Revoke permit for Maiden’s Cove

I HAVE just read to my utter dismay that the City has again permitted an organiser to book Maiden’s Cove for a New Year’s Eve function. The entire Maiden’s Cove will be off limits to the general public during this period.

For three years now Maiden’s Cove has been given over to this organiser for a New Year’s Eve party. Numerous letters of complaint to the council from locals and regular visitors have been ignored.

The situation has now gone from bad to worse. Whereas the two previous New Year’s Eve parties were only for New Year’s Eve, this coming holiday period the council has given permission for the organiser to have the exclusive use of Maiden’s Cove from December 27 up to and including December 31. Between Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. As with previous parties, dismantling and removing equipment goes on well into New Year’s Day.

I am appalled that the City could grant a permit for Maiden’s Cove during this period of the holiday season. Most people are on leave and look forward to being out with their families to the only safe and free braai recreational area along the Atlantic.

Families have been going to Maiden’s Cove for generations during the holiday season (especially between Christmas and New Year).

Perhaps Maiden’s Cove is regarded as an easy target because it is frequented predominantly by families of the previously disadvantaged and the notion that decisions made by the council, especially when it affects said persons are binding and cannot/shouldn’t be challenged. It is reminiscent of the apartheid era.

The City’s decision to grant this permit is not only inconsiderate but tramples on the tradition of generations of those who frequent Maiden’s Cove during this period.

Would the councillor responsible for Clifton/Maiden’s Cove/Camps Bay please have the permit revoked. Anonymous Lansdowne