A historical investigation into the Sea Point beachfront as a public open space throughout the 20th century with special reference to memories of growing up along the Sea Point Promenade by Leila Emdon.
<< previous A Lifetime on the Promenade
Chapter one: A Public Space under threat
In this dissertation, I argue that it is important to place the history of the beachfront as well as aspects of Sea Point into historical context because of the debates and issues surrounding the area in current times. The reason I have chosen to do historical research on this area is that the beachfront is currently coming under threat of development.
The development of the promenade is technically illegal because this land is legally zoned as public space, meaning that it belongs to the people of South Africa.
In response to this threat, a non-profit voluntary organisation called SEAFA (Seafront for All) has formed, consisting of “representatives of various local ratepayers’ associations, business people, bodies corporate, share block companies and concerned citizens from across the Peninsula”1.
SEAFA argue that this public open space is “utilised daily and is of significant cultural, environmental and historical significance to many”2. The intended development is a hotel on the Clifton side of the Pavilion, and on the Cape Town side, a “three story shopping complex, restaurants, a gymnasium and other retail outlets, all with limited parking.”3
This will be the first development on the seaside of the beach road besides the Waterfront.
SEAFA, with the funds raised by donations, are taking the government to the High Court as the required re-zoning of the area not only takes away the people’s rights to the land as a public space but also leads to probability that the rest of the Promenade as far down as Three Anchor Bay can might be re-zoned also.
Although they have made success in keeping the development suspended, the area issue is not closed and the area is still under threat of future development. The story of the Sea Point promenade being a place for everyone to enjoy may one day be a thing of the past.
1 SEAFA, 2008, “Introduction”, information pamphlet.
2 Ibid
3 SEAFA, 2008, “The Intended Development”, information pamphlet
SEAFA held a public protest, on the Sea Point promenade in April 2008, where thousands petitioned against the commercial development of the promenade.
Photos: Janey Ball ©
<< previous A Lifetime on the Promenade —- Chapter One continued – Why should we remember Sea Point? ->
