tour guides are from previously disadvantages communities. They have been specially trained to guide the visitor around Rondevlei.
Adventure Kalk Bay
Fishing community/culture
Marine resources
Skills development
Involvement of women in new business opportunities
Waste recycling
Crafts
Walk-a-bout Adventure Kalk Bay is a community-based tourism project. It offers the visitor a unique experience of Kalk Bay, through the eyes of the fishing community. The visit includes a walk in Kalk Bay where interesting shops, art galleries and historical buildings abound, including the site of the old village washhouse and the smallest mosque in South Africa.
This walk takes one to the harbour to watch the incoming fishing boats and to experience the unique culture of this fishing community. One of the senior fisherman will relate stories of their life at sea.
The wives of the fishermen are involved in the project – they provide refreshments for the visitors and share some of the local customs and stories.
Noordhoek Training Centre Two Oceans Crafts and Culture
Skills development
Innovative/creative solution to an environmental problem (crafts from alien species)
Authentic experience of township life (community/culture)
Crafts
Partnership – community, business, City and NGO
Township walk This centre offers a variety of training and skills development courses for the communities of was Ocean View and Masephumele. The centre involves a partnership between various government departments, South Peninsula Tourism, Ukuvuka and business organisations.
One of the key attractions is the crafting of wooden furniture and small crafts from wood. Pottery is also made, including bowls for the Body Shop and company widely known for its environmental and social ethos. The centre is landscaped with indigenous plants.
The Two Oceans Crafts and Culture Centre is located across the road from the training centre. This serves as an outlet for crafts made at the training centre. Cultural events take place here including song, dance and theatre. This provides an opportunity to showcase local talent. Local cuisine can also be experienced in the outdoor restaurant. Visits to Ocean View and to Masephumele can be organised from the centre.
Wildevoëlvlei
Rehabilitation of a degraded environment
Biodiversity conservation
Innovative approach to environmental problem (solving the toxicity problem)
Skills development The Wildevoelvlei wetland has been degraded due to development in the Noordhoek area. Nutrient rich runoof and the discharge of effluent into the wetland has resulted in a degradation of water quality. As a result toxic algal blooms have occurred. The municipality has tried several methods for solving the problem, with limited success.
Recently, an alternative approach has been adopted, which involves the introduction of an aquatic plant that could solve the toxicity problem. In addition, measures have been taken to stabilise the banks of the wetland. This has provided employment and skills development training for members of local community.
Solole Game Reserve
Cultural/historical buildings
Implementation of old building techniques and methods
Conservation of biodiversity
Rehabilitation of degraded environment This property comprises the original Steenberg Farm, which used to provide fruit and vegetables to Simonstown in the 1750s. The original slave quarters are still on the site – these have been renovated using the original building techniques of that time. New structures on the site have been built using these same techniques.
The game reserve offers the following:
Rehabilitation of injured animals (small mammals, ungulates and birds);
Breeding of disease-free buffalo for the Northern Province. According to the reserve owner, buffalo occurred in this part of the country before settlement by humankind – other zoologists refute this.
Replanting of indigenous species and clearing of alien species.
Employment of local community (Masephumele).
In addition to the above, the owner of the reserve used to be a hunter. The story of how he came to cease hunting and become involved in conservation activities is interesting. In essence it related to the interconnectedness of humankind with the natural world and is therefore a pertinent message in the context of sustainable development.
Keyser River Rehabilitation Project
Skills development and training
Wetlands and river features
Partnership involving the business sector
A degraded part of the river has been rehabilitated. This work included rubble removal, water testing, alien vegetation removal, greening and the development of informative signage explaining the project.
The river is located in an environment that has been degraded by commercial and light industrial activity and the project represents a model for rehabilitation of river systems in the city. The project involves a partnership between local government, local businesses and an environmental NGO.
Potential points of interest as drive by:
Muizenberg cultural/historical features
Noordhoek/Kommetjie wetlands
Alien clearing/wood supply
Masephumele
Glencairn whale watching site (during the season)
Potential for lunch at the Two Ocean Arts and Crafts Centre – local cuisine provided by local community (Ocean View and Masephumelele)
Tea at Kalk Bay – provided by local fishing community
Time visit to Kalk Bay to coincide with arrival of fishing boats
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