Deal with our concerns, say Bo-Kaap residents

BO- KAAP residents gathered for a second mass iftar on the inner-city neighbourhood’s Wale Street last night, where their ward councillor responded to various concerns.

Iftar is the meal that Muslims have at the end of a day of fasting during the month of Ramadaan. Yesterday’s iftar, under the banner “Boeka for Bo-Kaap”, called on people from across the city to join a protest raising awareness about issues in the area.

Councillor Brandon Golding told residents he was planning a community meeting with city council officials who could answer their concerns in detail.

Among the issues they planned to finalise was declaring Bo-Kaap a national heritage site and sorting out parking for tourist buses on Buitengracht Street.

“I am going to ask for guidance from you,” said Golding.

Osman Shabodien, chairperson of the Bo-Kaap Civic Association, said their plight was for heritage protection and curbing of property developers that have been changing their landscape.

“We pray we may live the day to stay in Bo-Kaap. I’m born in this area and I’ve been living here all my life. Our fight is not a Bo-Kaap fight. This is an international fight,” said Shabodien.

“Our demand is that we must build decent housing for our people in the city. Our people must come back home.”

Councillor JP Smith, mayoral committee member for safety and social services, has been caught up in a spat with Bo-Kaap Rise (BKR) – a recently launched youth movement from the area.

BKR challenged Smith to release CCTV footage which he last week told Weekend Argus he had, which allegedly proved “sinister forces” were involved in protests in the area.

BKR spokesperson Shakirah Dramat said they were disturbed that “every time residents stand up against injustices, the City of Cape Town labels us in some or other way”.

“These accusations deflect from the actual matter at hand the community of Bo-Kaap continues to suffer.

“Many in the area have complained about the exorbitant rates they are forced to pay.”

Smith said his views were based on “one of the sources, from the Bo- Kaap community, (who) suggested some of the instigators had a gang affiliation”.

“It is impossible to expose such community sources as there is a high likelihood they will be victimised, threatened or harmed for coming forward,” he said.

“However, community members said that while residents who participated in protests walked back into the Bo-Kaap after the protests, these instigators can be seen in the video footage getting into vehicles departing from the community.”

He said: “as this footage will be part of criminal investigations, it cannot be shared with the public or media”.