Sheila Camerer, Constantia Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association chairperson
The Constantia Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association (CRRA) has noted the letter from Omar Kherekar, Gamat Hoosain Kherekar and the trustees of the Kherekar Family Trust published in last week’s Constantiaberg Bulletin (“For the record”, February 20 2020).
We suggest that
these families should stop playing politics
with what is a land use issue.
While the CRRA is fully supportive of these families getting their land back and developing it in an appropriate manner, as we have repeatedly pointed out, we will continue to oppose developments on this land which do not comply with the City of Cape Town’s Southern District Plan as relates
to the Constantia Valley. Inappropriate development undermines Constantia’s status as a unique tourism destination – one of the top 6 in Cape Town and a significant job creator – as well as a heritage and leisure area for the benefit of all Cape Town’s citizens.
There are two issues that have to be separated:
1. Land restitution -which both parties agree on; and
2. Development of the land – where we agree that a commercial development next to the shopping centre makes sense.
Our differences lie in the impact of the development on Constantia. We would suggest that we sit around a table with the Kherekar’s and their development team so that we can arrive at a solution that serves all stakeholders. This is what our members expect of us.