Carol Paton

Where: Cape Town

Mood: Playful

Some shrewd developer is eyeing one of Cape Town’s top landmarks and Capetonians are not taking it lying down.

For those who live in Cape Town, the Sea Point promenade is a much-loved place to be.

The 2km or so paved walkway along the sea front, beginning at the red and white striped lighthouse at Mouille Point and stretching to Sea Point’s famed public swimming baths, is frequented daily by joggers, walkers, pram-pushers and dog owners. On weekends, the grassy park-like expanses between the walkway and the roads are filled with families playing casual games of football and picnicking, while dating couples stroll around parading their best Sunday outfits.

Unlike the rest of the city, which remains locked in a racial and class mould from which people rarely escape, the Sea Point promenade is everybody’s property. For the poor, it’s a space to come for free recreation; for the rich it provides a spectacular outdoor treadmill and a great way of getting the children out of the house on a Sunday.

In summer, when the southeaster is blowing the rest of the city away, Sea Point is calm and serene with a sparkling blue ocean and gently swaying palm trees. In winter, the fog rolls in on the northwester and the kelpy smell of the sea is fresh and exhilarating.

Stormy days are dramatic with huge waves crashing up against the breakwater, spraying water and foam over the walkway. Like big soapy suds, the foam collects on the beach below and sometimes blows crazily across the grass. But, plans are now afoot to transform the area into a luxury development, with a hotel, spa and shopping centre.

Promenaders are up in arms — 10000 have signed a petition and are taking Tasneem Essop, the MEC for environment, planning & economic development, to court for approving the environmental impact assessment.

In backing the proposal for development, Essop is gambling with her own political future. She will not only take on the determined guardians of the promenade but also her own party, which has informed her that it opposes the commercialisation of the area.

Source: Financial Mail