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Trial By Fire – Fire Safety In Cape Town’s Summer

Cape Town fires - creative commons
Cape Town fires: Creative Commons

Cape Town’s fire season occurs from November through to May which are our hottest, and driest months. Together with our beloved south-easterly “Cape Doctor” – which adores clearing our city of pollution – these arid conditions create ideal opportunities for wildfires to spark and quickly rage out of control. 

From our homes and businesses to our beloved Table Mountain National Park, there are various organisations in place to manage fire safety and intervene both to avoid fires and to control them when they happen. 

It’s true that fires are a part of the South African landscape and occur naturally in grasslands, woodlands, fynbos, and sometimes in indigenous forests. However, there has been a disastrous loss of natural diversity in our fynbos ecosystem and an invasion of Australian wattles, Eucalypts and Mediterranean pines. Now, our fires burn hotter for longer and each fire destroys more than the last. Meaning it’s more important now than ever to actively keep your home, family and business safe and to protect the life and value they hold. 

Home and Work Checklist for Fire Safety

  • Ember-proofing any area, requires the removal of all flammable plants up to 7m from a building, as well as overhanging branches. Checking and cleaning gutters and roofing for debris is important too. 
  • Always remember, your safety is first and if you are not properly trained, call for assistance. 
  • Make sure that all your insurance documents and other important documentation are backed up securely to the cloud.
  • Assign tasks to staff and run fire drills so that everyone is prepared in an emergency.
  • If you need to stay and help fight fires, cover your head, nose and mouth and protect your eyes with goggles. Wear good shoes and gloves.
  • If you have access to water, wet the roof and gutters to stop hot ash from burning the roof.
  • Keep grass cut as short as possible as it helps slow the fire.
  • Keep a hose pipe rolled up and ready.
  • Keep fire extinguishers around that are regularly maintained and train your staff on how to use them safely and correctly.

Other interventions that you can implement on a larger scale include considering your construction materials if you are remodelling and supplementing them for fire-resistant alternatives. You should also ensure full continued compliance with all local and national fire safety codes and think about installing fire protection systems such as overhead sprinklers. 

Unfortunately, despite all the precautions, a fire can happen to any size business at any time. That is why protecting your employees and your property should be a top priority. Following the above steps will help you avoid any fires breaking out and minimise fire-related damages. While there may be no such thing as truly “fireproof,” these guidelines are an excellent starting point for safeguarding your business. 

Additional Resources

Preventing fires in the Western Cape

City of Cape Town  –  Basic Household Fire Safety

Fire is Everyone’s Fight Toolkit of guidelines and posters with lesson plans

Sanparks  –  Fire management / Table Mountain National Park Fire Management Plan

Contact information for  the Fire and Rescue Service Department

  • 24-hour emergencies: 107 (landline) or 021 480 7700 (cellphone)
  • General fire safety enquiries: 021 590 1971 / 021 590 1975
  • To report a fire : Hotline: 086 110 6417 or The City’s Regional Fire Control No: (021) 590 1900
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Welcoming a new year, new challenges and new triumphs

As we charge into 2022, there is undeniable trepidation surrounding the new challenges and triumphs the year will bring. This year we will continue to create an urban ecosystem that is safe, accessible and inviting to all the workers, visitors and community members of our district. As in years before, we are unwavering in our commitment to the property and business owners of our area and intend to consolidate and elevate our services based on the successes of last year.  

In 2022 we strive to:  

  • Create a safe and clean public environment by addressing issues of maintenance and by cleaning our streets, pavements and public spaces.  
  • Increase public safety through proactive visible patrolling and by supporting the efforts of the SAPS, City of Cape Town and private security providers.  
  • Manage existing and new public infrastructure for the future benefit of our community members.   
  • Decrease property-related crime to protect community members through our security-related partnerships and to protect property values to attract new investment to the area.  
  • Support the promotion of the businesses in our area by implementing urban greening, promoting energy efficiency initiatives, widening our recycling networks and bettering our risk and disaster management services.  
  • Support and promote social responsibility in the area and assist with the management and upliftment of people living on the streets.  
  • Encourage the maintenance and upgrading of private properties and public spaces in the area. 

We believe in the heart of our institution that the challenges we face are not insurmountable. 

Together with the City of Cape Town, our partners, outreach initiatives and local business owners, we will continue to strive towards reinvigorating our urban environment. Ultimately, together we can create a stable, safe, clean area that is prosperous for our community both economically and socially.  

Headlines from the City  

The City of Cape Town warns to be aware of scammers posing as electricity officials to gain access to your wallet and home. All officials will have an identification card with the City logo, with their name and surname and a photo. If you have any doubts call the COCT on 0860 103 089 to confirm their ID and work order number. 

The City of Cape Town urges their suppliers to be cautious of fake Request for Quotation (RFQ) emails sent to them, as if it is being sent from the City. Please report any suspicious emails to the City for further investigation.  

Struggling to pay your rates and taxes? The City of Cape Town has a wide range of financial relief options available. To learn more, click  here.   

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MEET OUR TEAM

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Strand BID AGM 2020

The Strand Business Improvement District NPC will be hosting its Annual General Meeting and all stakeholders are invited to a review of the year’s activities and planning for 2021/22.

Date: 4 November 2020
Time: 15:00
Venue: Friedman and Cohen, Corner of Main Road and Wesley Street, Strand.

Resolutions presented at the AGM can only be voted on by bona fide members of the Strand Business Improvement District NPC (See Membership List). This membership is available free of charge to all owners of commercial and industrial property within the Strand Business Improvement District footprint, but they must be registered before 28 October 2020.

Please confirm your attendance / non-attendance by email to info@strandbid.co.za. If you are not the registered owner of the property, kindly forward this notice to the registered owner immediately.

DUE TO THE COVID-19 REGULATIONS ON PUBLIC MEETINGS WE WOULD LIKE TO URGE YOU AS MEMBERS TO RESPOND AND BOOK YOUR SEAT FOR THE AGM
IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND THE AGM WE URGE YOU TO USE THE PROXY FORM ATTACHED AND AVAILABLE ON THE STRAND BID WEBSITE – AGM PAGE TO PROVIDE FOR A REPRESENTATIVE OR MANDATE THE CHAIRPERSON BY PROXY TO REPRESENT YOU AS A MEMBER
WE NEED TO ENSURE WE HAVE A QUORUM FOR THE AGM

Please confirm your attendance / non-attendance by email to info@strandbid.co.za by no later than 28 October 2020

• Attendees need to print their own documents as prints will not be available at the meeting.
• The Minutes of the previous meeting, Annual Financial Statement will be displayed but not handled by attendees.
• All persons must have their hands sanitised on entering the venue.
• All attendees to wear a mask.
• Attendees must adhere to social distancing requirements during the meeting and if possible have one open chair between attendees.
• All attendees to bring their own pen for the signing of the attendance register.

For further information, AGM documentation and how to register go to www.strandbid.co.za or e-mail info@strandbid.co.za or call 021 565 0901

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Guide on how to Apply for a new, lost or stolen wheelie bin.

Apply for a new bin

The registered property owner or property managing agent must download and fill in the Supply of Services Application Form (English | Afrikaans | isiXhosa). Please ensure that you fill in all the sections related to refuse removal.

If you are renting, you will need to submit a letter of authority from the property owner or managing agent with your application form.

Click Here to guide.

Replace a stolen or damaged bin

If your bin has been stolen, you will need to report the theft of your bin at the nearest SAPS office to obtain an affidavit.

Click Here to guide.

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Strand BID and Future Strand share a new online home

In an effort to continue keeping this special seaside town inviting to both residents and visitors, Strand BID has partnered with an exciting new initiative called Future Strand.

While the BID will continue the good work its been doing with keeping the streets clean and safe, Future Strand wishes to nurture a renewed sense of community within the town.

Read more

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PHOTO COMPETITION: Send us your best Strand pics

To celebrate the launch of our brand new SBID x Future Strand website, we’ll be running a special photo competition for everyone who loves this special seaside town as much as we do! We’re looking for beautiful images that capture the magic of Strand – summery beach scenes, spectacular sunsets, the hustle and bustle of […]

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From icon to invalid: a timeline of the Strand Jetty

Iconic landmark synonymous with the Strand. Anyone who lived/spent vacations in Strand prior to the early 2000s would remember strolling along it and watching the fisherman patiently waiting for their day’s catch.

It was the spot you went to eat your ice cream and no doubt had its fair share of romantic moonlight strolls.

All in all, a far cry from the unattractive, tattered ruin that remains today.

The question on many lips is: what happened and will it ever be fixed?

We chatted to the Environmental Management Department at the City of Cape Town to gain some insight.

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Strand skoner, veiliger danksy SBID: Pluspunt vir toekomsvisie!

Sedert die instelling van die SBID (‘Strand Business Improvement District) ‘n paar jaar gelede, heers die algemene mening dat die sakesentrum van die dorp beslis ‘n skoner en veiliger plek vir almal is, en statistieke bevestig dit ook.

Dit dek as ‘t ware die tafel vir die ‘Future Strand’-inisiatief om aan planne te werk wat die Strand hopelik ook ‘n nóg gewilder woon-, werk- en beleggingskeuse sal maak.

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Strand beachfront: skateboarding as vehicle for citizen-led initiatives

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word ‘Strand’?

The beachfront, undoubtedly.

Since holidays first became a thing in South African society, Strand has drawn crowds – people in search of the soothing lapping of saltwater and endless stretches of white sand. Before this – and still today – it also served as a sought-after fishing and foraging spot, a place to gather delicacies from the deep.

In between, it has also gathered a reputation as a popular surf spot and – with the recent refurbishment of the promenade and seawall – an excellent place for a scenic jog.

But is the beachfront’s full potential really being harnessed? This question has been weighing heavily on Heinrich Rohwer, a local whose passion for watersports and skateboarding leads him to believe a lot can be done to make this public space even more welcoming.

Read more

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