A new organisation in Table View has positioned itself as an alternative to the existing ratepayers’ association, which was rocked by internal squabbles earlier this year.
The Greater Table View Action Forum (GTAF, pronounced “GeeTaf”) launched on Wednesday December 7.
Its website claims more than 100 people have already joined. A preliminary meeting will be held at the Sunningdale Primary School, on the corner of Tryall Road and Sunningdale Drive, tonight, Wednesday December 14, at 6.30pm.
According to the website, GTAF wants to “bring stability to the community through focussing on the needs and services required by the people of this community”.
It would be a forum where “people come together co-operatively”, and the community would be encouraged to “work together as a collective”.
Membership would be free “for the foreseeable future” until the organisation had been made official at its first annual general meeting next year.
Although it doesn’t say so directly, GTAF will be seen by many as challenger to the Table View Ratepayers’ Association (TVRA), which was shaken by feuding between members this year, with resentment spilling over into the public domain (“TVRA meeting a miss,” Tabletalk, August 17). There were accusations about a lack of transparency, a top-down approach and people being banned from commenting on the TVRA Facebook page.
Some of the regulars who previously posted on the TVRA Facebook page about community issues and are now posting on the GTAF’s Facebook page include Angus Brits, Des Palm, Schulla Pronk and Jamie Agenbag.
Asked what the TVRA made of the new organisation, the association’s chairwoman Mandy Da Matta said: “We are not in a position to formulate an opinion on the GTAF’s intent and operation, as we do not have insight into their views and operational status and what they wish to achieve.”
She didn’t think GTAF would have an impact on TVRA membership.
“We believe that the TVRA membership numbers will continue to increase as they have done over the past few months. The Table View Ratepayers’ Association wishes the GTAF all the best in any constructive endeavours, and may we find common ground in support of each other for the sake of our community interests,” she said.
GTAF includes Table View; West Riding; Parklands; Sunningdale; Flamingo Vlei; Dolphin Beach; Bloubergstrand; Blouberg Rise; West Beach; Bloubergrandt; Blouberg Sands; The Hills; Dune Ridge; Sandown Village; Blouberg Hills Estate; Big Bay; all along Otto Du Plessis Drive, up to La Paloma Boulevard and including La Paloma Estate; the area north of Sandown Road; Sandown Road, up until the Diep River at Malibongwe Road; and any new developments in Parklands North.
The GTAF website says the forum wants to: increase understanding of civic issues among members and develop a sense of civic pride; monitor municipal policies and affairs; influence the City of Cape Town to adopt policies, frame regulations and make decisions acceptable to all members; and promote and facilitate interaction with other organisations with similar objectives.
Peter Glaum, who has filled the position of chairman until a proper management committee has been voted in, said: “GTAF will be a place where people come together co-operatively”.
The forum would “operate as a people’s organisation; for the people, by the people”.
He said all the necessary paperwork had been completed to register the group and they were expecting their non-profit organisation number early next year. The GTAF website says there will be “monthly, open and transparent” meetings to “advance the interests of the community and inspire the people with hope”.
While the meeting tonight is open to the public, only signed-up members will be able to vote, although there will be an opportunity for people to sign up before the meeting.
Asked why GTAF was formed, Mr Glaum said the residents wanted an organisation where their voices could be heard. “Associations with other organisations will be determined by the members of GTAF, once the official meetings begin in 2017,” said Mr Glaum.
For more information about GTAF and for admission forms, visit www.gtaf.org.za or find them on Facebook.
