Bo-Kaap Civic clarifies role in development
The Bo-Kaap Civic and Ratepayers’ Association said they are not selling property at the Paradigm development going up at 100 Buitengracht Street.
A poster sent via WhatsApp lists members of the BKCRA as contacts for people interested in purchasing an apartment at this development.
According to Osman Shaboodien, chairman of the Bo-Kaap Civic and Ratepayers’ Association, they are simply raising awareness of the sales.
“We not selling any flats we merely making our community aware of the opportunity. The developers agents are selling and we are assisting the developer to sell 20% (of the apartments) to residents of Bo-Kaap at an affordable price, so we are the contact person for the residents,” Mr Shaboodien said.
“We must still meet with the developers to discuss what the affordable price will be for the Bo-Kaap residents and we want to discuss the way forward in terms of jobs for local residents at the Paradigm,” he said.
The Paradigm is expected to be an 18-storey, 40-metre high residential complex with 243 units offering panoramic views.
When the Atlantic Sun asked about the civic association opposing another proposed development on Buitengracht Street - plans for a hotel near the historic Auwal mosque - but endorsing the Paradigm, Mr Shaboodien said fighting against the City of Cape Town is futile (“Bo-Kaap residents reject plans for hotel near Auwal mosque”, Atlantic Sun, August 1).
“It is extremely disappointing fighting against a City and system that is determined to destroy the very existence of Bo-Kaap by not upholding up our heritage protection overlay, giving the developers the right to build according its zoning,” said Mr Shaboodien.
Eddie Andrews, the City's deputy mayor and Mayoral committee member for spatial planning and environment, said the City has no role or comment on the matter between the Paradigm and the involvement of the BKCRA.
Zainie Misbach, 77, has lived on nearby Rose Street for 44 years, said she is disappointed that the towering structure is being built.
“I will lose my view and the sunrise as well, so no sunshine in the morning. We objected to this when De Lille (Patricia) was the mayor. These buildings are stopping the wind from moving through Bo-Kaap and the places are heating up. I don’t think they considered the environmental impacts that these high-rise buildings bring, and my view is gone,” said Ms Misbach.
“I’m horrified that they actually got permission to build this in a place that is protected by the heritage laws. The Bo-Kaap attracts tourists and they are ruining it with these buildings. We protested against it before the lockdown, and then heard or saw nothing from them again. This year, without any information I just saw the construction starting and I was wondering what is being built here,” she said.
The Atlantic Sun reached out to the developers of the Paradigm but at the time of publishing there was no response.
