Séan Achim, chief executive officer of Plein Chamber
Plein Chamber, an apolitical body, submitted commentary on the spatial development framework for Mitchell's Plain 2022.
Meaning that we adhere vehemently to the stance of not allowing politics to muddy the waters of our future.
We embrace members of all political persuasions.
While the first few pages of this commentary may be seen by some as a political statement, it is not the intention.
The positioning of this commentary stems from a need to deeply understand the socio-economic strategy that was played by the previous regime that has resulted in an unsustainable future.
Unless we understand the actions taken in the past that has brought us to this point we will never understand the investment required to repair the damage caused.
This is not a plea for the local government to allow us to work towards self-sustainability or to realise our dreams.
The complete and only purpose of this commentary is to place on record the dreams, aspirations and vision of our community.
We are hereby placing on record in no uncertain terms, the future we are working towards."
First off, I want to thank Mr Sean Achim for a very comprehensive submission on the draft District Spatial Development Framework and Environmental Management Framework (DSDF-EMF) covering Mitchell’s Plain.
A more spatially integrated and inclusive City is one of the strategic priorities of the City’s new Integrated Development Plan (IDP) that was approved by council for the next five years.
Mr Achim’s submission focuses to an extent on the desire for a Mitchell’s Plain where the community has equal access to opportunities.
We fully agree, to turn Cape Town into a City of hope, the City must provide the foundation necessary to improve people’s life chances.
We must use the public resources entrusted to us to co-create a city that is more caring, more inclusive, more prosperous, more united, more respectful, more safe and more free.
A more spatially integrated and inclusive city is one of the three foundations of the new IDP.
The City is committed to invest in public infrastructure to address the injustice of apartheid spatial planning.
The draft DSDF-EMF that covers Mitchell’s Plain aims to identify the areas where investment is needed and sets a vision for how we plan for new developments so that these can ensure more people have access to economic opportunities and social amenities.
Part of this commitment is the intention to provide adequate and equitable utilities, social services, heritage, cultural and recreational spaces.
We are thankful and acknowledge receipt of Mr Achim’s contribution to this draft DSDF-EMF and will consider the arguments and proposals put forward as we revise the current draft and future plans for Mitchell’s Plain.