Unarmed Obs guard chases shooting robbers

OBSERVATORY Improvement District security guard Henry Moyeni, 37, was in the sixth hour of his shift when he passed two young men in Trill Road who greeted him cheerfully. Little did he know that in less than five minutes he would be ducking for his life in a wild chase after them.  
After passing the men, Henry entered James Road where a man rushed hysterically towards him shouting that his shop, the Mini Market in Station Road, had just been armed robbed. 
Henry realised that men he had just passed may be the robbers, and gave chase down Lower Main Road.
He caught up with them at Sussex Road, where Henry, just three metres away from the robbers, ducked for his life when one of them pulled out a gun and fired it. 
The robbers turned up Norfolk Road in the direction of KFC, and Henry followed cautiously. 
He radioed Ivor Manuel, the senior patroller on duty, to assist him from the patrol vehicle. Ivor radioed the Mowbray police who were in the area at the time. 
Henry was able to monitor the movements of the robbers and kept the others informed via radio. 
The police and patrollers met up at McDonalds and preceded to chase the robbers towards the Groote Schuur graveyard. 
The armed robber got stuck when he tried to scale the graveyard fence, and dropped the gun in the process. 
He was arrested and handed over to the Woodstock police, who found that he was a former SANDF soldier. 
The gun, 45 mm Griffin, belongs to the State. It contained seven bullets, five solid and two hollow. 
The second robber disappeared.
The patrollers found the robbers’ bag containing four black gloves, balaclavas, a few airtime vouchers and two rain suits with hoodies which the police says could be linked to a recent mugging. 
They had stolen R 1 000 from the till and R200's worth of airtime vouchers. 
Henry told ObsLife that he was very scared when the shots were fired, but continued nonetheless.
Charl Brooks, the manager of the Observatory Public Safety guards, praised the unarmed guard for going beyond the call of duty and said they would receive a reward.

Sad farewell to mobile clinic

THE Observatory Village Green was recently the last operational site of the Desmond Tutu Tester, a mobile testing station run by the Desmond Tutu Foundation.
The mobile clinic, which tested thousands of South Africans for high blood pressure, HIV, diabetes, hypertension, obesity and TB, has now officially shut down because of the withdrawal of funds from the US.

On a cold and dreary day, Observatory residents and employees lined up patiently to get tested at the mobile clinic, which was organised by the Observatory Improvement District.

The idea of the clinic was to provide a health check to the homeless residents in Obs, as well as to raise general in Observatory awareness about the importance of getting tested and going for regular health checks.

The homeless people who attended the testing each received a toiletry bag which was sponsored by residents and OBSID COO Ursula van Stavel.

The homeless people were tested for TB and have all passed the test and are TB negative.

Ursula said: “This should be done again as there is a great need.” 

Zille to inaugurate Obs chess board

Western Cape premier Helen Zille has confirmed that she will attend the inauguration of the completed communal chess board at the Station Bridge on 24 September.
The Observatory Improvement District (OBSID) is planning a community bring-and-braai at the giant chess board to celebrate its inauguration. OBSID COO Ursula van Stavel says it will be a child-friendly family event. All Obs residents are invited to bring braai or picnic paraphernalia and join in the festivities, which will begin at 9.30am and continue till 3pm.
The once dingy walkway under the Station Road bridge was given a face lift with bright mural art and the large chess board built for residents’ enjoyment.
Anthony Riley, a resident in Observatory, gave up of his time to build the chess board using large concrete slabs. Businesses in Observatory contributed to the project by donating a few hundred rands each to sponsor the giant chess pieces.
Plastic-timber benches were recently added as finishing touches of the project. Ursula says that the OBSID invested in plastic timber as part of its environmentally friendly approach.
With the project already costing OBSID R10 000, the painting of the pillars adjacent to the chess board fell outside of the available budget. Ursula called on businesses and residents to contribute towards the R1 500 needed to complete the beautification.
The chess pieces will be kept at the Social Issues Office of the OBSID at the Observatory Station, which is located some 50m from the chess board. Users will be required to put down a deposit of R50 to play a game of chess.
Ursula said Observatory Junior School's chess club will be using the chess board to practice and play tournaments.

Liesbeek River pollution concern

EXPERTS disagree on the seriousness of an exponential rise in e.coli bacteria in the Liesbeek River as measured opposite the Hartleyvale Stadium, which could indicate that Observatory’s creaking sewerage system is becoming dangerously old.
On the one hand, City officials seem to downplay the significance of the increase in the e.coli count, describing it to a recent Sub-council 15 meeting as “minor” and which is to be expected from a developed area.
On the other hand, Dr Kevin Winter from the Environmental and Geographical Science Department at the University of Cape Town described the increase measured from the year 2000 as an “eye-opener” and a “worrying factor”.
According to a report by the City’s directorate of Roads and Stormwater, water samples taken from the Liesbeek opposite Hartleyvale contained 90 to 950 “colony-forming units” of e.coli. And by 2012 the count had risen to a range of between 100 and 450 000 units.
The official report seems to downplay the increase, saying "the worsening trend is off a very low base". However, the report does state that the river is too polluted for swimming or fishing. The report says there are no environmental implications of the increase and does not recommend that any action be taken. It says that the Hartleyvale monitoring point is the only place shows an increase in e.coli.
In stark contrast, Kevin says: "The graph from the Scientific Services is excellent and a wake-up call for the Friends of the Liesbeek (an environmental organisation to which he belongs). We've taken our eye of the ball. The trend is disturbing."
He reckons the main reasons for the e.coli increase are “surface runoff (rainwater running into the river), storm water drains and from broken or leaking sewerage systems”.
The City report says the increase is "probably the result of periodic failures of an aging sewerage system in a very old catchment area."
However Kevin also reckons that "It is possible that efforts to improve habitat, for example allowing islands to form in the lake, means that there is more roosting grounds for water birds. A rise in e.coli may well be due to an increase in the bird population; an unintended consequence of improvements to the Liesbeek".
Experts says that the presence of e.coli is not necessary the problem, but that it is a useful measurement of the potential presence of other disease-causing organisms. Kevin said: "E.coli is not the problem, since our bodies have millions of e.coli in them. However, the e.coli is an indication of risk because pathogens are most likely to be associated with increasing counts."
However, e.coli may affect those with weakened immune systems in potentially developing a fatal type of kidney failure.

Hungry children in our midst

Residents will be surprised to learn that 590 learners are fed by the Peninsula School Feeding Association (PSFA) every school day at Observatory Junior School and Mary Kihn School for the blind in Observatory. Andy du Plessis, the director of the PSFA, said: "Only 40 Percent of these learners reside in Observatory and the surrounding areas." The feeding scheme comprises of two meals per day, breakfast three times per week and lunch five times per week.

PSFA feeds 326 600 children in the Western Cape. The department of education's subsidy feeds 295 000 children and the 31 600 children are fed from funds which have to be raised.
PSFA was first based in Loop Street Cape Town before relocating to Trill Road in Observatory in 1990. Andy du Plessis, said that they relocated here due to the parking and traffic congestion being an obstacle in Town. “We have found that Observatory is a convenient location to conduct business, as it is very central, without the traffic problems related to going into Cape Town. It is convenient for our donors, partners, and stakeholders to meet,” said Andy.

PSFA have been in operation since 1958, and survived solely from public donations until President Nelson Mandela started the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) in 1994.

PSFA serves the children in the schools in this community by providing nutritious meals. Andy du Plessis says: “Our presence in Obs softens the look and feel, along with other NPO's in the vicinity”.

The PSFA has five field workers who check up on the schools to see whether they are being fed the proper meals on each day and whether they are being fed on time. The children are fed different meals each day starting with, rice and lentil breyani with vegetables, samp and beans with fresh fruit, rice and soya mince with vegetables, rice and pilchards with vegetables and on a Friday, samp and soya mince with vegetables.

Dry products are delivered three times a term to the schools for their preparation. These schools recruit unemployed parents or volunteers are sent to help prepare the food for the children.

Obs residents can get involved by volunteering to cook at either Obs Junior or Mary Kihn School, or if unable to do so, you can adopt a child for a year, make a monthly donation, or you can adopt a school. Donations can be made online, www.psfa.org.za.

The offices in Observatory comprises of nine employees who form part of the admin staff. The double storey house which was converted into offices was bought by the PSFA when they moved from the CBD. Stephanie Le Mesurier PR and security of PSFA said: "We will remain here until...well a sad fact...there's no more hungry children to feed."

Battery theft back?

BATTERY theft seems to be on the rise once following a lull after a spate in which at least sixty batteries were stolen from cars parked in Observatory last year.
Frank Schuitemaker, an Obs resident who compiles local crime statistics drawn from the Obsid Public Safety patrollers, the Obs Neighbourhood Watch and word-of-mouth, has logged three battery thefts in August.
Scott Road was targeted recently, where a battery was stolen out of a resident’s bakkie. According to a neighbour, Debra West, this is the fourth time that this has happened and that it has cost her neighbours thousands of rands to replace.
Frank reports that motor vehicle theft has also increased to six cases from four in the previous month. The vehicles are mostly stolen at night.
Theft out of motor vehicles has decreased from a spike of 27 to 14 thefts over the past month. Frank says that half of these occurrence on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and half happen in the mornings.
Robberies have increased from seven to ten incidents in the last month. They seem to happen mostly on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Frank has also recorded 12 incidents of copper piping theft, mostly from Scott and Oxford Street.
Based in the figures, Frank has identified the following streets as crime "hot-spots" during August (the number of incidents in brackets): Lower main Road (26), Oxford Road (17), Scott Road (14), Station Road (11), Trill Road, Arnold and Polo Road (9 each), Milton Road (7), Rochester Road (6), and James Road, Donne Road, Main Road, Bowden Road, Irwell Street and Wrench Road (4 each).

7-Storey block going up in Howe Street

A MAJOR development on an empty plot of land in Howe Street will add no fewer than 123 apartments to Observatory’s slowing increasing number of living spaces.
Aquacor Property Developers, the company developing the two blocks of one- and two-bedroom flats, claims that 60% of the units have been sold off-plan already for prices ranging from R575 000 to R1,2m.
Aquacor’s Dustin Stringfellow assured Howe Street residents, who are unhappy about lack of parking in the street due to the presence of Woolworths Financial Services, that the development will have no impact on the parking situation. “All the parking will be within the property,” he said. There will basement parking for every resident, and one visitor’s parking space for every four flats.
The first of the blocks, a three-storey building, is set to be completed by May next year, while the second, a seven-storey giant, is due for completion in August next year.
Dustin said the development has drawn keen interest from investors who want to rent out the flats. 

Traffic Indaba

The Observatory Improvement District (OBSID) is holding a major “traffic indaba” at the Observatory Community Centre in October at which the community can get first-hand feedback from the authorities on perennial traffic problems plaguing the suburb.
Some of the sorest pain points of life in Observatory relate to traffic, including speeding, illegal parking, broken or non-visible traffic signs, congestion and huge trucks from the industrial side of the village trying to make their way through the narrow Obs streets.
These issues are constantly raised by residents to the OBSID, which plans to put together a panel of representatives from the Metro Police, City Traffic and the Police to face the community at the indaba, which will start at 10am on Saturday, 20 October.
Local ward councillor Brett Herron, who also happens to be the member of the mayoral committee in charge of Cape Town’s roads, will also be on the panel.
However, OBSID COO Ursula van Stavel says she is wary of the meeting degenerating into a complaining session dominated by a handful of angry residents.
Therefore, the plan is to gather written questions and complaints from the community about traffic issues by 1 October. These will be compiled and handed to the panel members so that they can research and prepare answers for the community. The idea is that the authorities are able to give concrete plans and progress reports to the community at the meeting.
There will be an opportunity for residents to question the panel at the end of their presentations.
Ursula said: "I want it to be a win-win situation...no one’s going to ambush anyone at the meeting."
She called on anyone with a traffic complaint or question to submit it to the OBSID in writing before 1 October. No verbal complaints will make it onto the agenda.
Send your traffic complaints, questions and suggestions to Ursula at COO@obsid.org.za

Slow take-up of Obs Party Shuttle

A SLOW start to the take-up of the Obs Party Shuttle, a bus for revellers who want to shuttle between Obs’s nightlife and party spots in town, has forced the owners to add additional routes to the service.
The Obs Party Shuttle, owned by local entrepreneur Hazel Waltons and driver Muhammed Bazier, now also goes to Claremont and Greenpoint.
The service was launched in July for those who want to "party responsibly" without having to worry about drunk driving. The original route formed a circle between Obs and the CBD on Friday and Saturday nights between 9pm and 4am.
Muhammed said recent bad weather contributed partly to the slow take-up, but many are still unaware of the service.
Muhammed says that Friday nights are busier, but only after 11pm and depending on the weather. He says that about 25 to 30 people use the shuttle at this hour and only 4 to 6 people use the shuttle at 10pm.
The minibus tends to fill up from Obs to the CBD, but not on the return trip. Revellers in Long Street, the main City Bowl destination for the bus, are not as familiar with the shuttle.
Saturday nights are less popular, with only six to eight regulars using the shuttle service.
He said because of demand, he now includes Claremont and Green Point. "If I have to, then I do," said Muhammed. He says this usually happens because Obs is quiet by 1am.
Petrol has increased, but Muhammed said the same prices remains. He charges R15 for a one-way trip to Town, R25 for a trip to Claremont from Obs, and R20 for a one-way trip to Trinity in Greenpoint.
Muhammed is positive that the service will pick up after exams and in summer. "You get your good week-ends and your bad week-ends," said Muhammed.

Empty shops filling up at last

OBZ Square, the new UCT residence on Main Road, is still struggling to let their premises after months of vacancy, but Obs Gateway, the new block at the confluence of Lower Main and Main Road, is filling up with new tenants after years of delay.
Obz Gateway now houses a nail parlour, Alison’s Nail Boutique, a hair salon called Change Room and a tattoo parlour.
This leaves one shop, the largest one, vacant at Obs Gateway. The owner of the building, Robert Gulliver, said that if smaller businesses want to let the premises, he will consider splitting it into two spaces. But he is interested in letting the premises out to a gym or a pawn franchise.
All of the four apartments on the second storey have been rented out, except for one two-bedroom flat going for R6 500 per month.
Meanwhile, Grant Willis, director of UCT student housing, downplays the empty shops at the ground floor of Obz Square by saying that they didn’t expect to fill them within the first months after the opening of the residence in January this year. "Chances were remote to have a full house," he said, adding that UCT wanted to see first what type of clientele applied and whether they were suitable.
Grant says that three prospective tenants have been interviewed, but says it is an on-going process. He also expressed interest in recruiting a gym. Because Obz Square is a student residential complex, Grant says that they want eateries, coffee shops and retailers, but no bars and pubs.
Retail space at Obz Square costs R120 per square metre per month and the shop sizes range from 66 square metres to 300 square metres.
Obs Gateway’s completion was a slow process, with tenants complaining that they had to start off using generators because the building wasn’t ready for an electricity connection. Similar problems were apparently experienced with telephone lines. The problems seemed to have been sorted out recently.
Robert said the heritage status of the area delayed completion.
Kim Sueng Hee, owner of the Change Room salon, said only minor problems remain, including the lack of visibility and signage. Robert said that signage will be up within a week.

Barmooda fire suspect sought

There seems to be no end to the Barmooda saga as insurance issues drag on and an identified alleged arsonist is still at large.

No repair work has started yet on the gutted part of the building which housed the controversial Barmooda nightclub on the corner of Station and Lower Main Road, despite earlier promises by the building’s owners, Woodstock-based company Zhauns Properties, that work would start in September.

The nightclub was petrol bombed in mysterious circumstances in the early hours of 15 June.

Brian Roberts, Zhauns property manager, said they are still busy sorting out the insurance claim. He told ObsLife that repair work will start at the beginning of October before putting the phone down.
An insurance official working on the case was tight-lipped about how far the Zhauns’ claim had progressed, saying only that it was still under way. ObsLife had previously learned that Zhauns wanted a cash pay-out as opposed to having a contractor appointed by the insurers. The insurers had made a settlement offer to Zhauns.
Meanwhile, the police have identified Nasiet Haywood as the alleged arsonist who entered the nightclub, threatened the workers, tied them up and set the place alight. He is described as armed and dangerous.

Sergeant Hilton Malila of the Woodstock Police said he is still at large and is associated with the Goodwood, Maitland and the Summer Greens area.

In contrast with earlier published versions of the event, Sergeant Malila says Haywood entered the nightclub with one accomplice, while a getaway car waited in the street.

The insurance claim of the owner of Barmooda, Reon Heckrath, also has not been settled yet, according to an insurance official dealing with the case. Barmooda as a business was owned and insured separately from the building.

Zhauns said it would not take Barmooda back as a tenant once the building is fixed.

The Police asked anyone with information about Haywood to contact Warren Smith on 021-4862863 or crime stop on 08600 10111.

Assessment Centre promises broken

SERIOUS allegations of mismanagement have emerged about the Assessment Centre for homeless people in Franklin Street amid calls by residents that the dysfunctional City project be shut down.
The multi-million-rand contract from the City’s department of social development was awarded to Melanie Brand, owner of a coaching business EMCE, to set up and run the assessment centre to assess homeless people who are ready to come off the streets before referring them for further treatment or second-phase institutions such as rehabilitation centres.
Melanie denies that the assessment centre has degenerated into a shelter but admitted that several homeless people have been staying at the centre for months, instead of the maximum of 72 hours which she promised concerned Franklin Street residents at the beginning of the year when the centre opened.
Melanie admitted to ObsLife that the centre was housing homeless women. “There’s kind of a permanent arrangement for women in Observatory, but we only have six women....”
However, a resident in Franklin Street who wanted to remain anonymous said that there are about 30 to 40 people in the centre which operates "more as a hostel than as an assessment centre."
An outraged Franklin Street resident said Melanie has made no attempts to communicate any changes to the centre’s mandate or operating procedure. He said that she has been supplied with all the relevant contact numbers. Another resident said that she saw Melanie recently, yet Melanie did not take the opportunity to speak to her about the fact that she had gone against her agreement with Franklin Street.
Melanie explained to ObsLife that she is using the Franklin Street centre to house women because of problems that arose between women and men at the Maitland second-phase shelter, which she also runs on contract from the city.
But she is adamant that the Franklin Street assessment centre should not be called a shelter, but an assessment centre.
Yet Melanie's explanation how the Franklin Street centre works is that of a typical shelter. The inmates are given breakfast and are then sent out during the day to fend for themselves before being allowed back into the centre at night.
Professionals in the field told ObsLife that properly run assessment centres keep their inmates inside for the duration of their short stay while assessments take place. Kenneth Roman, the Observatory Improvement District’s street-people field worker, said that if a homeless person is ill and unable to work, they should not be told that they must go out to work if they physically can’t. Those on medication should receive three meals per day and not be denied food.
The centre seems to suffer from a serious lack of professional involvement. Despite requests from ObsLife, Melanie failed to provide the names and contact details of professionals involved. In an email, she claimed that three psychologists were involved at the centre, but only for “debriefing” staff. She didn’t provide names or contact details. Contrary to her stated plans when the centre was launched, she made no mention of the involvement of any medical doctor or psychiatrist.
Melanie told a recent meeting of the Social Issues Forum, a gathering of local street-people activists, that an auxiliary social worker does all of the centre’s assessments and is overseen by the centre’s social worker, Amanda Adams. She made no mention of any medical or psychological assessments being done.
Professionals whom ObsLife spoke to expressed surprise at the idea of an assessment centre where the assessments aren’t done by professionally qualified psychologists or medical doctors.
The lack of professionalism at the centre seems to reach right down to the support staff. Melanie confirmed to ObsLife allegations by a centre inmate that a staff member had been caught drinking on the job, and admitted that the centre employs previously homeless people as caretakers and field workers. Kenneth criticised this practice, saying that there are many unemployed qualified social workers and field workers who need jobs, yet the centre chooses to employ inexperienced and risky candidates.
Melanie admitted that a “house mother” at the assessment centre who cares and cooks for the inmates was sacked after being caught drinking on the job. According to an inmate at the centre who is herself battling alcoholism, the house mother sent her to the liquor store to buy booze.
Further questions around the centre’s lack of insight into dealing with alcoholics arises from an interview with ObsLife in which she said that she was trying to get a certain inmate to “drink 20 percent less”.
A psychologist and health professional who commented on this approach said such a weaning-off approach to alcoholism is highly unusual in South Africa and controversial overseas. The South African approach is to encourage complete abstinence. The professionals expressed concern that the assessment centre was trying to rehabilitate an inmate, whereas their job is to assess and refer. Lynn Brandt, a social worker from Mowbray, said it was against the law for a social worker to make a diagnosis.
Observatory was earmarked as the home of the City’s first assessment centre because of the network established by the Social Issues Forum. But Kenneth says there has been no cooperation with him as the local field worker. "We not even working together. They have field workers in Observatory, I work in Observatory. We set up numerous meetings, they never pitch for one meeting," said Kenneth.

Mobile Station targets Obs crime hotspots

THE new “horsebox” introduced by the Observatory Improvement District (OBSID) has scored its first direct success through the apprehension of a car-wheel thief by a guard who was patrolling Dove Street from the mobile shelter.
The horsebox is a trailer from which an Observatory Public Safety guard can operate in any hotspot in the OBSID area.
It is hard to miss the bold branding which increases the visibility of the OBSID’s safety effort and helps prevent crime.
The idea is that the guards manning the horsebox are able to patrol high-crime areas in Obs, using the horsebox as an occasional shelter and “information desk” where they can interact with residents.
During the incident, the trailer was parked on the corner of Robins and Polo Road, when the guard interrupted the thief who ran off but was caught shortly afterwards.
The OBSID horsebox has been operating for three weeks now. Residents say that since the horsebox has been visible in the area, crime has decreased and they feel much safer in their homes.
“I much prefer them here... If one of those could be in every street in Observatory, I tell you, crime will probably go to Constantia,” quipped Jill Darvall, a resident in Polo Street.
“The vigilance of them up and down, it actually keeps the guys away. Nobody’s car has been broken in since,” said Maphtaoi Tafari, a resident in Polo Street.
The horsebox branding was sponsored by the Groote Schuur Community Improvement District (GSCID) and the Western Cape government sponsored the trailer.
The use of horsebox is currently being tested, says Ursula van Stavel, chief operating officer.
She says that they are conducting a survey among residents about the impact of the service. Information brochures about the OBSID are available at the horsebox, as well as opinion-poll form that residents can fill in.
OBSID guard Aphiwe Velani, who recently did a stint in and around the horsebox in Polo Road, said: “So far there has been no reports of breaking-ins, that means the crime has decreased...residents appreciate the horsebox. They say that they are very delighted to see the horsebox, especially here in Polo Road”.
Ursula says that if any resident or organisation is hosting a gathering and would like the horsebox to be visible in the area during the hours of the event, residents can apply to the OBSID a week in advance. OBSID will consider each application on its merits.
Phone the OBSID at 021 448 7090 or leave a note at the horsebox.

Call for community to join Business Development

WHILE the priorities and impact of the Observatory Improvement District have mostly been in the areas of safety and cleanliness, a huge amount of work has quietly been undertaken by the OBSID’s business development committee.

Run by the owner of 33 South Backpackers in Trill Road, Kim Whitaker, the committee aims to market Observatory to Cape Town as a whole, and to help local business thrive by helping them with business tools and compliance.

Kim, who is also the vice chair of the OBSID board of directors, said recent projects of the committee included free social-media workshops showing local businesses how to gain and maintain an online presence.

The effort to put as many Obs businesses as possible on the internet is about to culminate in a website called obsy.co.za, an online interactive directory the things to do, places to eat at, watering holes, products and services in the neighbourhood.

Future projects include an interactive map of businesses and places of interest in Obs, an "Obs welcome pack" for new businesses, containing all the laws and by-laws to help them become good corporate citizens.
Kim called on local business owners to join the committee and help to build a thriving business community in Obs. Anyone interested in seeing what the committee does, is welcome to attend the next meeting on 23 August at the OBSID’s Station Road offices - just let Kim know at kim@obsid.org.za.

Business score on first-aid course

A USUALLY pricey first-aid course which was organised by the Observatory Improvement District (OBSID) was reduced to R250 per person in an effort to assist local businesses in the hospitality and service sector. The usual price of a first-aid course would cost R450, but Observatory businesses received a subsidy.
The businesses which attended the course were 33 South Backpackers, Bohemian Loft Backpackers, Green Elephant Backpackers, Observatory Improvement District (OBSID), Riverlodge Backpackers, Friends of the Liesbeek, as well as Mariagrazia Galimberti, a local resident.
The level-one first-aid course was led by Andrew Moore from Medical Education Centre, and included a level-one certificate, course material, an emergency key ring, and refreshments.
Those who attended the first day of the two-day course received latex gloves and the CPR mouthpiece, two items which Andrew said “you cannot do without”.
Kenneth Roman, the Observatory field worker for the homeless, said that this course is equipping him with the necessary skills to tackle a situation which before he was unsure of what to do. “I'm going to be positive next time when I see someone in need ... I will be able to take control of the emergency, where previously I couldn't,” he said.
OBSID chief operating officer Ursula van Stavel said: “The reason why we sent our staff there is that we want our staff to be empowered to assist with CPR ... if there is help needed in the community, we want our staff to be able to help.”
Apart from emergency procedures such as CPR, the participants were briefed on the various emergency numbers such as 112 (the cellphone networks’ emergency number), 082 911 (Netcare’s emergency number) and 107 (the emergency number from any landline).
One of the many tips that Andrew gave the participants is that the fire brigade responds faster to emergency calls than ambulances do. Even though Groote Schuur Hospital is situated in Main Road, the ambulances at the hospital are not there for emergency calls.

Parking problems boil over

PARKING issues in Observatory have boiled up with two large corporate citizens fingered by angry residents for contributing to clogged-up streets.

Both Woolworths Financial Services in the Old Lion Match Factory in Lower Main Road and Black River Park next to Liesbeek Parkway draw thousands of employees into Obs daily resulting in clogged up roads and a lack of parking for residents.

The Black River Park issue boiled over recently when residents from Lower Collingwood Road next to the office complex received letters from the City proposing two-hour parking restrictions for the area.

The proposal for a two-hour restriction ostensibly stems from long-standing complaints from the residents that workers at Black River Park clog up the parking space in their streets because the high charges for parking inside the office complex. The idea is that a two-hour restriction would deter the office workers from parking in the residential streets.

But the proposal has residents worried that they themselves would no longer be able to park in front of their homes.

The concerned residents convened a meeting to discuss the issue. According to a petition circulated after the meeting, they called on the City to extend the two-hour restriction to Fir, Ivy, Ash and Oak Street (and not only apply it in Lower Collingwood Road), but to exempt residents from the time limit.

An alternative proposed in the petition is to enforce paid parking in the streets, but with exemption for residents.

Local ward councillor Brett Herron, who also happens to be in charge of roads in Cape Town, was invited to the meeting, but didn’t attend. He asked the residents to be kept informed.

Johan Beaurain a resident in Collingwood Road, said the petition is being circulated. “Once that process is completed, we will hand the letter over to Councillor Brett Herron.”
Meanwhile, unhappiness over congested parking in the streets around Woolworths continues, despite various meetings between residents and the company, whose employees, according to an insider, bring in an estimated 200 cars into Observatory each day.
The problem is set to worsen when a vacant plot in Howe street, currently used for parking by many Woolworths employees, is developed into a new business park.
“People don't realise that, OK, we probably have the most employees, but there are other businesses nearby and that park here as well,”said Sedick Samodien Woolworths technical facilities manager.

Woolworths is working on a plan to introduce a shuttle service for their employees, which will operate from two train stations and Norton Street bus stop, Salt River and Observatory. The idea is to convince staff to take public transport.

They currently do have a shuttle service operating which drops employees at their homes, but that shuttle service is only for those who work the late shift. The new proposed shuttle will operate in the morning from 7am to 5pm, making about 12 trips per day between Woolworths and the Observatory and Salt River train stations.

So far, none of Woolworths’ plans seem to be improving relations with the locals.Terence Rix, a close-by resident, said: “The exact same problems still transpire. The intersection of Howe and St Michaels Street still is illegally parked in and is exceptionally dangerous.

“I understand that Howe Street can be used by the public for parking. However, it's impossible to ever come home during the day and actually park on our street. It's essentially become a one way street and often there are moments of hooter frustration between the various road users. We still have loud music blaring out of cars early in the morning as they either drive past or are parking outside”.

House prices: Is Obs victim of own success?

OBSERVATORY is ranked 1344 in the city suburb ranking with an average household valuation of R1 168 631, as mentioned in the Rawson Properties suburb report which is updated quartely by Lightstone.

Obs is a suburb which is developing at a rapid pace and with development comes increases in rates, taxes and property value said Paddy Chapple city councillour and local estate agent.

The Rawston Properties subub report contains extremely interesting information which pertains to all residents in Observatory. The report contains interesting other stats

According to the report, the estimated average household income range in Observatory is from R24 000 to R37 000 and is rated as a high living standard measure.

The suburb report states that existing owners keep their homes for eleven years and more, whereas recent sellers keep homes for five to seven years and move on.

The most common age of recent sellers and existing home owners is from 36 years old to 49 years old. Those who are buying property in Observatory are aged 18 to 35 years old. This is interesting as it suggests that Obs is becoming a younger suburb.

So far, property sales have decreased from the high 2010 sales of 40 sectional schemes and 139 freeholds to 2012's sales of 14 sectional schemes and 63 freeholds.

Estate agents in Observatory says the reason for the drop is that people are holding on to their properties and not selling any off. This is creating a demand for the properties, and as soon as a property goes on the market it is sold at a high price.

No sales of execution has occurred thus far for the year moving away from the all-time high of 19 in 2003.Observatory is an area which is in demand, because it is a very central and convenient location with easy access to highways in all directions, a relatively clean and safe neighbourhood with a village feel that allows a person to walk to the shops and restaurants, dog parks and children’s parks. Observatory's Liesbeek “River features an abundance of bird-life to escape the city-feel. The dense but not over-populated demographics of the suburb together with the history and diverse group of people living here, creates a community spirit that is more special than most other places,” says local estate agent Werner Steyn. High speed internet in the area contribute to the possibility of working from home, another draw-card to the area. The Victorian charm of the houses here is another attraction.

Paddy Chapple says: “I have a feeling that we will be victims of our own success as a suburb as property prices are on the rise”.

The City conducted a general valuation of all properties on 1 July 2012. The final valuation roll will be certified by the municipal valuer and submitted to the City Manager on 31 January 2013 and the roll will be open for inspection and the lodging of objections during March and April 2013.

Obs gets camera obscura

OBSERVATORY will soon boast its own camera obscura, an ancient sort of telescope, to add to its eclectic array of places of interest.
The camera obscura, a device through which an image of the outside world is projected into a dark room, is part of the Cape Town Science Centre which recently relocated from Century City to Observatory.
The operation to get the camera obscura relocated was delayed by the recent rough weather. It will consist of a large protuberance that will jut out from the roof of the science centre, and reflect images from the outside world onto a flat surface inside a dark room in the science centre.
Visitors to the centre will be able to view breathtaking images of Table Mountain, Groote Schuur Hospital, the surrounding streets and buildings as well as Table Bay with Paarden Island in the distance inside to room.
According to an explanation on the South African Astronomical Association’s website, a camera obscura works by like a camera, where light travels through a tiny hole, crosses over and forms an upside-down image on a flat surface held parallel to the hole. The phrase means “dark room” in Latin.

face lift for drab wall under bridge

ONE of South Africa's top graffiti mural artists gave the old grey walls of the railway bridge in Observatory a face lift.
Mural artists from Mitchell's Plain on the Cape Flats, are painting the mural next to the planned giant chest board. The two artists, who were recruited by the Observatory Improvement District (OBSID) have been painting for ten years and featured in a number of hip-hop magazine and blogs, building a quite formidable reputation.
The giant chest board, as well as the mural, is one of the beautification projects implemented by the OBSID. The pixie figures which are featured in the mural are the size of the actual chess pieces and brings warmth and beauty to the area.
The artists did not want to reveal their proper names, and gave their noms de plume as Seth one and Conform. They both work for Artsad, a creative marketing company that employed them after they saw their work.
The artists originally approached the Obsid to graffiti the walls, but were turned down at first.
The mural of pixies playing chess in a forest was completed within two days. They thought of the idea on the day.
Seth one is competing in a competition called Uncontainable Hip-Hop to showcase his work. The best graffiti artists in South Africa will compete.
Seth says: “My style is influenced greatly by the gutters (streets) and the rawness of its people, allowing me a more real perspective in an artistic sense. I am aiming to reach greater levels in this industry as an artist from the gutters. I'm sure when it comes to originality as an artist; my style would be hard to match”.
To vote for him, simply visit spritehiphop.co.za and vote for Sethane.

Naked fury spurs Obs woman to grab thief

A ROBBER who smashed an Observatory resident’s car window in the early hours of the morning got the fright of his life when he was attacked by the naked and furious car owner.
Cathy Cook, a residents in Bishop Road, said it was still dark when she heard the smash of her car window. “I took a flying leap out of bed, grabbed a dressing gown and opened the door quietly... I saw the guy in the car... I ran out and grabbed him,” said Cathy.
She said half of the thief’s body was in the car when she grabbed him and pulled him out. The two scuffled on the pavement, before he turned and ran away down Robins Road. “He went for me, and I went for him,” she said.
It was then that she realised that during the incident her dressing gown had come loose and that she effectively attacked the thief in her birthday suit.
Cathy says that she is upset that she didn't grab anything to whack the robber. She only realised afterwards how dangerous the situation was and to what extent the adrenaline rush overwhelmed her. She was extremely angry as this was the second time her car had been broken into. “He could have had a gun, he could have had a knife, I'm just glad he didn't,” she said.
After the confrontation Cathy went inside and and had blood all over her feet from the broken glass she stepped on when she grabbed the robber out of the car.

The robber had targeted her car for the rubbish bag, and she had no valuables in the car. Cathy says that he stole a car charger and a packet of sweets.

The neighbour across the road phoned for help and another neighbour phoned the Neighbourhood Watch. A member arrived within minutes. “Neighbourhood Watch was really helpful, they calmed me down and they videoed around to look for the guy,” said Cathy. Neighbourhood Watch told Cathy that they knew the guy from the description she gave and he is a regular car thief.

The window was only repaired a week after the confrontation and Cathy was driving around with plastic over her window opening, and parked her car at her friend’s house.

Lion Corner Tavern brings diversity to Obs

The Lion Corner Tavern, the first gay pub and restaurant in Observatory, has had a tough introduction to Observatory, but is determined to make a success of their business and to uplift the part of Lower Main Road where they are situated.

The Lion Corner Tavern, a partnership between three friends, Gert du Preez, Hardus Lindeque and Casper Portgieter, drew objections from the community when they applied for a liquor license. The community has reached the end of its tether with the proliferation of liquor licenses in Obs, while the Lion Corner Tavern had to wait seven months to get the license in the face of the objections. They had to hire a temporary license at R1 200 per week for seven months since their opening. Gert is still taken aback by the response they received from Obs residents and feels that they were bullied by the residents.

Although still a sensitive topic, the issue has died down since as the three owners set about proving that they run a respectable pub.

Casper had bought the premises last year without knowing what to do with it. He then partnered with Hardus and Gert and they came up with idea of a gay pub and restaurant as an alternative to the gay entertainment district at De Waterkant.

The Lion Corner Tavern is central to both southern suburbs and northern suburbs residents and is ideal for those who want affordable pre-drinks before venturing off to their destination, said Gert.

“What we are trying to do is to get the gay businesses to come start investing in Obs,” he said.

The first Gay Pride March was in Observatory, Gert said.

“Observatory has always been an alternative place. People don’t look funny at you when you walk around in Obs, whether you're a mixed couple, a lesbian couple or a gay couple...it has always been an acceptable environment, for people to feel okay in Obs,” he said.

Entering the Lion Corner Tavern is almost like walking into a fifties film. Lace wallpaper, chandeliers, disco balls and everything that “screams creativity” have all been deployed by the three owners. Painted purple, a colour which symbolises wealth and royalty, most definitely suits the style and aim of the bar.

Gert believes there are between 350 and 400 married gay couples in Observatory.

However, Gert said the Lion Corner Tavern is open for all, not only for gay people. . “We don't make gay food,” joked Gert. “Families with their children eat here. Our food is great, we do have the best burgers in Obs,” said Gert. Prices are very affordable, of both food and alcoholic beverages.

Gert said that, despite the initial fears of some locals, they will never turn into a night club. They would have liked to put on cabaret shows, karaoke and live entertainment, but can’t do so because of their license restrictions.

All the windows are sound proof and therefore won't create any noise pollution in the residing area. “We try and work according to the law, when people leave our place we tell them not to make a noise when they go outside and not to leave with alcohol.”

The Lion Corner Tavern is showing tremendous growth and Gert says that they are hoping to buy the property next door so that they can expand the venue.
The biggest attraction at the moment is the regular Saturday braai held at The Lion Corner Tavern. Up to 80 people attend this event, watching the rugby, socialising and enjoying the venue and event.

Sunday night is dress-up night during summer months.

The clientele at The Lion Corner Tavern ranges from 30 years old up until 45 years, but is open to all ages from 18 years above.

Gert says that the Lower Main Road needs uplifting, and that's why he's hoping that more businesses move into the premises to uplift Observatory. The street needs more development. There is space for growth in this part of Observatory he says.

The Lion Corner Tavern is open six days a week, from 11am until 2am during winter and during summer they are open seven days a week.

Gert downplays any incidence of harassment or homophobic hate crimes, saying it has only happened once or twice, and dealing with it was simply a case of chasing the perpetrator out of the bar.

Gert is impressed by the Observatory Public Safety patrols and Premier Security. He says that if he pushes the panic button, they come within seconds.

Obs home to top football club

PASSION was brought back home to Observatory when a soccer fanatic Zaid Omar started the first successful football club in Observatory.

Zaid, 42, grew up in Salt River and his dream was to become a soccer player. The laws in South Africa at that time made it impossible for him to make a career out of soccer, which led him to study sport science.
Kapstadt Football Club (FC) is situated at the Hartleyvale Stadium D field in Observatory and has been based here for four years. The name Kapstadt was given to the club when Zaid visited Germany and they asked him whether there was a club named Kapstadt.
He mentioned that there was an Ajax team, which is a Dutch soccer team’s name, and that there was Santos, which is also a Brazilian team’s name. “The Germans were confused and said ‘you have Brazilian and Holland named teams, but no Kapstadt?’ And I said, ‘Don't worry, there is a team named Kapstadt’,” said Zaid. This then inspired him to start a football team in South Africa named Kapstadt FC. “The spelling gave it an international feel.”
The football club was formed in 2002. “We've been pretty successful, because when we started we were one of the first Football Club to have an international brand to sponsor us... New Balance wanted to associate their brand name to our club name (New Balance FC). When that relationship sort of dated, we adopted our name Kapstadt Football Club”.
When the football club started, they initially only played in the second division which is known as the Vodacom League, and they only had two teams.
Now, Kapstadt FC has two under-seven teams, three under-nine teams, two under-11 teams, one under-13 and a first and second team from 19 years and older. They currently don't have enough field space to play all these teams, and are hoping to get the A field which is currently being used by Greenpoint football club.
“We asked the City of Cape Town to help us. This is an investment to the community, into the people, the kids and the youth, they are just very slow. You'd think that after the World Cup there would be so much money available for South African amateur football, but it's not so,” said Zaid.

There are about 15 young players from Observatory who are members of the club’s Youth Division and around five senior members who reside in Observatory.

The junior fees, which excludes kit, are R240 per month and senior fees are R1000 for the season. Membership is open to all, but especially to those who can meet the membership requirement. “For under-seven players, we encourage and assess players’ basic skills before accepting membership. For seniors, since we’re a performance based club, we would like to encourage aspiring footballers who can indeed compete to join,” said Zaid.

Because of the club being run professionally, being very structured, very organised and very disciplined, their teams are able to remain top of the Cape Town Tygerberg Football Association division. “I am proud to say that every team that plays in the Cape Town Tygerberg (league), is top of their division, that must tell you that we are doing something right,” said Zaid.
There are numerous players who rose through the ranks of Kapstadt FC now playing professional football around the world and in the Premier Soccer League.Vorgen Less (Wits University), Welcome Qalanto (Maritzburg United), Athony Moniz (Vasco Da Gama), Ernil Kemp (Santos), Leroy Maluka (Finland), Danny Bowers (Santos), Craig Jordan (Santos), Asavela Mbekile (FC Cape Town) and James Madidilane (SA Under-20 & Bloemfontein Celtic).

Taxi firm under fire

A COMMUNITY crime-reporting network has flagged Observatory-based Elite Taxis as a major transgressor of traffic rules and a nuisance to public parking in the suburb through its constant hogging of parking bays and pavements in the Lower Main and Station Road area.
Locals have long complained that the metered taxis illegally clog up the parking bays meant for shoppers, who are forced to park far away in less safe places. But the extent of the lawlessness by Elite became apparent when locals started reporting the transgressions on Turn-It-Around, a volunteer crime-reporting website. For example, during the first week of August, eight cases of illegal parking by Elite taxis were reported, compared to one by a private taxi operator.
James Cowley the chairman of the Observatory Neighbourhood Watch said that they have very little respect for Obs residents, they take up a lot of space parking in the streets and the parking bays, which are very few for those visiting Obs. “Many times residents are unable to pass to get in and out of their driveways, because of Elite Taxis service,” he says.
Most of the illegally parked taxis are reported on Turn-it-Around in the evenings. This is when the taxis tout for business from revellers leaving the clubs and pubs of Lower Main Road.
A City by-law governing the taxi industry states clearly that taxis may only park in designated taxi bays. Because there are no such bays in Observatory, it means that taxis have to wait at their respective bases until they are called by customers in Observatory.
Approached for comment by ObsLife, Sulaiman Essop, Elite’s fleet manager, at first argued that it wasn’t illegal for taxis to park in public spaces, saying that the taxi drivers are shoppers at the businesses in front of which they park. “We have all the right to stand there...90 percent of our drivers shop at Spar,” he said.
Later on, he argued that Elite taxi drivers are in fact independent drivers who simply hire the taxis from Elite. He said the company reprimands those who don't adhere to the traffic laws, but added that some of the complaints lodged against Elite taxis are “ridiculous”.
At another stage, Suleiman denied that any of the Elite taxis park in Lower Main and Station Road.
He said Elite taxis are all registered taxis with permits, and the company has been in existence for 23 years. He complained that Elite was being victimised. “Why aren't they doing the same thing to the other taxi companies?”
Sulaiman said that he asked Charl Brooks, who oversees the Observatory Public Safety patrols, to meet about the issue “so that we can get to a middle ground.”

Dog Poisoned in Darien Lane

AN angry resident is blaming the death of his beloved dog Shiloh on poisoning by local drug merchants in Darien Lane off Lower Main Road.

Brendon Hartzenberg, who has lived in Observatory for two years, says it was an act of revenge from drug pushers whom he and his brother regularly chase out of the lane.

His vet confirmed that Shiloh was poisoned, but couldn’t say what kind of poison was used. The dog died soon after the vet examined it. Brendon refused to have it put down.

He says on the day of the poisoning, the tow-truck belonging to his brother Shannon had petrol syphoned from it and towing chains stolen, but they don’t believe the theft is linked to the poisoning incident. Two other vehicles around the corner in Oxford Road were also targeted on the same day.

Brendon explained that the drug merchants regularly walk up the lane, meeting cars or people and exchanging drugs for money. He used to walk the lane with his dog chasing out the suspected drug merchants, he said.

Drug exchange is a daily occurrence in both Lower Main Road and Darien Lane, said James Cowley, the Observatory Neighbourhood Watch chair. But he says that the poisoning was not necessarily from drug pushers - it could be anyone, including criminals who wanted to get into the property.

James hasn't heard about many dog poisonings in Observatory, lending weight to Brendon's opinion that it was an act of revenge.

Obz fire fundraiser Blazes with turn-out

OVER R10 000 was raised for Blackdog Studios, the photographic studio that burnt down in the Barmooda blaze recently, as Observatory’s business community opened up its heart to one of the most hard-hit by the fire.

The fundraiser was held for Blackdog’s owner Sally Mellish, who lost R300 000’s worth of equipment when the controversial nightclub burnt down in mysterious circumstances. Sally’s studio was on the storey above Barmooda.

“I've never come across a more kinder community...complete strangers making an effort for someone they didn't even know,” said Sally.

The Business Development Committee of the Observatory Improvement District (Obsid) organised the fundraiser, with Trenchtown restaurant in Station Road providing the venue for free, Matt Loots from Lotus Media the sound engineering, and time and sweat from Mel du Toit and Kaitlyn Rogers of Bohemian Lofts Backpackers, as well as Kim Whitaker and Jessica Payne of 33 South Boutique Backpackers. Many raffle prizes were sponsored.

Sally says that Trenchtown was packed - a complete full house of supporters. She says that Obs community is a closely knitted community and “it's one of my compelling reasons to come back to Obs,” she said.

Sally is re-opening her studio in Howe Street on 5 August, and jokes that with the fundraising money “I (Sally) can pay my deposit (for the studio)”.

Another hard hit business is Mnandi Textiles, next door to the gutted Barmooda. Mnandi Textiles has existed in Obs since 1991 before moving to its present location in 1994.

The blaze damaged most of the merchandise and left Mnandi Textiles unable to operate for a full five weeks, said Mnandi owner Ilse Oberholster.

The business is insured, and they are slowly but surely regaining material. Ilse says that over the years she collected fabric that can’t be replaced and that too has been damaged.

She is upset about Barmooda, and says that it's not the first time that something bad has happened to her business due to Barmooda. The first time was when gangster Ricky Oaker was shot in front of her shop in 2008 when he was offloading equipment for Barmooda. Ilse says the bullet travelled right through the glass and into the fabric.

Ilse can't even explain the way she is feeling. The shop might not have been burnt down, but the smoke caused a lot of damage.

Ilse said that the insurance is not sure if her goods are salvageable, and whether “the value of it, will be more than the salvaging”.

The shop has been repainted and she is hoping to open soon.