People of the Deep South, this is not a “desktop exercise” or “just a draft”

The official Local Spatial Development Framework paints a different picture about the seriousness of the plans to build low-cost housing across the Deep South.

READ a detailed explanation of the DA’s role in densifying Cape Town.

In response to the lively discussions about the City of Cape Town’s proposal to develop multiple low-cost housing units across the Deep South, I was made aware of a comment by DA councillor Felicity Purchase concerning this proposal, which is formally know as the Local Spatial Development Framework (LSDF).

Councillor Purchase stated, “this is a desktop exercise done by a planner without background and has not been supported by Sub Council and neither by the local civics. It should not have been circulated in the first place. It is not something a threat to either communities.”

This sentiment of “oh don’t look here” and “this is just a draft” and “you have nothing to be concerned about” has been floating around over the past 24 hours on WhatsApp groups.

In light of the attempt to downplay the seriousness of the proposal, I am compelled to provide a response. I have chosen to publish this response to pre-empt any allegations of “misinformation.”

How did I come to learn of this plan?

On 20 October 2025, the principal of Bay Primary sent an email to multiple people, making us aware of the City of Cape Town’s plan to build a series of low-cost housing developments across the South Peninsula.

The message contained two links: one to the Local Spatial Development Framework for the Deep South, and another to a municipal feedback form inviting public comment.

The “final draft” of the LSDF is 52 pages long and is very detailed. The key take-aways from the LSDF are the following points.

Point 1: The plan has been in the pipeline for 10 years

In section 1.4 the document states that, “the first drafts of which were prepared in late 2015 and 2016, provided a comprehensive and (at that time) up to date baseline evaluation…”

Point 2: There are over 6 “preferred” locations for relocation

The preferred options for the “relocation” of the “Wetlands Informal Settlement” include:

1. Adjacent and east of Masi, and South of Masi
2. Lochiel Road smallholding
3. Ocean View
4. Ocean View potential infill sites
5. Fish Hoek (adjacent to hospital site)
6. Noordhoek sportsfields etc

Point 3: Elgin Park is a “potential” location for relocation

Elgin Park alongside the Bay Primary is not a “preferred” location, but is among the “potential areas for investigation” and is cited numerous times, one of which is a map of the park.

At the heart of the LSDF is the following: the DA-led City of Cape Town proposes to relocate residents of Masiphumelele to other “preferred” or “potential” sites.

Coming back to the comment “this is a desktop exercise.” I am of the opinion that this is a false statement for the following reasons:

• The LSDF is a 52 page, highly detailed document with maps and figures. To the average reader it looks more then a desktop exercise.
• The “first drafts of which were prepared in late 2015 and 2016.” How can a desktop exercise be a 10 year-long project? How much money and time has gone into this plan?
• The document itself says in section 5.3 that the, “implementation of key proposals identified in this LSDF… require some critical immediate actions.” There is a sense of urgency to it that would not be there if it were just a desktop exercise.

On a personal note, I am also saddened by the fact that DA are going to completely destroy the thriving community living at the Lochiel Road smallholding. If the DA continue on this path they will destroy the Lochiel Road community. What does this remind you of?

Another point to consider from Purchases comment is that if the document should not have been circulated, why then it is on the official City website? Sound like a cover up to me.

In defence of the Democratic Alliance, the document is a draft. Yet it is a draft a decade in the making and a final one. A draft serves as a model or proposal, not a mere placeholder. We are correct to be concerned with this final draft because of the unintended consequence of overpopulation.

What are we to do?

I am going to say this clearly. Unless we stop the DA led City of Cape Town the Deep South will be overpopulated and local resources such as school and the environment will be stretched beyond capacity.

Relocating people from Masiphumelele to “preferred” or “potential” areas merely displaces temporarily; the vacated areas in Masiphumelele will be occupied by new arrivals.

Not only will more people move into the space created in Masiphumelele, but those living in the new low-cost housing will build additional rooms for rental.

How do we stop them?

Stopping the City will be difficult. The plan is already well advanced, and we lack the financial resources to challenge a municipality who can draw on public funds to defend its position.

The only language that politicians understand are votes. We have a moral obligation to protest by withholding support from the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the next election. If we vote them in again our children and grand-children will suffer with overpopulation and the impact on resources such as schools and the environment.

The DA has long benefited from fear-based narratives such as the ANC Gevaar narrative. This is outdated rhetoric and there are alternatives such as the Freedom Front Plus, the Referendum Party, and the Organic Humanity Movement. It’s your choice.

I urge you to contact your councillor and inform them that if the City goes ahead with developing these units that you will stop voting for the DA.

What should the City of Cape Town do?

The DA-led City of Cape Town should continue to focus on developing Masiphumelele itself. Rather than relocating residents and then allowing others to occupy the vacated space, the City must invest directly in building housing within Masiphumelele.