Eviction order prompts move for Cape Town Partnership
EMBATTLED Cape Town Partnership has decided to move to cheaper lodgings following an eviction order for failing to pay rent after the City pulled the funding rug from under it.
The organisation, which was formerly based in Bree Street, will move to an affordable office space.
“As the Cape Town Partnership is transitioning to a start-up, we’ve had to scale down our operations quite dramatically. This means we’ve had to house ourselves in a more affordable space,” said chief executive Bulelwa Makalima-Ngewena. At the moment work is still continuing, according to Makalima-Ngewena.
“This is where we are now: out and about, meeting people where they work, rather than inviting them to our offices,” she said. In many ways we’re in a greenfield environment, but we are bolstered by the relationships, skills, and infrastructure we’ve constructed in the past,” said Makalima-Ngewena.
Greenfield land is regarded as the ultimate for town planners as it does not need to consider prior developments or pre-existing structures on a site.
Earlier this year The Cape Argus reported on Cape Town Partnership’s financial woes. It emerged that the City of Cape Town had decided to stop funding the business. It also emerged that the staff of the organisation were put on special leave, and landlord Growth Point had given them notice of eviction for not paying rent. Staff contracts have not been renewed. The board is working with a small core of voluntary staff members. – Staff Reporter
FOR THE past 12-and-a-half years, I’ve called Bree Street my home away from home. When I started at the Cape Town Partnership (CTP), Bree Street was nothing more than a wind tunnel running through the CBD. I remember thinking on my first day, that as clean as the street looked at the time, what was missing were people. There were a few shops, at least at the end of the street where our offices were. The shops sold mainly motorcycle parts and so on. I’d spent four years before that working at the Centre for Conflict Resolution, which was then at UCT’s Hiddingh campus opposite the Labia Theatre. This was a different world, with well-established restaurants nearby.
In many ways, working at CTP was a way for me to re-embrace my profession as a town planner. I’d gone through a phase where I was disillusioned with the profession and its role in South Africa.
During apartheid, town planning was used to create zones between races and classes. At CTP, working towards the goal of establishing healthy urban centres with people at its core, it allowed me to embrace my competency as a town planner, while allowing me the creativity I needed to expand the horizons of what that meant.
I’m struck by the feeling of loss that pervades the profession. I’ve been reminded of this every time I’ve spoken to town planners during the past few years. Some have given up on town planning. But back to 12 years ago. New to Bree Street, I had to adjust to an area that had one restaurant that I frequented fairly regularly. Over time, along with parts of the street, our corner of Bree Street began to transform.
The chic glass Portside building anchored the bottom of the road, while numerous eateries popped up, some with outdoor seating. I’ve come to know the staff of several of these establishments, including the salon where I have my nails done and which I’ve recommended to my colleagues and visitors to Cape Town.
Looking back, I realise that many parts of Bree Street have become tight-knit communities and the bottom part has become mine.
As CTP is transitioning to a start-up, we’ve had to scale down our operations. This means we’ve had to house ourselves in a more affordable space. Leaving our old offices has felt like a loss but this is balanced by a feeling of optimism as we head into a new phase. Ironically, work is pouring in, partners are asking for services, meetings are taking place.
This is where we are now: out and about, meeting people where they work, rather than inviting them to our offices.
Greenfield land is regarded as the ultimate for town planners as it does not need to consider prior developments or pre-existing structures on a site. In many ways, as we embark on this exciting entrepreneurial phase, we’re in a greenfield environment, but we are bolstered by the relationships, skills and infrastructure we’ve constructed and I believe the foundation is stable.
I am proud that through the institution’s work, I’ve been able to redefine for myself what it means to be a town planner. I’ve learnt that town planning cannot be confined into conventional paradigms; it can be broader than that. I am grateful to CTP for giving me the platform and opportunity to learn these lessons firsthand.
I’ve discovered that the assumption that town planning is about land is a misconception. Town planning is about people – and it is people that matter most.
During the past 12 and a half years, I’ve worked with many people. All of them have contributed towards making CTP the institution it was and will be in its next phase of operation. Together, we’ve redefined what an agency such as ours should be. We’ve made amazing gains out of few resources and CTP’s legacy will live on, in whatever direction we take or name we call ourselves.
What has been outstanding has been the overwhelming messages of support we’ve received since first announcing these impending changes. Some of these have resulted in new and/or ongoing relationships.
It’s been so overwhelming that it’s been impossible to respond to everyone. I’d, therefore like to dedicate this newsletter to all those who’ve been in touch. All of those who are cheering us on as we move into the next phase.
My team have remained cheerful and supportive. They are helping in many ways, big and small, to reshape the future of the institution.
Pretty flowers, a room with a view, fancy furniture and a buzzing environment are all nice-to-haves.
As I shut the door on our Bree Street offices, I can’t help but think that the old adage is true: when one door closes, another one opens. Watch this space!