Recently I had the opportunity to visit Cape Town and the potential benefits of City Improvement Districts and other legal avenues to facilitate public and private sector cooperation to improve a city was highlighted. This approach is in line with the DA “whole of society” approach to governance, a approach that is needed both in areas where the DA has stabilised governance such as City of Cape Town as well as in areas where the DA takes over from collapsed ANC governments, as may well be the case in the country and various provinces after the national and provincial elections.
The examples of successful public and private cooperation gives hope in the face of a paralysed government and highlight why the DA is encouraging every South African to register in the last few days left before the voters roll closes by visiting check.da.org.za to enable them to VOTE TO RESCUE SOUTH AFRICA
The Cape Town Central City Improvement District “Cape Town CCID” is a not-for-profit private-public company that operates in a 1.6 km² geographical area in the traditional Central Business District (CBD) of Cape Town. It is mandated by stakeholders to manage and promote what is known as “town” in partnership with the City of Cape Town and describes itself as follows “
The term “city improvement district” (CID) refers to a specific geographical area, approved by the City Council in terms of the municipal Property Rates Act, Section 22 (Special Rates Area [SRA]), and the SRA bylaw, in which complementary top-up services are provided in addition to those rendered by the CID’s primary partners. In the case of the CCID, these are the City of Cape Town and the South African Police Services. The areas in which the CCID offers such top-up services are: Safety & Security, Urban Management and Social Development. The CCID also has a Communications department.
A non-profit organisation, the CCID operates with its own board of directors and liaises across both the public and private sectors, working together with each to develop, promote and manage the Cape Town Central City.
As a result, the Cape Town Central City is considered today to be South Africa’s most vibrant and safest CBD.
The CCID operates in the traditional downtown of the city across an area measuring 1.6km². It stretches from Buitensingel to FW de Klerk Boulevard, and from Buitengracht to Canterbury Street.
Photo taken by Mangaung councillor Tjaart van der Walt with CTCCID safety official in a coffee shop in a tourist hotspot on a visit to Cape Town in 2023
CTCCID Caravan situated in the CBD of Cape Town which has grown into a tourist hotspot in the city in the past two decades
CTCCID cleaning on a busy pedestrian walkway in the CBD, the CBD is notably cleaner than most other CBDs in South Africa
Security is visible on virtually every corner in the CBD giving pedestrians a sense of safety that has long been lost in most CBDs in South Africa
Alleys and walkways are attractive to tourists as much as locals with a wide variety of shops, controlled informal trading areas that protect and attract both the traders as well as consumers
Well planned pedestrianised routes serve as attractions for tourists and bustling business and creativity
Well controlled marketplace for informal trading boosts business and entrepreneurship and attracts business to the CBD
Tourists, pedestrians and restaurant patrons enjoy the music and dancing of a local musical group
Clean, neat and well planned and managed public spaces attract visitors and economic stimulus to the CoCT in a partnership between the CoCT and CIDs such as CTCCID. These partnerships are unfortunately only possible and sustainable in a city that is governed well and where there is trust and strong collaboration between public and private sector, such as the DA governed City Of Cape Town
Work on a pedestrian subway progressing, with clear control over the site to ensure safety of pedestrians, road users and workers
Iconic views taken during a red bus tour through the City
Refreshing views and signs of a first world, well governed city that is growing and attracting investment and has half the unemployment rate of Mangaung Metro
The business opportunities created by such well managed areas are endless
It is a unnatural feeling to be walking alone, in a CBD surrounded by strangers and to feel safe enough to take out your phone and take a picture to capture the memories without fearing that your phone could be grabbed at any second. I always advise people to remain safety conscious at all times though
Councillor Tjaart van der Walt 