By Garnett Wicomb

The Cape High Court has ruled that construction can continue on Calitzdorp‘s first supermarket, dismissing the objections of a handful of people who said the new building would obscure the adjacent NG Church.

The owner of the new supermarket, Omar Naitsaidi, then put up a poster on his fence reading: “We are here because the judge says so.”

The objectors obtained a court order to halt construction in May but Naitsaidi on Thursday said the ruling in his favour was “a victory for the people”.

“There are churches, schools, teachers and elderly people of all races who believe building the supermarket is the right thing to do,” he said.

He said the supermarket would be open for business by Christmas if all went according to plan.

The Kannaland municipality said all the proper procedures were followed in approving the supermarket‘s construction. Councillor Kallie Baartman said the shop would bring relief to residents, especially those from the impoverished Bergsig area.

“At present these people have to do their shopping in Oudtshoorn at great cost. Transport to Oudtshoorn costs R100 and I am sure they will be most happy that the construction can continue,” he said.

Community leader William Ludolph said the project would bring economic relief in terms of affordable prices and job creation.

Court papers said the objectors did not want the church façade to be hidden as this would harm tourism in the area, seeing as the church “persuaded many tourists to stop over”.

Residents keen on the shop said people visited Calitzdorp for its proximity to wine estates, not to look at the church.

Source: The Herald