Simon's Town Civic We Care

SIMON’S TOWN AMENITIES DEVELOPMENT COMPANY (STADCO)

This Section 21 – not for profit – company was founded in 2003 by the Simon’s Town Civic Association (STC) and the Simon’s Town Business Association with a view to taking over management of Jubilee Square and utilising the income to the benefit of the Town as a whole. A decision had been taken not to attempt to form a CID (conventional route) because of the unique difficulties surrounding the ownership of property in the town and the legal requirements then in force. To some extent the delay in bringing about our aims can be contributed to this decision.

Membership (shareholding) in STADCO is open to all residents or ratepayers in Simon’s Town. This applies to one property and only to the person in whose name the property is owned or leased. A one off non-refundable payment of R25 is payable to purchase a “share” and a liability is then incurred of R10 should the company ever fail. Current membership is 183 (Feb 2008). Application forms can be obtained from the STADCO office on Jubilee Square. (Parking office)

While discussions – that lasted three years – continued with the City of Cape Town (CCT), STADCO took over financial control of the Penguin Festival in 2003 to be followed by the New Year Party in 2006. Following approaches from the Simon’s Town Community Police Forum in 2006 it was agreed to bring the assets comprising all CCTV cameras in the town under our control for purposes of accounting and insurance. These are now monitored from the Jubilee Square office. Together with assets inherited from the New Year Party and purchased by STADCO these now total nearly R200,000 at cost.
In mid 2007 the CCT finally agreed to let STADCO assume management control of Jubilee Square provided that the Town Jetty was also included. This was readily agreed to and full control commenced on the 1st October 2007. As far as we are aware this is the first time in South Africa that a Municipality has handed over such an area to private management. It is a rolling agreement without any unwelcome stipulations and has resulted in the employment of seven permanent staff from the disadvantaged community under the supervision of a Square/Jetty Manager.
While initial reaction from some was not positive we had been living with the concept for three years and could better visualise the outcome. We feel this is now evident to all, has resulted in better parking for residents and tourists alike and that, while much superficial work has been completed, we can build from here. Income over the holiday period has been excellent but we must first work through the winter to estimate annual income. Only then can we look to branch into wider reaching programs. A considerable amount will need to be expended on the Town Jetty on repairs that are not immediately evident to the eye.

The AGM and presentation of accounts took place in 2007 immediately prior to the STCA half yearly meeting at the end of August. This proved very successful and we will follow that concept again this year.

The current Directors of STADCO (all of whom are unpaid) are CJF Duncan (Chairman),

EM Green (Vice Chairman), IB Allan (Treasurer), A Wolmerans (Secretary), PJ Inggs, Dr J Morris and M Choudree. The Square/Jetty manager is W Storer. We welcome new members and any expertise they can bring to company. Please join us.
Staff on the Square are Cynthia, Welcome, Paul and William, the street cleaner (who operates three days on and one off from the Police station to the Railway station) is Alfred, the handyman/painter is Nico while the lady who relieves you of parking money is Pinky. Every cent of that is ploughed back.