Dear <<First Name>>,

In this short and sweet newsletter please find: 

  -   an update to the latest twists and turns in the saga of our High Court action 

  -   an invitation to bring your family and friends to celebrate the Full Moon tomorrow  

  -  and a job offer! 

Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow at 17.30 at the Two Rivers Urban Park mound opposite the entrance to the River Club. 

Warm regards 

Edwin Angless - LAC Communications 

Dear LAC Supporters 

A quick update: 

1. We are on track to go to court – The OCA lodged its papers with the High Court on the 2nd August 2021. We sought relief on two matters: (a) an urgent interdict to halt the construction on the site, whilst (b) the High Court considers a review under the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act of the decisions relating to the rezoning and environmental authorisation. Details are on our petition site and affidavits and letters of support on the OCA website. 

2. We alerted the developers that any alteration of the sites in the form of earthworks, excavation or construction whilst the interdict was pending, would be at their own risk. However, we have seen the developer ignore that fact and push ahead with their construction as fast as possible. 

3. Although our timeline was intended to get into court in August, in the interests of being reasonable, we have accepted that the respondents wanted a further period to prepare their responding affidavits, which will be submitted to us by the 23rd August. We will reply by the 30th August and a date will be fixed in September to hear part (a) of the matter – the urgent interdict. The wheels of legal processes grind slowly. 

4. Nevertheless, we are confident our case is strong enough and the courts will not be swayed by arguments related to economic benefits now by the rapidity with which the building is progressing. 

5. Additional to the interdict, the OCA lodged an appeal against the award of the Water Use License to permit infill of the Liesbeek River and the Riverine Valley. An appeal triggers an automatic suspension of the License. However, the LLPT approached the Minister to lift that suspension, which she did within a week of receiving our objections. We have yet to receive the Minister’s full and considered reasons and her letter indicating the lifting gave only the most perfunctory and unconsidered reasons. We believe that there are questions about the Minister’s action and what type of advice she was receiving. We will be taking up this matter with the new Minister Mchunu, who replace Lindiwe Sisulu in the recent cabinet reshuffle.  

6. As you know, Heritage Western Cape considered our application for Provincial Heritage Status for the Two Rivers Urban Park in July and agreed with our application that the TRUP deserves heritage protection. So much so, that they indicated that the TRUP should be a national heritage site and referred it to the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) for national heritage status consideration. We are actively liaising with the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) to ensure the Two Rivers Urban Park (TRUP), including the River Club site, is declared a national heritage site.   

7. We are organising a full moon walk this Sunday starting 5.30pm at the TRUP mound (corner Liesbeek Parkway and Observatory Road opposite Hartleyvale). Please see attached flyer. 

8. The OCA will be recruiting for a part-time organiser for the joint campaign – please share the attached advert with anyone you think suitable.  

9. Now is the time we need financial support so any assistance from other individuals or organisations will be very much appreciated. Either at our backabuddy site or directly to our campaign account: 

Mercantile Bank 

Account Name Observatory Civic Association 

Account number 1050926382 

Branch: Cape Town  

Branch Code: 450105  
See here

Many thanks 

Leslie 

The OCA is seeking a part-time organiser  

for the Liesbeek Action Campaign - #maketheliesbeekmatter 

Background: The Observatory Civic Association (OCA) is looking for a part-time organiser to support the campaign against the re-development of the River Club. The Campaign is comprised of members of a number of different Civics, NGOs and Khoi groups, but principally led by a partnership of the Observatory Civic Association, the Goringhaicona Khoi Khoi Traditional Council and the Two Rivers Urban Park Association. The partners are driving a public campaign to mobilise support against the development and for heritage and environmental protection, including a court action to take the approvals give by the City of Cape Town and DEADP to the High Court on review. 

The tasks of the Organiser include: 

1. Ensuring the campaign is able to maximise support by networking with organisations sharing opposition to the development 

2. Coordinating the activities of the various sub-groups of the campaign by ensuring that tasks are not dropped between groups 

3. Facilitating the operation of the Campaign 

• Facilitating meetings and minutes  

• Implementing campaign decisions  

• Supporting the distribution of communications and information 

• Supporting the production of campaign materials  

4. Admin 

• Update and organise google drives and the google groups 

• Updating websites  

• Distributing meeting invites, agendas and notes from the previous meeting 

• Feed relevant items to OCA comms  

5. Ensure the function of various sub-groups  

Skills and experience required: 

1. Strong organisational skills – demonstrable in having organised similar kinds of campaigns/activities 

2. High level of digital and IT skills 

3. Active in civil society space 

4. Networking skills 

5. Sensitivity to power dynamics in civil society campaigns 

Desirable skills and experience:  

1. Media or journalistic skills 

2. Participation with social movements or community struggles 

3. Identification with or understanding of Khoi history and heritage 

Duration: initial contract of 2 months, renewable dependent on funding  

Hours are variable and must be flexible  

Remuneration:  – R180 per hour up to an agreed maximum of R 15 000 pm 

Applications must include: 

-   a motivation letter explaining why they want the job and believe they have skills for the job; 

  -  evidence in a CV/portfolio of skills and experience for the job 

  -  Contact details for three contactable referees  

A more detailed Job Description is available on request. 

Applications must be sent to: info@obs.org.za by no later than 27th August 2021 

For Volunteering to sell the T-shirts. 

You can collect them after 12 noon any day at Ferdinandos Pizza 205 Lower Main Rd. We have created packs for you. You will need to sign them out. 

T-shirt sales are R200 . 

I am placing the Snapscan code here so people purchasing can directly see this image and use Snapscan or you can take the cash and either donate directly to our bank or drop the cash with Joy   +27 (72) 949-4600   In Trill road observatory.

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