Hout Bay and Kalk Bay communities demand inclusion in harbour revitalisation plans

While the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment celebrated the revitalisation of South Africa’s Proclaimed Fishing Harbours—with infrastructure and safety upgrades rolled out across 12 key Western Cape sites—communities like Hout Bay and Kalk Bay say they’re being sidelined in the process.

According to the Department’s June 2025 progress report, recent improvements include round-the-clock security at high-risk locations, full signage installations, and the clearance of derelict vessels.

More than 300 vessels now make use of mooring facilities at the upgraded harbours, which collectively handled over 1,000 vessels in the last financial year. Minister Dion George praised the progress.

“These harbours are more than physical structures. They are the engine rooms of local economies. We are now seeing the impact of steady, focused work to restore and secure these public assets.”

But while officials mark milestones, the community of Hout Bay said they’ve largely been excluded from planning and consultation.

Roscoe Gabriels Jacobs, a community leader in Hout Bay, said: “There have been meetings with the minister regarding the harbour, and while the minister has plans, the approach is not community-based. Only a few hand-selected people have been consulted. He didn’t actually engage with the affected community.”

Jacobs said the harbour affects more than just fishers:

“The harbour is a gem within the community of Hout Bay. Although it affects the fishers, it also impacts the broader community. That is why we wanted all stakeholders to be consulted.”

“It seems as if there is an agenda to keep the community out. We don’t have ownership of our gems. We just see statements from officials — that’s the only way we get updated.”

His sentiments were echoed in Kalk Bay. Ferial Davids, a fish hawker based at Kalk Bay Harbour, voiced similar frustrations:

“Whatever they came to do here, they never came to do. It’s still the same. They don’t keep us up to date, they don’t inform us, they don’t have meetings with us.”

“I’m the one that is here all the time to see what is going on. Maybe when they decide to have a meeting, we can also be included. The last time we had a meeting was so long ago — about the fees at the harbour.”

Another worker at the harbour added:

“The last known upgrades or work carried out at the harbour was four or five years ago. The old buildings are still broken. The minister was here a couple of months back — he engaged with the harbour master, but nothing came of it.”

She said key issues were being overlooked:

“If we had a chance to speak to the minister, we would say the main thing is to upgrade the buildings, the fish cleaning shed, the offices — all our workspaces need to be upgraded.”

According to workers, only Public Works has conducted some basic repairs—installing a boom, lights, and electric boxes on the pier. But structural issues remain unaddressed.

Meanwhile, the Department said its continuing to roll out security upgrades to harbours including Hout Bay, Kalk Bay, Hermanus, and Gansbaai. Procurement is currently underway, with installations proceeding as budgets allow.

“We are investing in the future of coastal communities by ensuring these harbours are safe, accessible and fit for purpose. This is meaningful progress, and it will continue,” Minister George stated.

Yet the chorus from local communities is clear: they want meaningful inclusion, not just after-the-fact announcements.

tracy-lynn.ruiters@inl.co.za

Weekend Argus