We are indebted to John Cockayne for his comprehensive attempt to throw light on the debate about the Rondebosch Golf Club municipal lease and the pressing demands for land for affordable housing in Cape Town.
In particular, we should acknowledge the value of two of his conclusions: first, that the game of golf, which attracts the interest countrywide of 500,000 South Africans of all races, is not by any standard an “elite” sport; and, second, that the issue is not confined to the status of Rondebosch Golf Club alone but affects the status and future of most metropolitan golf courses.
Unlike other clubs, much of the Rondebosch Golf Course lies in a flood plain along the Black and Vygekraal rivers and is entirely unsuitable for housing. The area already has an overloaded sewerage system that often spills onto parts of the course. So, in these circumstances, why is Rondebosch Golf Club the focus of this affordable housing campaign? It is hard not to conclude that it is because the club is a soft target and protests by campaigning groups can gain maximum exposure for their justified cause. The protests have been peaceful, and it can be said that most members of the club sympathise with the cause of those who are clamouring for room to develop much-needed housing.
The worthy and needy housing campaigners should be concentrating their efforts on getting the authorities — city, province and state — to co-ordinate their powers to ensure rapid and imaginative redevelopment of this now useless airbase. Members of Rondebosch Golf Club, I am sure, would happily join any protest aimed at reclaiming the Youngsfield land for housing.Send us an e-mail with your says. Letters of more than 300 words will be edited for length.
Don't be bullies now.