Vision statement

Holding public office does not only require firmness and dedication, but most importantly the commitment to support each other in our collective pursuit to do more for the residents of Cape Town. This level of support requires extreme discipline to focus on the desired outcome, and to sustain traction to ensure we make progress possible together.

The work cannot be done without having the necessary political and administrative support in place. We are in a unique position to do a lot more for the residents of Cape Town, which can be further enhanced if we continue with consistency in our conduct, clarity in our values and confidence in our administration. This approach creates the required certainty for our stakeholders who live, play and work in our beautiful city.

Priorities for the term of office

• To improve the City’s organisational efficiency and to ensure the City is more accessible and responsive to residents and business. Furthermore, to pursue projects that will ignite economic growth and job creation so that our residents have the freedom and opportunity to realise their full potential.
• Urban Catalytic Investment – the urban rejuvenation of Bellville, and investment in the Philippi Opportunity Area to ignite economic development and job creation.
• Urban Planning and Design - improve on the City’s urban planning and design processes and make these more accessible to residents in simple, clear language.
• Development Management - to streamline all of the processes related to the assessment and approval of development and building plan applications, and to address bottlenecks that prevent a quick turnaround time and cause delays.
• Environmental Management – nurturing Cape Town’s vast natural resources and biodiversity.

During this term of office there will be an urgent focus on the impact of pollution on Cape Town vleis and recreational coastal nodes, and solutions that will address the water quality issues at the city’s three vleis, in particular.

Biography

Alderman Andrews served as a ward councillor for Mitchells Plain and Plumstead for a period of 10 years from 2011 - 2021, and as Subcouncil 12 chairperson from 2011 - 2016. From 2016 - 2017, he served as the Mayoral Committee Member for Tourism, Events and Economic Development; and from 2017 - 2019 as the Mayoral Committee Member for Area-based Service Delivery. Since 2019, he has served as the chairperson of the Spatial Planning and Environment Portfolio committee.

Projects and departments

Urban Catalytic Investment

Bellville is the City’s second central business district and has significant potential to stimulate Cape Town’s economic recovery during and post Covid-19. With its central location and unique locational attributes, the Bellville Future City can be the centre of academic excellence; a commercial, retail and industrial centre for multinational corporates and small and medium-sized enterprises; and home to the city’s busiest public transport interchange with over 300 000 daily commuters.

The Philippi Opportunity Area (POA) is prioritised as a catalytic precinct and earmarked for significant future investment and development. Philippi has significant potential for economic development given that it is close to the Cape Town International Airport, has a well-established industrial area in the east, and its proximity to the Philippi Horticultural Area (PHA) that produces in excess of 100 000 tons of fresh produce per year.

Urban Planning and Design

The City’s Municipal Spatial Development Framework, the spatial frameworks for the City’s eight planning districts, as well as the local neighbourhood plans known as Local Spatial Development Frameworks, fall under the Department for Urban Planning and Design. Together, these plans provide guidance on how, where, and what type of development should happen to provide for Cape Town’s growing population, while preserving our natural, environmental, and heritage assets. These plans must guide sustainable development that improve residents’ living conditions, brings people closer to job opportunities and prevent a sprawling city with poor quality of life, high living costs, traffic congestion, high carbon emissions and environmental degradation.

Due to its location, its vast coastline and pristine mountains and rich biodiversity, Cape Town has limited land suitable for development. Thus, these plans or policy guidelines, must ensure we use developable land to its full potential where growth is inward instead of outward; developments include a variety of uses, where suitable; and the provision of housing and services such as roads, electricity, water, and sewage is affordable and sustainable in the long-term.

Environmental Management

Cape Town’s environmental assets such as its nature reserves, vleis, protected areas and coastline must be conserved and protected. Cape Town’s coastline covers a distance of over 307km and draws millions of visitors every year. It is a national asset and contributed approximately R40 billion per annum, or 10%, to our local economy, pre-Covid-19. Furthermore, Cape Town’s irreplaceable biodiversity makes it a unique and desirable place to live, work, and visit.

Contact

Alderman Eddie Andrews

Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member: Spatial Planning and Environment

Telephone:
021 400 2963

Email:
Edwin.Andrews@capetown.gov.za

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