Report by Johan Snyman (MBA), Former Member of the Executive Committee of the Greater Pretoria Metropolitan Council responsible for Parks and Recreation and at present member responsible for Tourism, in the Ward Committee of Ward 52,chaired by Councillor Adriana Randall.
Introduction
The “East and more so Waterkloof and surroundings are normally associated with the Guest House industry in Pretoria, who is again associated with tourism in Pretoria.
Places like The Fountains, Derdepark Recreational Park, Rietondale Park and others are normally associated with recreation in Pretoria.
Ms. Elzette Maarschalk, a property owner in The Moot, was advocating the opportunity to create a recreation and tourism node in the Moot that will be unique and to the benefit of the community of the Moot, the City of Tshwane, national and international visitors.
The opportunity reminds me of the project of the City of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. The Coppa Cabana beach stretches for 2.5 kilometres next to the four-lane beach road. Two lanes to the east are separated by an isle from the traffic moving in two lanes to the west. On Sundays this project ensures that the two lanes closest to the sea, are converted into a pedestrians only road. The street belongs to the ratepayers and dogs interested in walking, jogging, roller-skating, etc.
After several meetings with Ms Maarschalk, Mr Joseph Clark and other role players, it is my pleasure to present on behalf of those role players and myself,(that is now a converted prophet), to the Ward committee of Ward 52, the proposal for the ‘Moot” recreation and tourism node.
The venue
Normally a node refers to an area with a spine in the form of a road or a river or a mountain, where certain associated activities are taking place. The proposed ‘MOOT” recreation and tourism node will entail recommendations to enhance pedestrian activities and decrease and slow down vehicles, along the 2.5 kilometre long Breyer avenue in Waverley, Pretoria in the City of Tshwane, stretching from Codonia avenue in the west to the T junction close to Bergtuin in the East, next to the southern slope of the Magaliesberg..
What will the ‘Moot” recreation and tourism node entail?
The node will become an attractive and safe haven for pedestrians to use when they want to:
* Walk,
* Jog,
* Run a 2.4 kilometre distance
* Walk the dog,
* Cycle
* Exercise in the open air
* Roller-skate or
* Use the mountain paths in the Magalies Mountains, where a project is in the planning phase to put antelope and buck in the green belt on the mountain.
How will it be accomplished?
The node will be established in such a way that it will be safe to pedestrians, as motor vehicles will be limited to the minimum, without restricting them, and slowed down as it will be usable in such a way that it will be the preferred road for property owners and those who want to make use of the ‘Moot” recreation and tourism facilities, only, to use the road by vehicle.
Council will be requested to support the tourism node by giving fast tracked permission to requests for Guest houses and Coffee shops in homes on Breyer avenue, that fulfil the requirements. It will also be requested to remove the fencing between Breyer avenue and the two parks adjacent to Breyer avenue to include the parks in the ‘MOOT” recreation and tourism node.
What will be necessary to establish the node?
To make this vision a reality, it will be necessary to:
* get the blessing of the ward committee of ward 52
* ensure community information and participation by means of meetings with members of the Community and the steering committee of the planned BMW City Improvement District.
* apply to the City of Tshwane for approval to implement the plan ask council to budget and takes responsibility for the legally required road signs and the erection of the 1 Meter high poles.
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