scarborough village association
The Scarborough Village Association (SVA) addresses community challenges in Scarborough. It represents residents to civic organizations, coordinates volunteer activities through specialized teams, and finances these efforts with membership fees. Membership is open to all residents, both owners and renters, requiring only an annual fee.
The SVA operates through an Executive Committee (Exco), elected annually, which oversees and supports Task Teams. These teams focus on specific projects or challenges, allowing residents to contribute their skills and time in a flexible and targeted way. Teams address ongoing needs such as waste management and community care, as well as temporary issues like water security or pandemic responses.
task teams
🔴 baboons:
Coordinate baboon related issues affecting the village. Liaise with organisations (City of Cape Town, NCC, SANParks, Cape Nature)
🔴 baskloof:
Liaise and assist Baskloof Private Nature Reserve re access permits, path maintenance, signage, alien vegetation management.
⚪️ beach facility & safety:
Development, maintenance, and oversight of amenities and infrastructure that enhance the overall beach experience while prioritizing public safety. Monitoring and improving facilities such as restrooms, signage, and accessibility features. Safety protocols and regulations.
🔴 guest houses:
Liaise with BnB owners/operators re compliance issues regarding waste, noise etc. to ensure guests are positive visitors to our village.
🔴 building development:
Manage departure approval, architectural monitoring of building projects. Engage with builders & owners to ensure compliance and respect during building operations eg. road access, site toilets, building hours, noise, waste management.
⚪️ business activity:
Engage with village’s commercial enterprises to identify and resolve issues regarding, noise, parking & signage.
⚪️ civic organizations:
Ensure that Scarborough’s links to greater Cape Town are maintained by active participation in regional organisations such as the Far South Peninsula Community Forum, Greater Cape Town Civic Alliance, Fire Protection Association, City of Cape Town and our Ward Councillor.
⚪️ communication and networking:
Coordinate village communication channels: web site, newsletters, Telegram and WhatsApp groups. Manage the Scarborough Pod network (neighbor groups at street level.
🔴 community center:
Assist The City to effectively manage both maintenance work and events at the Community Centre.
🔴 community care:
Identify and care for vulnerable, elderly and sick residents in our village.
🟢 dark skies:
Preserve the village’s unique dark sky attributes by encouraging sensitive lighting practises.
🟢 dog matters:
Encourage responsible dog management; track incidents; mediate and assist in resolving problems; support law enforcement process when needed.
⚪️ green space & fire risk:
Protect and improve public open space, unmade roads, public pathways, road verges. Identify overgrown private & public areas that pose a fire hazard. Contact owners & The City to resolve issues.
⚪️ neighbours:
Promote and strengthen ties with our neighbouring communities e.g. Misty Cliffs, Kommetjie, Noordhoek, Ocean View, Red Hill, Plateau Road.
⚪️ outreach:
Forum for organisations working within our neighbouring communities. e.g. Redhill Food & Literacy Project, Redhill Animal Rescue.
🔴 roads, traffic, stormwater:
Monitor & liaise with City re road & storm-water maintenance, traffic calming, signage & law enforcement.
🔴 SANParks liaison:
Liaise and assist SANParks on matters of shared concern e.g. waste management, alien growth, infrastructure, fences, wildlife, events.
🔴 security:
Liaison with village security operators (CIS & ISS), Keepers, SAPS, CPF. Finance, maintain and operate the security camera network.
🔴 telecoms:
Improve telecom services by liaising with service providers for cell phone, landline and internet.
🟢 database and map:
Maintain village database and related maps. Data to include resident’s address & contact info, village infrastructure e.g. water mains, water valves, fire hydrants.
🔴 village info & website:
Compile all info relevant to the village. Create documents to be made available to all residents and visitors. Guidelines for hospitality operators and their guests. Website for distribution
🔴 waste and recycling:
Encourage correct waste management practises by sharing info, monitoring both residents and City behaviour. Liaise with City and contractors. Encourage local recycling entrepreneurs. Liaise with restaurants and local business. Manage local recycling facilities.
🔴 water supply:
Reduce water losses by ensuring reporting and emergency repair of water leaks. Record all leak locations and causes. Record and map all water infrastructure.
🔴 water quality:
Monitor and report on the increasing impact on surface and groundwater, created by our current methods of wastewater disposal ie. septic tanks, soak aways and conservancy tanks. Encourage the transition to responsible wastewater management.
⚪️ wetland:
Protect the status of the wetland on our southern boundary by ensuring regulatory compliance of intended developments. Monitor alien growth which threatens the fragile wetland ecosystem and creates a fire hazard.
