Cape Town - The City of Cape Town has given a circus school in Observatory until the end of the month to vacate the property so it can develop a multi-use field as part of the “enhancement” of Hartleyvale.
Dimitri Slaverse, founder of the South African National Circus School, said: “We are not sure what is going on. We are extremely disappointed that they did not discuss anything with us first.”
Slaverse said he first heard about the city’s plans to use the land when he received a registered letter in the post informing him that his 10-year lease, which expires next year, would not be renewed and that he had until July 31 to vacate the property.
But Belinda Walker, mayoral committee member for community services and special projects, said the lease would have expired next year on January 31 and that the city had the right to cancel the lease at any time if the land was needed for municipal purposes.
“The land is required for sporting purposes in order to enable more residents access to scarce and valuable sport and recreational space.”
The planned use of the circus land is part of a broader rationalisation strategy being introduced for all the city’s sport and recreation facilities. Walker said: “The nature and location of sport and recreation facilities within the city needs to continually evolve and develop to align with any future housing developments, transport routes and natural growth corridors and nodes.”
Hartleyvale and Malta Park have been earmarked for this rationalisation process because they include a cluster of sporting facilities with access to public transport.
Slaverse said the city had not consulted him about its plans, and to date not offered any alternatives.
He said he had spent almost 10 years building the non-governmental circus school into a facility where as many as 300 children a year from all backgrounds could develop their skills.
But Walker said it was not the city’s responsibility to find an alternative location. She said the circus was aware that the lease would expire next year, and the city had assumed that plans had been made to move elsewhere.
Despite the uncertainty facing the performers, the show will go on and the circus will hold two more Saturday shows before they have to move.
Slaverse has also started an online petition at change.org, where he appeals for support.
“To me, to my family and to all our performers and training artists, this is our entire lives, it’s what we live and breathe for every day. What about the future of the youth we train? We are all that most of them have – their chances will be diminished. We have so many wonderful plans for the future, for all the performers that make use of our tent for training, it’s a home away from home.”
Slaverse said the organisation did not have the funds to relocate to a new venue.
Respondents have commented on the circus’ petition page, saying: “Having the circus in our community provides children with the opportunity to develop their talents and self confidence.”
Another said the circus had a history of helping those who were disadvantaged by apartheid.
Cape Argus