City Views - March 2011 by Cape Town Partnership

CityViews March 2011

Photo: Bruce Sutherland

CLEAN | SAFE | CAR I NG

THE TRANSPORT ISSUE SHARING New York’s Wisdom

>> page 4

CAPE TOWN Bicycle Map >> page 6

Cape Town as a

Transport City >> page 3

FRESH Food Market

>> page 8

OUTWIT ATM Scams

>> page 9

Natalie Becker’s Cape Town >> page 12

As a forward-thinking Central City, we are constantly rethinking transport and mobility towards becoming a walkable city with an integrated and reliable public

transport system.

about

town

CityViews

March 2011

FROM TASSO

Let’s become a City with a strong public life

Tasso

Have you ever had the pleasure of walking in the Central City in the quiet cool of the morning, just before the hustle and bustle starts? I do it often. The mornings - and the early evenings, for that matter – are a wonderful time to be walking in the CBD.

I regularly stroll along St George’s Mall or along Bree Street on my way to work – and for me it is a real highlight to see things in a different way, when the City is free of traffic, both human and cars. We at the CCID are passionate about encouraging a move towards a more car-free City. This month in City Views, we focus on transport – and all that it means to our Central City. We believe that, in line with other major cities in the world, it is important to promote non-motorised transport, to encourage people to cycle and walk more to the Central City and in the Central City. We also believe strongly in promoting our public spaces. Our vision at the CCID is for a Central City with a strong public life – with its citizens walking, cycling and enjoying the public spaces. Our vision is to see more families in the Central City, more children, more prams.

We would also like to be

more accessible to our disabled community. We are aware that there are a number of challenges in this regard. It is difficult for disabled people to manoeuvre around town. Our landscape is not as disabled friendly as we would like it to be. This is a challenge we take seriously, as we take all challenges in our bid to make Cape Town Central City a world-class location. Another key challenge is that we are still a car-dominated City. The more people we have using public transport, the fewer problems we have with parking shortages and traffic congestion and the easier it is on the terrain. It is important that we face up to these challenges and that we do it inclusively. We would like to hear your ideas on how to deal with some of the transport challenges we face. For instance, what more can we be doing to make pedestrian life easier in the Central City? What needs to be

done to encourage people to use our cycling lanes? Keep us posted on what you think. We welcome your input. This month we welcome three key new staff members to our ranks – they are Rushdi Toefy, precinct manager; Reuben Thomas, our new night manager and Tracy Clayton, the new PA/operations assistant for the CCID. See our interviews with them on page eight. We implemented the night manager position during the World Cup, and it proved to be such a success, that we have decided to keep the position going. Reuben will, effectively be our “onestop-shop” dealing with the efficient running of the Central City at night. Rushdi, a professional cyclist, was last seen testing our Central City cycle lanes with colleague and avid cyclist Sarel Strydom to see where they can be jacked up and they report back to us in this issue on page 6. Welcome Reuben, Rushdi and Tracy.

CITYVIEWS Published by: The Central City Improvement District (CCID) For more info: Sue Segar: 021 419 1881 sues@capetownpartnership.co.za Website: www.capetowncid.co.za Design: Infestation 021 424 6701

SAVE THESE NUMBERS ON YOUR PHONE CCID Security Manager: 082 453 2942 CCID Deputy Security Manager: 082 442 2112 CCID 24-hour number: 082 415 7127 SAPS Control Room: 021 467 8002 Social Department 082 563 4289

Social Development grows from

strength to strength

Straatwerk has job rehabilitation projects for men and women. 021 425 0140 The Haven’s vision is to get the homeless home. 021 425 4700 The Homestead provides residential care and family integration for boys. 021 461 7470 Ons Plek provides residential care while undertaking reunification process for girls. 021 465 4829 The Carpenters Shop provides rehabilitation services and skills training for adults. 021 461 5508 Salesian Institute Youth Projects provide education, skills training and rehabilitation to vulnerable youth. 021 425 1450

Many children and young adults living on the streets have severe drug addiction problems. More often than not, the money they receive from begging is used to buy their next “fix”. The CCID therefore requests that members of the public do not give money or handouts directly. If you would like to help, please contact one of the listed organisations mentioned.

Contact the Central City Improvement District’s (CCID’s) Social Development Department for further information or assistance. Pat 021 419 1881 | Dean 082 928 3862 Headman Sirala-Rala 082 262 0113 Mark Williams 082 262 0112 www.capetownpartnership.co.za

Photo: Anita van Zyl

“K

eep money off the streets.” This is the strong, simple message from Hassan Khan, CEO of The Haven Night Shelter Welfare Organisation. The Haven provides temporary shelter, physical care, social welfare and family re-unification services to adult homeless people. In an interview with City Views, Khan called on people who care about homeless people to do their bit towards ensuring that the Haven’s card system is not abused. A Haven Shelter card, which costs R10, provides a homeless person entry to one of their shelters and includes a hot shower, a clean set of clothes, a nourishing meal and a bed, if available. Cards can be purchased from The Haven Head Office or at any of the shelters. Khan confirmed that there have been incidents where the Haven card is being misused. One way of doing this is for people to show their Haven Shelter cards to people and use it as a means of soliciting money. “One can understand this. One would expect it,” said Khan, who has worked for the Haven organisation for 30 years. “A street person ﬂashes his card and says, please give me money. I need money to go to The Haven. “What we are asking people who care for the homeless people to do is to just read the back of the card. They will see that the card entitles the homeless person to go into the shelter and to benefit from the services. “Read the card. See yourself in him. If he ﬂashes the card, he doesn’t need your help. He just needs a reminder to get to The Haven.” Khan stressed that giving money directly to homeless people does not benefit them in the long run. “They should rather be encouraged to apply to The Haven for help. It is all about choices – the choice of the person who wants to help and the

Homeless people

choice of the homeless person.” Khan took pains to stress that nobody has the right to confiscate the card from homeless people. “Nobody has the right to do this. It amounts to theft,” he said. The CCID’s Social Development Department, which runs the “Give Responsibly” campaign, has joined the call. The Give Responsibly Campaign is aimed at promoting awareness around responsible giving and the detrimental longterm effects of giving ad hoc donations to people begging on the streets. Pat Eddy, Social Development Manager for the CCID said: “The Haven Shelter card is a good example of responsible giving as it provides all the necessary basic services to a destitute person and can often be the first step in enabling him to turn his life around. The public must just be aware that there are some opportunists who can still abuse this service by using the Haven Shelter card to beg” For more information on The Haven Night Shelters, visit www.haven.org.za.

CityViews 3

March 2011

City Views

Welcome to the Transport edition of City Views. We at the CCID and the Cape Town Partnership are still reeling with inspiration after the visit to our City by Janette Sadik-Khan, the commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation and Amanda Burden, director of the New York City Department of City Planning. They came to discuss issues of public transport, NMT, public space and city planning. Enjoy reading about developments and ideas around transport and mobility. Let’s hope we can one day be counted, along with Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Barcelona, Paris, New York, Melbourne and Portland as one of those cities that walks the walk, that makes use of bicycles and that gets on the buses and trains. See the next few pages for our focus on transport matters.

Photos supplied

Fields Of Play Catalogue

Fields of Play: Football Memories and Forced Removals in Cape Town was an exhibition hosted last year at the District Six Museum’s Homecoming Centre before and during the World Cup. A memoir of this exhibition , the Fields of Play Catalogue, is now available and captures the essence of the exhibition that looked at the beautiful game and societal displacement through the lens of memory, heritage and change. District Six Museum focuses on exploring how notions of race were created, imposed, experienced, internalised and rejected in South Africa. For its contribution to exploring new exhibitionary forms, the project has the support of DEDT (the Western Cape Provincial Department of Economic Development and Tourism) and the Carl Schlettwein Foundation in Basel.

For more info please visit www.districtsix.co.za

DON’T MISS Tofﬁe Popular Culture Festival The President Design Agency hosts the second Toffie Popular Culture Festival - a design and creative festival featuring a range of local and international speakers - at the Cape Town City Hall from 24 to 26 March. For more information, see toffie.co.za or book at toffie@thepresident.co.za.

National Water Week March 21-28 is National Water Week and March 22 is World Water Day - held annually as a means of focusing attention on the importance of fresh water and advocating for the sustainable management of fresh water resources. This year the SA Government is hosting the United Nations in Cape Town at the CTICC with live broadcasts to other water events around the world. For a list of educational & entertainment events & activities in your region visit www.forloveofwater.org.za.

Earth Hour 2011 At 8.30 PM on Saturday 26 March 2011, households and businesses will be asked to switch off their non-essential lights and other electrical appliances for one hour to raise awareness on climate change. Grab your spot along Tafelberg Road to see the effect on the Central City!

TAKE NOTE

Some of the musicians lined up for this years festival are Simphiwe Dana (left) and Earth Wind and Fire (right)

Cape Town International Jazz Festival: packed with the best One of the major highlights at this year’s Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) will be the presence of stellar saxophonist Wayne Shorter. The festival takes place at the CTICC on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 March.

he organisers have always wanted the 77-year old saxophonist to appear in Cape Town, says festival director, Rashid Lombard of espAfrika. At the centre of every innovation that occurred in jazz in the last 50years, Shorter leads a quartet made up of pianist Danilo Perez, bassist John Patitucci and drummer Brian Blade. The 1970s band Earth, Wind and Fire (EWF) and US saxophonist Dave Koz will join Shorter as headline act. As in previous years, this year’s event will see an equal split between African and overseas artists. Leading Africa’s contingency is West African great Youssou N’dour and reigning queen of Afro-soul, Simphiwe Dana. The African squad includes South African-based Mozambican saxophonist and ﬂautist Ivan Mazuze and up-and-coming Angolan vocalist Sandra Cordera, who fuses bossa nova with strong Afro-jazz styles. Festival organisers are again sticking to programming that offers a memorable choice that ranges from

straight-ahead jazz sounds to urban and contemporary styles. Also in the line-up is US trumpeter Christian Scott; Patricia Barber who is revered for her pianism and her contralto voice; and Cape Town-based guitarist, pianist, vocalist and gifted composer Dave Ledbetter. Programming at the festival continues to provide a stage for younger but serious musicians. On this year’s lineup is South African singer Lisa Bauer, Hong Kong-based Singaporean singer and producer Hanjin, and bassist/ vocalist Esperanza Spalding. The lineup will be incomplete without a touch of nostalgia and a sense of déjà vu. One artist that will definitely create such feeling is US ﬂautist Hubert Laws. Sure to bring down the house is the old South African band, The Flames. Gang of Instrumentals, the South African group that fuses electro, disco, funk, pop and African rhythms will provide the contemporary sounds, as will Gazelle, and Monique Bingham whose name is synonymous with the

live band Abstract Truth. The festival will also present a series of workshops at various venues throughout Cape Town over eight days, including workshops on Arts Journalism, Music Workshops, Music Business and Master Classes. Another element of the CTIJF is the esteemed Duotone Photographic Exhibition that documents the emergence and growth of jazz globally. The free Community Concert will take place prior to the festival on the Wednesday at Green Market Square and will showcase some of the international and local acts scheduled to perform at the festival. Ticket prices for the 2011 festival are: R365 for a single day pass and a two-day weekend pass is R499. As in previous years, there will be an extra fee of R25 per act for patrons wishing to attend concerts on the Rosies stage. Tickets are available at Computicket and Shoprite-Checkers stores. For more information go to: www.capetownjazzfest.com

4 CityViews

March 2011

New York City planners share their wisdom with

Photos: Anita van

Zyl

CAPE TOWN

n Ryneveld

an with Philip va

Janette Sadik-Kh

City partners were privileged to host Janette Sadik-Khan, commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation and Amanda Burden, director of the New York City Department of City Planning recently to discuss issues of public transport, NMT, public space and city planning.

Described as activists for change in their city, both Sadik-Khan and Burden have been major players in New York mayor Michael Bloomberg’s bid to transform New York into a green city by, among other things, reducing the city’s carbon footprint by 30% by the year 2030 while improving the livability and quality of life of the city. The duo, accompanied by Walter Hook, director of the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) met with key players in South Africa’s transport sector, including deputy Transport minister Jeremy Cronin and Western Cape premier Helen Zille. They also delivered a public lecture on non-motorised transport and other transport trends.

Janette Sadik-Khan

Since her appointment, Sadik-Khan has activated a programme to improve safety, mobility and sustainability throughout New York City, and to ensure a state of good repair on all the Department’s roads and bridges. These efforts include protected bike lanes or segregated cycle facilities, in which parked cars serve as a barrier against moving traffic; improved bus lanes, with bus priority at stop streets and pedestrian plazas in which portions of streets are transformed into green spaces free of cars. The initiatives have led to many more people making cycling their primary mode of transport and have increased numbers on subways and buses in the city. They have helped reduce morbidity and mortality amongst cyclists and pedestrians. New York City’s air quality is improving as a result. Sadik-Khan’s efforts have seen a dramatic transformation of New York’s streets.

Amanda Burden

Since being appointed in 2002, Burden, who is also the chair of the City Planning Commission, has earned an impressive reputation as a woman who is leaving a vital legacy on how key boroughs in New York will look and feel for decades to come. An advocate of revitalizing Lower Manhattan,

Cape Town’s IRT system will be Walter Hook

“Cape Town’s IRT system is going to be great.” These were the words of Walter Hook, the New York-based, internationally renowned authority in sustainable transportation policy and practice. Hook, the Executive Director of the respected Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP), accompanied Janette Sadik-Khan and Amanda Burden on their trip to Cape Town. In an interview with City Views, Hook, who served as an advisor to the City of Cape Town on the IRT, said he believes strongly that, while user

of improving public access to the Brooklyn waterfronts and of improving commuter rail into the city, she also promotes rezoning plans, and has a reputation of holding developers to strict design standards. Burden has spearheaded Mayor Bloomberg’s economic development initiatives with comprehensive urban design master plans designed to catalyse commercial and residential development throughout the city and to reclaim its waterfront. Recognizing the value of neighbourhoods of special character, she has sponsored rezonings to protect numerous low-density neighbourhoods throughout the city.

quickly to increased facilities for pedestrians.

“Create spaces for people”

Sadik-Khan said a key finding which has been addressed was that New York City was previously a “city without seats”. “In the past, we would see people squatting on fire hydrants. We have worked to transform this situation all over. We are creating spaces for people to use, such as pop-up plazas. The simple step of providing seating is one of the quickest ways to improve a city’s public space.”

“Provide information systems for pedestrians – Sadik-Khan and Burden spoke extensively not just cars” PlaNYC

about Bloomberg’s far-reaching and transformative PlaNYC design for the sustainability of New York City over the next 25 years. The plan is aimed at preparing for a sharp rise in NYC’s population, repairing the city’s aging infrastructure and conserving the city’s resources, by reducing its carbon emissions by 30 percent.

Sadik-Khan said her department believes that providing directions to people and pedestrians in a city is as important as guiding cars. For this reason, a state-of-the-art “wayfinding” system, providing information to pedestrians is in the pipeline.

“Use streets differently”

Another move which the women said has

“Start with the vision of a proven to be highly successful in New York transit-oriented, pedestrian- is to “use streets differently every day”. “We have weekend walks in some neighoriented city” The duo emphasised that setting a vision to- bourhoods, and we close Park Avenue for wards change is key to transforming a city. three Saturdays in August,” they said. Clearly two women who are blazing a A priority in New York, towards these trail in sustainability in their own city, goals, was sustainable transport. “We had to reinforce our city as a transit-oriented, Sadik-Khan and Burden told Capetonians: pedestrian-oriented city,” they stressed. “If you are serious about climate change, Citing one example, Sadik-Khan said move to New York City.” Times Square now sees about 354 000 pedestrians walking through it every day. “Before that, 90 percent of it was dedicated to cars.” On pedestrianisation: “If you create the space for people, they will use it.” SadikKhan said higher pedestrian numbers in a city translate into higher retail spending. All the more reason why Cape Town should move The New York pair

with Infect

ing the Cit

y particip

ants

GREAT

numbers will be low in the beginning, the numbers will grow. “People will switch,” he assured City Views Hook said it will take time for Cape Town to change its patterns from being a largely car-based society to relying more on public transport. However, enough people will use it to demonstrate the possibilities, he said. Hook, who was also closely involved in the development of Johannesburg’s BRT system, has also worked on similar systems in Asia and Latin America. Commenting on the IRT route, Hook said the structure has come up “very nicely”. “The quality of the station de-

sign is very good. Most of the bus route has passing lanes, which means that an express bus service can be introduced.” Hook said the challenges facing the BRT in Cape Town are the same that have always been faced. “For example, bus frequency – starting with one bus every five minutes is low by international bus standards. “That is the drawback of starting on a less bus-intensive corridor.” However, he said, given the complexity of integrating the existing mini bus taxi industry into the operations, the City of Cape Town was right not to start on the Khayelitsha corridor.

“Mini bus taxis were originally very resistant to the BRT. We thought we needed to prove the concept on a corridor with less complexity,” he said. Hook said an excellent communications strategy will be required to encourage the public to use the public transport system. “One way of doing this is to introduce car-free days. Another is to offer free trips in the opening stages of introducing the system. Thirdly, it is very important to employ station ambassadors to tell people what to do and where to go, because it will take time for people to get used to the system.”

CityViews 5

March 2011

PEDICAB Power

Pedicab power

novel idea to transport tourists by cycles has taken off in a big way in the Cape Town Central City, with the company behind the venture now looking to expand. According to Bertie Phillips, Director of Cyclecabs, the company was formed by like-minded investors who saw the benefits of promoting sustainable transport within the CBD. The cycle-rickshaw, or pedicab, has low barriers to entry and the requirements for riders are not stringent, he says.

“This means that unemployed persons can enter the market and the project is a strong employment generator in the small enterprise development sector,” says Phillips. Cyclecabs was formed in December 2008 towards meeting both the aims of the Green Goal programme of the FIFA 2010 World Cup and key objectives within the Cape Town Partnership. One of the company’s longest serving “drivers”, Sebenzile Msweli, who has been with Cyclecabs for nearly two years, says he was unemployed before being given

this opportunity. “Things are tough, work-wise, and this has been a good opportunity for me. But it’s very hard work,” he says. Sebenzile, 32, is based at the Cape Grace Hotel where he earns a basic salary plus tips. “Once tourists have used the service, they generally like it and come back for more,” he says. “It’s a very different way of getting around the Central City”. One such passenger, Jerome Foreshaw, from the USA, says he has used cyclecabs “dozens of

times” and recommends the service to other visitors as it is a convenient and unusual way to see Cape Town. “These guys work damn hard and they deserve support,” he says. Seeing the Central City from a cyclecab is a unique, and very special, experience”. Prices range from R5 to about R40 per person, depending on the distance. A ride from the Cape Grace to the Waterfront, for instance, would cost about R30. “Our target market is the Cape Town tourism industry and the hotels and important venues such as the CTICC and the Iziko Museums. Most of our riders’ customers are tourists who tend to hop on at Government Avenue at the top of Adderley Street. This is an idyllic pathway through the magnificent Company’s Garden and a tremendous tourist experience, which combines well with the cultural destinations of the Iziko Museums,” says Phillips. He says business has been “fairly tough” since inception, with high operating costs and attrition, with riders advancing from the Cyclecabs business to other employment opportunities. He came up with the idea through his involvement in the Bicycling Empowerment Network (BEN) and when he visited Bogota, Colombia, as a delegate to an international Bicycle Conference in 2004 and experienced Pedicabs for the first time. When it comes to Cape Town’s topography, there are a few

challenges for the riders, including gale-force southeasters in summer and raging northwesters and horizontal rain in winter. “Climbing lower Long Street with two passengers can be a bit of a challenge, but we find that the riders manage to negotiate most of Central Cape Town and avoid using the very busy intersections,” says Phillips.

“The cycle-rickshaw, or pedicab, has low barriers to entry and the requirements for riders are not stringent

He says there has been “tremendous response” from advertisers, with Cape Town Partnership’s CCID taking the lead when the company first started trading, followed by the Netherlands Consulate General, Century City, the Cape Grace Hotel, CTICC, Kalahari Ads and Ratanga Junction. Anyone who wants to become a pedicab driver, or any corporates interested in taking up an advertising opportunity on the mobile units, is welcome to approach the Operations Manager David van der Lingen by emailing david@cyclecabs.co.za.

Transport TIPS

Why commuting by train is tops

For four short weeks, the 2010 World Cup gave Capetonians a glimpse of a possible future in terms of changing the way we think about transport and mobility. We saw what it means to walk around safely in the Central City at night, with our families and to use integrated and reliable public transport. Our Cities Ourselves by the Institute for Transport and Development Policy (ITDP) contains useful guidelines on improving public life and on making cities more liveable. Five of them relate to transport issues.

Ivan Turok, professor and deputy executive director at the Human Sciences Research Council based in the Central City, tells City Views why he commutes by public transport.

Walk the walk: great cities start with great pedestrian environments..

Get on the bus: mass transit can move millions of people quickly and comfortably using a fraction of the fuel and street-space used by cars. Focus on the passenger, and make it flexible and responsive.

Cruise control: some trips will be need to be made by cars, but, make it safe for people, and balance access with opportunities to linger.

Deliver the goods: create incentives to use cleaner, quieter, slower and safer delivery vehicles.

Ivan Turok

moved back to Cape Town about a year ago after many years of living and working in the UK. My office is in the Central City and I live in Muizenberg. Against the advice of my colleagues, who all come to work by car, I commute by train every day. I enjoy using the train for a variety of reasons. Above all, it brings me into contact with a wide range of ordinary people going about their daily lives. Faced with an onslaught of sensational stories about crime in the local press, it

is reassuring for someone relatively unfamiliar with the City to experience the normal reality of everyday life. I have never felt vulnerable or had any problems with safety. Cape Town also has an amazing cosmopolitan mix which middle income groups miss by living their lives in exclusive bubbles and enclaves. Travelling by train is a very sociable experience in which you

“Cape Town also has an amazing cosmopolitan mix which middle income groups miss by living their lives in exclusive bubbles and enclaves.” encounter people from highly diverse backgrounds. Just being among such cultural diversity is a source of genuine interest and even entertainment when people reveal their wonderful

sense of humour. Commuting during the World Cup was particularly memorable when people’s excitement spilled over into spontaneous jokes and gestures. Of course commuting by train is also much cheaper and far less stressful than travelling by car. You can read the paper undisturbed, prepare for the workday ahead, or wind down afterwards without the hassle of sitting in traffic. There are some disadvantages and Metrorail certainly has scope for improvement. Many of the trains are in poor condition and some of the stations and platforms need upgrading. Additional investment might also prevent the occasional breakdowns which cause delays. Most important, Metrorail managers and staff don’t seem to appreciate the need for customer care and communication. The service could be a great deal better with a bit more attention to passenger needs.

6 CityViews

March 2011

West Coast CYCLE Bicycle Empowerment Network (BEN), which has a mission to address poverty and mobility through the promotion of the bicycle in all its forms. Also on the ride were a range of bicycles from folding to mountain and recumbent bikes, and a number of skateboarders and pedestrians joined in as well.

“The 15-km cycling route provides pedestrians and cyclists with their own dedicated lane...”

Wheeldon commented afterwards that a group of Dutch colleagues who joined the ride had commented that the route is “world class”. With the focus on new mobility transport, the aim of the new route

is to encourage commuters to make use of transport other than their cars and ease the congestion which has become being a daily problem in and around the City. Mayor Plator said afterwards he was heartened by the number of cyclists and pedestrians who were already using the route and by the positive feedback it had received: “It is an exciting and groundbreaking project and shows our City’s commitment to provide safe thoroughfares for pedestrians and commuters right across the City.” He said he also fully supported the ride, especially in light of an “important time in our City’s calendar” - the run-up to the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour on 13 March. “We are only a few weeks away from the Cycle Tour and unfortunately at this time of year we often hear stories of accidents involving cars and cyclists,” he said.

Cape Town BICyCLE MAP

Cyclists take to the West Coast route

Ever wondered where the bicycle lanes are in Cape Town (there’re a lot more than you might think…)? Or which shopping centres have bicycle parking racks, which coffee shops let you bring your bike indoors, and what those new bicycle road signs mean?

e Town The cover of the Cap Bicycle Map

“In 2006, I spent three weeks cycling all over Manhattan and greater New York City with only my New York Cycle Map in hand … and ever since then, I’ve been wanting a similar map of Cape Town,” says Gail Jennings, editor of Mobility magazine, urban cyclist and now creator of the Cape Town Bicycle Map. “For the last few years, wherever I’ve cycled in the city, I’ve taken my GPS with me, explored the little urban shortcuts and back roads of Cape Town, and slowly built up a picture of Cape Town’s ‘cycling geography’, together with a database of safer commuter routes and bicyclefriendly venues. Other cycle commuters have given Mobility their favourite routes, too, and once the City started setting up

The Mayor also used the opportunity to call on all road users to obey the rules of the road –for cyclists to always wear their helmets and reﬂective clothing, and for motorists to be considerate of cyclists at all times.

bicycle parking racks and building more bike lanes, I reckoned it was time to start putting a map together. “London, Paris, Berlin - these cities all have bicycle maps, and so should we. A lot of people want to commute by bike, but don’t have a clear picture of the network of safer routes.” The print edition of the Cape Town Bicycle Map was developed to encourage more people to ride as a mode of transport, by identifying a network of safer, connected routes; locating bicycle lanes and parking; educating cyclists about their rights and responsibilities; and informing cyclists about bicycle signage. The next edition plans to include information about roads with slower speed limits, and hotspots where collisions between cyclists and motorists have been known to occur. “We’re now working on the online edition of the Cape Town map, the print edition of a Winelands map, and have even had requests for a Gauteng map. The website is already live, and we welcome suggestions about routes, ways to bypass the trafﬁc, bicycle-friendly venues, and whatever else urban cyclists need to know.”

For more information on the map visit www.capetownbicyclemap.co.za

CCID duo test the City cycle route CCID precinct managers and avid cyclists Sarel Strydom and Rushdi Toefy took to their bicycles recently to try out the new City cycle routes.

“W

e left from our offices in Bree Street in the morning and went all the way up Bree Street to Longmarket Street,” said Strydom. They found that the cycle lane in Shortmarket was being upgraded, with workers still putting in bollards, trees and places to sit. “It looks as if this section will be finished soon,” said Toefy. The pair then went down Waterkant Street towards the Cape Town Station and had what they called a “wonderful, smooth run”. “It was really pleasant along that part of the route and, with quite a few trees in the area, this is a great space for people,” said Strydom. The duo then cycled up Adderley Street. The dedicated cycle lane progresses from the Golden Acre shopping centre to Spin Street, where the remainder of the route is still being built.

“We didn’t test the route along Heerengracht and lower Adderley because construction work taking place there makes the road very narrow to cycle,” said Toefy. Asked whether they got the feeling many other cyclists are making use of the cycle routes, the pair said it did not appear so yet. While they felt that the tracks which are in operation appear well-maintained, they did cite problems along the way: in parts of Bree Street, particularly between Waterkant and Shortmarket streets, the cycle lanes are being used for illegal parking.

Rushdi Toefy (left) and Sarel Strydom Testing the City Cycle Route

Are you a cyclist in the City? What has your experience been of the City cycle lanes?

Highlights of the trip were, simply, to be out cycling in the Central City and to feel safe on their bikes. “We did not have to worry about other vehicles bumping into us,” said Toefy. “The best part of the route is Waterkant Street.” Asked to suggest improvements to the route, the pair agreed that what is needed is for motorists to respect the fact that these lanes are for bikes – and for cyclists to be encouraged to use them. “I hope that a public event is organised soon which pulls cyclists together to do the inner city route, to promote public awareness of this wonderful opportunity,” said Strydom.

Let us know. E-mail sues@ capetownpartnership.co.za and tell us what’s good and not so good about the route.

Photos: Anita van Zyl

otorists on the daily commute into town enjoyed an unusual sight on 1 February when a pack of about 300 cyclists – including Mayor Dan Plato and a number of mayoral committee members – cycled into the CBD along the R27 from Milnerton, to make the point that City officials want Cape Town to be taken seriously as a cycling city. The cyclists took to the streets to celebrate the official opening of the first section of a dedicated cycle route from Table View to the Central City, a route which links the City to the West Coast. The 15-km cycling route provides pedestrians and cyclists with their own dedicated lane, separate from normal traffic, and runs parallel with the MyCiTi bus system along the R27 which will soon be in operation. The Mayor rode on a tandem bike with Andrew Wheeldon of the

ROUTE a huge success

Photos: Bruce Sutherland

LAUNCH OF

CityViews 7

March 2011

Negotiations progressing to run

new MyCiTi service

Alderman Dan Plato, Mayor of Cape Town recently issued a statement about the progress towards implementing the MyCiTi service. This is an edited version.

Mayor Dan Plato

Photos supplied

esidents of the West Coast areas of Cape Town are rightly frustrated that the MyCiTi bus service between Table View and Cape Town is not yet up and running. I can assure them we are working intensively with multiple partners to get this service running as soon as possible. Capetonians deserve an explanation and assurance that the City of Cape Town is wholeheartedly committed to providing this service. The City has been planning to launch the first commuter route in early April. This will be a major milestone - the first commuter route of a safe, clean and affordable new bus system. The launch will also give a taste of the level of service that lies in store for the rest of Cape Town in coming years. With goodwill from all parties, we believe we can launch the service in April. However, negotiations with the existing transport providers are complex and we are committed to involving them in the new system. The IRT System

“By law, all taxi and bus organisations running legitimate services on routes that will be replaced by Bus Rapid Transit systems, must have the opportunity to be part of the system.”

The new service, which we call the interim service, consists of several elements in a synchronised system that will benefit a vast number of people. This is a very large project. The interim service will consist of a trunk route running between Table View and Cape Town Central City; interim feeder services in the Table View, Blaauwberg and Parklands areas, leading to the trunk bus stations; and an interim feeder service in Cape Town

Central City running to the Waterfront, and up Long and Loop streets to Gardens. At the Civic Centre Station, these services link up to the Airport shuttle, which is already running. The feeder services are interim services, supporting the trunk route until permanent feeder services are running. The aim is to provide a service that will allow large numbers of people to travel to a network of destinations by bus. The hardware for this interim service the bus lanes, stations and depots is finished, and the City has bought enough buses for this service. Now the software, meaning the companies that will operate the buses, is being finalised. This is where the complexities lie, as this part of the process deals with the large existing public transport industry. By law, all taxi and bus organisations running legitimate services on routes that will be replaced by Bus Rapid Transit systems, must have the opportunity to be part of the

system. Alternatively, they can choose to receive compensation relative to their current share of the existing public transport market, or receive shares in the new companies. These choices are open provided they agree to surrender their operating licences and vehicles. Eight taxi associations and two bus companies will be affected by the interim service. For the past two years, City officials have been negotiating with the existing public transport industry to ensure none of the relevant players are worse off in the MyCiTi system than they are now. The parties are working towards an agreement in principle, but there is detail still to be finalised. The City originally intended to have two vehicle operating companies running the bus service. This has proven problematic for some parties in the industry. A proposed solution is to have three, rather than two, companies running the interim

service, and the City Council will consider a report on this proposal at its next meeting. Staff members are working extremely long hours to finalise the negotiations, and politicians are discussing progress at weekly meetings. Two highly skilled facilitators are working on the negotiations between the City, the mini-bus taxi associations and bus-operating companies. There has been substantial progress. The MyCiTi project is funded by national government, and is being developed in line with national legislation. When completed MyCiTi will be the biggest project the City has ever undertaken. It is an enormously difficult and complex project but it will unlock many economic and social opportunities. When there are challenges, we work through them. This recent delay does not mean the service will not come. We regret the delays, but are confident that when it is finished the service will be well worth the wait.

Strand Street – a Pedestrian’s nightmare Overcrowding, jaywalking, failure to respect the “green man”. These are just some of the problems which thousands of people – both motorists and pedestrians – face on a daily basis when they make use of the busy Strand Street in the Central City. Regular pedestrians in the Central City probably all have their own tales about “surviving” Strand Street. Anyone familiar with the busy street would have to admit it is a pedestrian’s nightmare. It was the respected Danish architect Jan Gehl, the author of the influential book, Life between Buildings: Using Public Space, who said, in 2004, that pedestrians in Cape Town are “a hunted race”. But, says CCID Security Mo Hendricks, motorists in the street also have a hard time, as rushed pedestrians regularly tend to jaywalk across the streets in the city.

One of the major problems in lower Strand Street, says Hendricks, is the fact that it is generally very over-crowded with people entering

or coming out of the bus terminus and the station. “Pedestrians tend to cross the road when the lights are still green for motorists. This poses a big risk, both

Pedestrians on busy Strand Street

to themselves and to motorists,” says Hendricks. Hendricks says another problem in Strand Street is that motorists regularly fail to respect the green

man when the traffic light on the intersection of Plein and Strand streets is green. A further issue, believes Hendricks is the timing of the traffic lights and the limited time which pedestrians are given to get to the other side in one piece. “There needs to be better synchronicity to suit both motorists and pedestrians. “At the corner of Strand Street and St George’s Mall, we see a particularly large number of jaywalkers. This regularly results in accidents,” says Hendricks. “Taxis in this area are also violating the law when they drop and collect people, because they block the thoroughfare for pedestrians. This can be very dangerous.” Hendricks called on both pedestrians and motorists to respect the law and to obey all traffic signs and rules. “I find it fascinating that it is

generally the tourists visiting Cape Town who abide by the rules. The people waiting for the green man, the ones complying with the traffic law are usually the tourists. This is because it is common practise – as it should be – in other countries. “We really need to inculcate a culture of abiding by the law. Their needs to be tolerance and respect from both motorists and pedestrians.” While a number of pedestrians have been killed in the Central City in the past few years, statistics are hard to come by. As Gail Jennings, editor of Mobility magazine says, there is very little data available. “This is because it is not a regulatory requirement to collect such date in South Africa. Most travel surveys record only general traffic volumes and most surveys exclude cycling and motorcycling trips,” says Jennings.

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CityViews

March 2011

CHECK OUT

Modern market

takes Central City back to its roots

he Earth Fair Food Market @ St Georges opened on 17 February on Upper St Georges’ Mall, to be run every Thursday. It offers visitors and Central City dwellers a smorgasbord of fresh, organic food. The choice spans smoked ﬁsh, speciality sausages, homemade pies, farm cheeses, fruit and vegetables, biltong, pâtés, organic nuts and grains, breads and a host of other products from small producers and artisans. Central City ofﬁce workers can snack on sushi, kebabs or pasta at lunch time, or meet a friend for a quick bite after work. “Many cities have iconic, fresh-food markets - Borough Market in London, the Dublin Food Coop Organic Food Market and the Marché de Pont de l’Alma in Paris – now it’s Cape Town’s turn,” says Jacqui Simpson, owner of the Earth Fair Market. “In many ways it’s a return to our roots. The Company’s Garden originally provided fresh

fruit and vegetables to passing ships and Greenmarket Square was somewhere where farmers could sell their produce. That’s why upper St George’s Mall in the historic heart of Cape Town is the ideal location.” The St Georges’ Mall Market is based on the successful Saturday Earth Fair Market in Tokai, which has become so popular that is now also open on a Wednesday afternoon. The Earth Fair concept is one of a country market, where visitors can shop for fresh goods from local producers, building relationships with them in the process. The driving forces behind the initiative include the Cape Town Partnership/ Central City Improvement District (CCID), Cape Town Tourism and the Upper St Georges’ Mall Forum comprising a number of Central City companies, including urban developers Eurocape and the Taj Cape Town. The Forum’s objective is to promote the Cape Town CBD as one to rival that of other popular city centre experiences around the world. Andrew Boraine, chief executive of the Cape Town Partnership, said the market was the next chapter in the success story of the Cape Town CBD. “Something we’ve learnt over the years is that events drive development and the Earth Fair Market provides yet another reason for people to congregate and enjoy the Central City at lunch time or after work.” Mariette du Toit-Helmbold, CEO of Cape Town Tourism says the market will also give domestic and foreign tourists added incentive to visit the inner-city. “We’re very lucky to have the Waterfront

and Table Mountain, but there’s a lot more to see and do in Cape Town. I hope the market encourages more people to experience an incredible part of the Central City and while they’re visiting the Company’s Garden, St George’s Cathedral, the Slave Lodge and to ﬁnd out a bit more about the people, history and culture of this amazing place.” Celebrity chefs, televised cooking competitions, the slow-food movement and international culinary events such as Taste - in which Cape Town is one of the participating cities - have contributed to increased interest in food and cooking worldwide. This has prompted demand for quality, fresh ingredients and consequently the growing popularity of fresh produce markets. The organisers believe that the market also provides an alternative for the increasing number of people living in the Central City and wanting fresh, quality produce. The Earth Fair Market will offer fresh produce and food that contains no preservatives or hormones and is not overly packaged. It provides an outlet for small, local producers and artisans as well as Central City community upliftment programmes. The Earth Fair Food Market @ St George’s is open every Thursday from 12.30 until 18.30. For more information contact: Aoife Gormely, St Georges Mall Forum on 071 820 4016 Jacqui Simpson, Earth Fair Food Market on 084 220 3856, or visit www.earthfairmarket.co.za

Farm produce for sale

NEW FACES at the CCID The Central City Improvement District welcomes three new staff members to its ranks. They are Reuben Thomas, the new night manager and Rushdi Toefy, precinct manager. Tracy Clayton takes up the position of PA/operations assistant to Tasso Evangelinos.

many, precinct Rushdi Toef er for the CCID ag

Rushdi Toefy, precinct manager for the CCID

Rusdi Toefy worked as security manager at Canal Walk before joining the CCID. Before that he worked in Airside Safety for the Airports Company for more than 13 years. “I am excited to take up this new position in the Central City,” says Toefy who is a born and bred Capetonian. “I know the Central City well. I have seen such big changes

over the past years. Fifteen years ago I would not have been comfortable to walk in the Central City. In recent years it has become a much more beautiful City to be in – for instance there are so many more trees.” Toefy is a passionate cyclist and has been active in the sport since 1986. “I have done most of the major races. I had an accident in 2000 and only started cycling again three years ago. I am much more serious and competitive now and am on the Cycle Labs race team.” He is also a runner and will, this year, take part in his ﬁrst Two Oceans Marathon. With all that exercise going on, we can be sure Toefy is ﬁt to walk the streets of the Central City! He and fellow precinct manager Sarel Strydom recently took to the inner city cycle lanes to test them out. Read more about it on pg 6.

Vegetables at the fresh food market Photos supplied

Cape Town’s Central City, known for its historic buildings, restaurants and cafés, museums, nightlife, arts and crafts has become the home to another attraction – an open-air freshfood market.

Reuben Thomas, nig ht manager for the CCID

Reuben Thomas, night manager for the CCID Tracy Clayton, PA/operations assistant for the CCID

Tracy Clayton, PA/operations assistant

Tracy, who has worked as a PA for nearly ten years, previously worked as the Training Co-ordinator for Old Mutual Group Schemes. A born and bred Capetonian, she enjoys keeping active at gym, socialising, camping, water sports and is am a loyal Stormers fan. “I am proud to be part of this dynamic, passionate team, striving to work towards the Central City’s continual improvement,” she said.

Reuben Thomas is responsible for the internal and external operations for the CCID. This means he will effectively be in charge of ensuring that all CCID services – including the security and cleansing operations, as well as a range of urban management projects - run efﬁciently at night. He is also tasked with dealing with conﬂict, crime or social behaviour incidents that come up at night, and will interact with all businesses in the Central City on all issues to do with night operations. For a night manager, urban management issues include public light audits, attending to emergencies such as collapsed trees or burst pipes

and generally running the organisation at night. “We introduced the position of night manager during the World Cup last year as a trial. It worked so well that we have decided to make it a full-time post,” says Tasso Evangelinos, COO of the CCID. “The CCID is now well and truly a 24 hour operation. Reuben Thomas will effectively be a “one-stop shop” for all issues arising at night. Thomas has previously worked as operations manager for Fidelity Securities, and said after ﬁrst Saturday night shift as CCID night manager: “It was a real eye-opener. A great deal goes on in the Central City at night. This is going to be a really hands-on job,” he said. “I like to work with people. I am passionate about work and am a team player,” he said, adding that he is a “no nonsense person” who won’t break rules for anyone. Asked what he does in his spare time, Thomas said he watches sport, particularly rugby and cricket, and enjoys playing the occasional game of cricket.

March 2011

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Reclaiming and remaking public life in

CAPE TOWN C

Church Square

Green Market Square

“Penalosa makes the case for public space for public life: ‘The least a democratic society should do is to offer people wonderful public spaces. “Public spaces are not a frivolity. They are just as important as hospitals and schools. They create a sense of belonging; a different type of society. A society where all people of all income levels meet in public space is a more integrated, socially healthier one. We need to see other people. We need to see green. Wealthy people can do that at clubs and private facilities. But most people can only do it in public squares, parks, libraries, sidewalks, greenways, public transit.’ ” Boraine put forward a “manifesto” for reclaiming and remaking public life in Cape Town:

Participate in public life at every opportunity – for example, Infecting the City (February); Cape Town Festival (March); Community Jazz concert on Greenmarket Square (April); switching on of the Festive Season lights (end of the year); Twilight Run (December); and many more. Defend and expand public space at every opportunity – active streets and pavements, public squares, markets, transport interchanges, the right to peaceful protest in public space. Use your neighbourhood park; rediscover the Company’s Garden, Kirstenbosch, Sea Point Promenade; discover the Green Point Park and the West Coast bike route.

We have a trafﬁc department, why not a pedestrian department? Get out of cars and walk/ cycle/ catch public transport at every opportunity. Don’t wait for public transport to improve – let’s become consumers and hold the transport authorities accountable for better services (rail and road). Drivers: respect pedestrians, runners and cyclists. Understand that the ﬂashing red man means that pedestrians still have the right of way. Pedestrians and cyclists: walk and ride smart. Don’t give motorists the excuse to get irritated. Boraine believes strongly in tearing down everything that keeps us apart as a City. “One of the best ways of doing this is to reclaim public life in Cape Town in all its forms,” he concludes.

How to outwit ATM SCAMSTERS Mo Hendricks, Security Manager for the CCID shares some tips Tips on how to avoid

Security officers apprehended eight ATM scamsters in the Central City over the festive season, indicating that this is an area where people working and playing in the City need to be highly alert. “As times get tougher, and in a climate of recession, people try all types of crime,” said Mo Hendricks, security manager for the CCID. “This always increases during the festive holidays - and ATM users are particularly soft targets.” Hendricks said the arrests were made possible through a partnership between the City of Cape Town’s security camera division, the South African Police Services and the banking industry. “Our co-operation made it possible to nab these suspects, and we will continue to do so,” Hendricks said. Turning to the profile of ATM scamsters, Hendricks had this to say: “These guys are very professional. They are not the cloak-and-dagger, evil-looking types of crook. They are businessmen dressed in suits. They operate in groups of three and four and are highly organised. “They will also look as if they have wads of money in their hands, to give the impression that they are not poor and that they are not criminals. “They use all sorts of tricks. For instance one guy will watch your pin while the other distracts you. One might pretend to drop a R100 Mo Hendricks

note on the floor – and then when you bend to help him pick it up, the other will cancel your transaction, grap your card and immediately clone it. Then they have your pin number. “In ten to fifteen minutes, before you even have time to cancel your card, they can draw cash with a blank card with your cloned pin number on it. Your money can be gone in minutes. “They keep a laptop and card-machines in their cars nearby so the whole operation is very slick.” Hendricks said the scamsters move from city to city when they know that the heat is on. “We apprehended people in Cape Town who were wanted for the same crimes in Johannesburg.” He said the criminals import the cloning machines from overseas. Hendricks added: “We owe a huge gratitude to members of the public and the business sector who constantly report suspicious behaviour to the correct channels. No police force in the world can operate without information from the public. The increase of calls received shows a definite shift in stakeholder confidence levels towards law agencies. People are no longer turning a blind eye to crime - they are actually taking responsibility for their areas.” Hendricks said that every bit of information provided is investigated and followed up on. “The main aim of the CCID is to prevent crime from occurring as opposed to having to react after the crime has occurred and this goes a long way to assisting with this.”

ATM SCAMSTERS 1. Use ATMs in well-lit and safe places. allow your card to be removed from 2. Don’t your sight. accept help from strangers or give out 3. Don’t your pin, not even to persons claiming to be bank officials. out for the people standing very close to 4. Watch you and looking over your shoulder as you type in your pin. leave your card in the ATM. If it is stuck, 5. Never follow instructions provided on the ATM machine. sure you are not followed after a 6. Make transaction. be distracted while conducting your 7. Don’t transaction. you feel unsafe, cancel the transaction 8. Ifimmediately.

Photos: Ed Suter

ape Town has a reasonably strong tradition of public life – and this should be reclaimed, says Andrew Boraine, Chief Executive, Cape Town Partnership, who recently addressed the UCT Summer School on the importance of public life in cities. Here’s a summary of what he said. “Three key factors conspired to diminish what public life had been built up over time – namely the formal political and legal policies of segregation, culminating in the apartheid era; the growth of car-centred urban sprawl in the post-World War Two industrial era; and, lastly, the various responses to the issues of public safety and security which developed over the years.” “In terms of security, the ‘securocrat’ mentality which developed in the 1980s resulted in a loss of public space, as did the high levels of crime and violence, and the ‘gang control’ associated with public spaces in many communities. The response was to fence off the open spaces, and cut down the bushes and trees as they represented a threat and not an opportunity.” According to Boraine, the cumulative effect was to increase fear and loathing in public spaces and to radically diminish economic, social and cultural life in Cape Town. Citing the inspiring story of Bogotá, Colombia, Boraine as produced in the brilliant documentary, Cities on Speed – Bogotá Change produced by Andreas Dalsgaard in 2008, Boraine notes: “This is the story of two mayors, Antanas Mockus and Enrique Penalosa.

Grand Parade

on the

town

CityViews

March 2011

Spitz sets Kurt Geiger

Flying Solo Kurt Geiger adds some class to Adderley Street ria, the stand-alone Kurt Geiger stores will showcase premium quality clothing sourced from all over the world. A complete countrywide rollout of the Kurt Geiger stores will take place this month, with 24 stores being opened by year-end. “The stores have been created for the discerning buyer - tailoring and quality are critical,” Merchandise executive for Kurt Geiger, Nicky Eisen said. “The Kurt Geiger look is sophisticated, chic, elegant and very New York.” “Our vision is to create a chic environment, that showcases the clothing and footwear itself. The products for sale are the representation of the brand; they really are the heroes of the shopping story. When shoppers enter they will have the experience that was intended when wearing premium, quality clothing like Kurt Geiger.” The look and feel of the store is also “very New York”. Using strong lines, colours and contours, the stores have encapsulated the

essence of the city life and its magical pace, and convey the energy and powerful impact that clothing and footwear makes in an urban environment. “Spitz is planning an entirely more tailored experience with the Kurt Geiger stores. Using artifacts and gadgets collected from around the world, the stores will be given a cosmopolitan feel. The change-rooms will be plush and expansive,with textured fabric frames to visually inspire a full fashion solution from head to toe. “The challenge for a lot of men is not so much choosing the right items but combining them effectively,” continued Eisen, “with a fully inclusive Kurt Geiger line in one store, we’re aiming to provide a complete solution for the man in the city and the woman looking for an accomplished look for her man!”

Items for sale

The Kurt Geiger exterior

Photos: supplied

urt Geiger, the exclusive store for men’s footwear and apparel with a connection to the Spitz brand, has brought an extra splash of style to the Central City by opening a store on the corner of Adderley and Longmarket streets. “Confident, self-assured, dashing and successful - Kurt Geiger has gone solo and we’re very excited!,” the store leaders said, after the move in mid-December last year. Offering a range of clothing for the man-of-the-city, who wears his style with some edge, the Kurt Geiger stand-alone stores will offer the ultimate shopping experience, and, even though the store only contains menswear, the visit is worth it for the ladies too. Manager Portia Morai said since opening, in the middle of the holiday season, the store has hit the ground running. To date, seven Kurt Keiger concept stores have been opened for trade. From West Street Durban to Sammy Marks Square in Preto-

Examples of the clothing on display

RESTAURANT

Photos: Anita van Zyl

New eateries add to the networking vibe in Long Street

Lelani Boshoff at Olivia Eats

Olivia Eats, one of the new eateries at 210 Long Street, is a dream come true for co-owner Lelani Boshoff. A look at the goods on offer makes the visitor realise that cooking and baking are close to Boshoff’s heart. “I thrive when people are happy because of something I have cooked for them,” says Boshoff. “I want people to feel as if they are making contact with the person who has just made them a meal.” Boshoff, who grew up on a farm in northern Namibia started the restaurant with her partner Yacoob Carr in January. Since opening, they have hit the ground running. The restaurant, so named because of Boshoff’s love for the name Olivia (“All my pets were always called Olivia”), is a delightful surprise haven in the busy hubbub of Long Street. On the menu are ranges of gourmet sandwiches and salads as well as coffee and home-baked pastries and cakes. The sandwiches feature Boshoff’s trademark range of spreads, pestos and toppings. Expect sandwiches of delicious roast beef – marinated, roasted and sliced in her own kitchen – and marinated chicken, roast vegetables with cream cheese and fresh herbs.

The salads range from crispy green salads, to healthy rice, lentil and chickpea salads to roast vegetables. “I love adding different herbs to my food and trying different combinations. There will be something new every day,” says Boshoff. Food and cooking are in Boshoff’s blood. Her mother ran a restaurant in Namibia – so she learnt the ropes from a young age and has worked in the catering industry for nearly ten years. “It’s time for me to run my own restaurant,” she says. “I am a farm girl – but I love the Central City of Cape Town. Long Street is fascinating – full of cosmopolitan people. I love being here.” The interior décor is a treat – blue embossed wallpaper and her favourite Winslow Homer print on the wall. It’s a place where you will feel immediately at home. The restaurant will soon be selling deli items like Boshoff’s home-made preserves, chutneys, ﬂavoured sugars and other items. Olivia Eats is at 210 Long Street. The restaurant will deliver meals anywhere in the Central City.

Meet me at YOURSTRULY If you’re wondering what the buzz at 175 Long Street is all about, it’s because people are fast discovering Daniel Holland’s vibey new eating spot, YOURSTRULY. The restaurant, which opened at the end of last year, has already become a popular venue for good coffee, gourmet sandwiches, pastries and networking. Holland (24), who qualified as a textile designer and then worked as a graphic designer, always wanted to run his own restaurant. By the time he turned 23 he decided that the nine-to-five hours of graphic design were not for him. Having also worked as a waiter, he had learnt a great deal about hospitality. “I wanted to be in the Central City. I love the vibe here. The concept behind my store is

youthful and subversive,” he says. “I want this place to be an accessible platform for people to come and network and socialise.” YOURSTRULY is also a gallery space which features a new local art exhibitor every month. “In the future, we also hope to sell fresh flowers and fruit in the store as well,” says Holland. Another vision he has for the restaurant is for it to become a New York-type newspaper café, where people can sit with a range of international magazines and newspapers and catch up with what’s going on in the world. In true entrepreneurial style, Holland offers another service which is proving to be popular: free shoe-shining outside the shop. “I do it myself and I don’t charge,” he says with a smile.

Open 6 am to 4pm Monday to Friday and 9 am to 2pm on Saturdays. Phone : 021 422 3788.

Photos: supplied

OLIVIA EATS – a haven of home cooking

Olivia Eats, 210 Long Street Open from 7:30am to 4pm every weekday. Call 021 422 1318 Staff at YOURSTRULY

March 2011

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CityViews

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RESTAURANT

A series featuring chefs who are doing great things in the Central City. Giorgio Nava of 95 Keerom

customers and I am gathering new customers all the time. People eat here, they eat well and they recommend the restaurant to others. Giorgio Nava

talian-born chef Giorgio Nava is firmly established as one of the Central City’s best chefs. He runs Carne restaurant in Keerom Street as well as the Down South restaurant at 267 Long Street. He is also set to open the Land Bank building at 54 Queen Victoria Street as a function venue for weddings, fashion shows, launches and exhibitions. Also look out for Nava’s Mozzarella Bar at 51 Kloof Street, which specializes in mozzarella cheese – and his Café Milano at 153 Kloof Street, an Italian patisserie. Who comes to 95 Keerom?

People who are looking for good Italian food. Our customers are 60 percent local and 40 percent foreign. With the Supreme Court close by, we see a number of legal people over lunch time. How did the restaurant evolve?

I arrived in Cape Town ten years ago and opened the restaurant two years later. It became popular quickly because the quality and the service are consistent and because I am always here. Through the years, I have attracted many regular

What’s on the menu at 95 Keerom?

We have all the classic Italian meat and fish dishes and a large selection of pasta and Italian desserts. What brought you to the Central City of Cape Town?

When I arrived ten years ago, I could see the opportunity. The Central City was turning around - moving and improving - and property was very cheap. What has been your experience in the Central City?

Having a restaurant in the Central City is convenient for many people – for those coming from the Atlantic Seaboard, the Southern Suburbs and other outlying areas as well as for those who work in the Central City. This is the perfect location for everybody.

What are some of your favourite ingredients?

I only cook with fresh ingredients. I love fresh fish and fresh herbs. The restaurant is supplied by an organic producer contracted by me. Most of the meat comes from my two farms in the Karoo. I used to have boats to supply the restaurant, and am still in touch with the fishermen we worked with then. That’s where we get all our fish.

What trends do you foresee in food in the next year or two?

The trend for the next couple of years will be towards value for money in food. People want to eat what they order. They don’t want any extra fancy items on their plate. Another trend is to see different cuts like liver, brains, kidney, sweetbreads on the menu. For example, sardines have always been considered a poor fish, but now they’re very trendy. Where do you eat in the Central City, besides your own restaurants?

Photo: Anita van Zyl

Photos: Anita van

Zyl

Great Chefs of Cape Town

Bizerca, Bukhara, Aubergine.

What are your favourite spots in the Central City?

I go to the National Gallery often – as well as to all the museums, galleries and exhibitions.

Has the Central City changed over the past ten years?

Absolutely. I have seen a huge improvement. Lots of people are moving to live here, and they need groceries, restaurants, bars etc. That’s why, in the last few months, I have invested in a few new businesses, and plan to invest more. I believe there is more potential in the Central City than any other area in Cape Town.

Tell us about your newish restaurant, Down South, at 267 Long Street?

The concept is prawns and ribs based. The cuisine is typically New Orleans, with very spicy, good quality food and a friendly vibe.

Grilled asparagus with rocket, parmesan and fried chicken egg

20 asparagus spears 100g rocket 50g shaved parmesan 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil 75ml clarified butter 4 free range chicken eggs

Gently rinse the asparagus to remove dirt. Remove the woody end of the stalk and peel halfway up the stalk from the base up. Blanch in boiling salted water and refresh immediately in iced water. Wash the rocket well and dry. Heat a grill pan till hot. In a non-stick pan heat the butter. Cook the asparagus and the eggs at the same time. Season

and oil the asparagus and place in the grill pan to mark and heat. Meanwhile fry the eggs ensuring that the yolks stay runny. Place grilled asparagus onto plates. Place a soft fried egg over the heads of the asparagus. Lightly dress the rocket and mix in shaved parmesan. Place over the base of the asparagus. Serve immediately with a sprinkle of sea salt .

TRy EURODOLLAR for a fresh dynamic in bureau de change There’s a fresh dynamic in the bureau de change industry – and the Central City is one of the beneficiaries. While the industry in South Africa has evolved in a measured form since 1994, it did not see any new entrants for nearly a decade, says Denzil Chalmers, CEO of EuroDollar Foreign Exchange. According to Chalmers, the nature of competition – dominated by a couple of major tourist industry owned franchises and banks - had become quite predictable. “However, since December 2009 the South African Reserve Bank has licensed four new entrants and there are now thirteen licensed bureaux de change or Authorised Dealers in Foreign Exchange with Limited Authority. In June last year EuroDollar Foreign Exchange was granted such a license. “EuroDollar offers a dynamic alternative to the bureau de change land-

scape,” says Chalmers. “It offers all travel-related foreign currency services to individual and business travellers as well as to tourism industry businesses.” Eurodollar’s first two branches were recently opened in the Cape Town CBD, one on the lower level of Picbel Parkade Mall and the other in the Caldis Building at 57 Long Street. Chalmers says the company intends to consolidate a branch network in Cape Town by opening at least two more branches during 2011 while building a national footprint organically over the next three years with a visions of become a leading foreign exchange brand by that time. “EuroDollar has deployed industryleading point-of-sale technology into its branches and this gives it a competitive edge against some of the established players. This is complemented by a very knowledgeable and highly experienced

team and a business model that offers hugely competitive deals. EuroDollar is ready and determined to ensure that its clients experience a much higher level of service than they have come to expect from other foreign exchange providers. In fact, the branches have already exceeded the expectations of many of Cape Town’s foreign tourists and of course, several local leisure and business travellers,” says Chalmers. Are you a new retailer in the CBD? Or have you moved premises recently? We want to keep in touch and to help you spread the word. Send us your details, including the name of your outlet, what business you do as well as your address and contact details, and we will put the word out in City Views.

Euro Dollar outlet, Caldis building, 57 long street

town

CityViews

Notes from a

Comedy Wild side

ahatma Gandhi once said: “If I had no sense of humour, I would, long ago, have committed suicide.” I have always felt that Gandhi and I have a lot in common. Apart from the fact that we could both quite easily slip into a dhoti (not to be confused with a roti) we are not easily provoked. At least that’s what I thought until I invited my comically challenged friend, Jenny, to accompany me to watch the new comedian on the block, Dylan Skews, in his first one man show, Skews Me. “Excuse me?” Jenny replied. “Skews Me” I shouted.“Excuse Me” she said again…this went on for quite some time. Finally we agreed to meet at the new On Broadway Theatre in Long Street. I waited patiently downstairs at the restaurant. The staff were friendly and the menu seemed reasonably priced. In keeping with the comedy theme, I ordered the cheese platter for two and decided to check Facebook on my phone (a foolproof way to look busy while you are being stood up). I noticed Jenny’s status: “In Broadway in New York about to watch a show”. I commented that she was at the wrong On Broadway and she should get on the first plane back to Cape Town. “The one in Green Point?” she replied. “No it’s moved to the City Centre,” I retorted before she

hit back with: “Oh Shortmarket Street?” I finally slayed her with: “It moved again to Long Street”. The staff informed me that the show was about to start. I paid my bill and walked next door to Boo Radleys, a quaint pub with beautiful leather couches and checkered

Anne Hirsch

ﬂoors. I had a shot of tequila to calm my nerves and suddenly remembered I hate tequila (the Mexican devil drink) and that it makes me feel quite ill. The barman then offered me a Suitcase instead. I explained that I already had a handbag and that the theatre was just upstairs, I wouldn’t need any luggage. He explained that a “Suitcase” was in fact a shot of whiskey and passion fruit. I apolo-

gised and took him up on his offer. I slowly made my way up to the theatre. As I arrived the last of the audience members, still hysterical with laughter, were leaving the venue. The show was over. I cursed Jenny, tequila and luggage and asked the staff if I could have a peek at the stage. It’s a beautiful theatre, with thick red curtains surrounding the 200 raked seats. There was nobody around and I decided to jump onto stage and sing Celine Dion’s All by myself. Suddenly I was ushered out by a friendly yet stern front of house manager. I explained to them that my best friend stood me up for America, that I can’t hold my liquor and that I had to write about their venue. They offered me two tickets to Big Boys don’t Dance – a dance/comedy on at On Broadway (the one in Long Street) in March. I thanked them and called a taxi. I got home, de-friended Jenny instantly on Facebook and then tweeted about taxi drivers who don’t stick to the speed limit in town. I woke up with a hangover, sent a friend request to Jenny and tweeted about how I shouldn’t tweet after drinking.

Big Boys don’t Dance is on for one week only, 1 – 5 March 2011. R95 per person. On Broadway, 44 Long Street. Show starts 8:30 pm. Book @ 021 424 1194.

Creatives show support for

WORLD DESIGN CAPITAL BID 2014

Design Indaba WDC 2014 stand

At the recent Design Indaba Expo, this stand, sponsored by Cape Town Tourism, supported the City of Cape Town’s bid for World Design Capital 2014, by encouraging delegates and other visitors to leave their comments as to why they thought Cape Town was a “Design City”. The bid is being coordinated for the City by the Cape Town Partnership and will reach the international judging committee in Canada by the end of March – accompanied by many of the comments left behind by the ever-growing “tribe” of WDC 2014 supporters. Cape Town will know by the end of the year if its bid has been successful.

FOCUS ON

My Cape Town: Natalie Becker Award-winning actress, voice artist and presenter Natalie Becker has worked in film, television and radio. She won a South African Film and Television Award (SAFTA) for Best Supporting Actress in a Feature Film for her role in The World Unseen and has performed with some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, including John Malkovich in Disgrace, and William H. Macy and Meg Ryan in The Deal. She was also voted one of the world’s sexiest women by FHM magazine. What work are you doing at the moment? CV

I am an actress, writer, speaker and ambassador for a number of social development, and life skills projects. I am in the process of launching a brand new interactive multimedia website. My BBC movie Atlantis is due out shortly. NB

CV What are your plans for your life in the months ahead?

2010 was a year of big change and shifts for me. I left my radio and TV shows to move to the NB

next level of expansion of my career globally. Moving out of one’s comfort zones is never easy but it’s worth it. I cleared my life, space and energy of things that were no longer serving me and I’m travelling light. 2010 was a year of fearlessness and of planting new seeds. 2011 will continue that journey of holding my vision strong and living as authentically, passionately, blissfully and fully as possible.

NB I don’t drink coffee. It would be tea at the Taj Hotel! They have a brilliant selection and it is a great ritual.

CV What are your favourite design features of Cape Town?

CV What are your favourite night spots in the Central City?

NB Wow! The City has so many architectural inﬂuences. I really enjoy the new Taj Hotel with its fascinating mixture of heritage and modernism. It is classic with a modern twist

NB Cape to Cuba in Long Street – and any venues with great live music.

Hong Kong is also impressive for its scale and modernity. What is your favourite Central City restaurant? CV

Haiku

What is your top coffee spot in the Central City? CV

Where do you prefer to shop in Cape Town? CV

In the little boutiques.

What are your favourite cities abroad and what have you learnt from them?

What are the best-kept secrets of Cape Town?

NB I love NYC which feels like a city of possibilities, where anything can happen. It has an aliveness that fuels you and is eclectic and culturally diverse.

NB It’s seductive and has a siren call, making visitors fall in love with her and turning their week - long vacation into months and sometimes years.

CV If you could pass any law in the city, what would you do?

I would make recycling mandatory and easy. NB

CV What would you do with visitors from out of town to show off the Central City? NB I’d take them for a walk in the Company’s Garden, visit the Iziko Museum and then for tea at the Taj. CV What is the trait you like most about Capetonians? NB

Their diversity.

CV If you could choose to live anywhere else in the world where would it be?

I wouldn’t choose just one place. There are so many to explore, so it would be to travel freely and live wherever I wanted. NB

March 2011

Photo: Skye Grove, CTT