No Scrooges at the Baxter Performance...

As a campaigner for social justice, Dickens would have been delighted with the turnout for the Princess Vlei Forum’s fundraising performance of Scrooge at the Baxter on January 22nd . Thanks to the generosity of Cape Tonians, the tickets were sold out, raising a generous contribution to the campaign to save the vlei from the commercial development of a shopping mall.

A number of distinguished guests turned out to support the cause. Foremost amongst these was Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who thoroughly enjoyed the exuberant performance and led a standing ovation for the talented cast. The presence of the Archbishop gave the evening an extra special meaning for the many school children at the performance. Students from LEAP Schools, and from neighbouring schools which have been particularly active in rehabilitating and cleaning up the vlei, were given tickets by generous sponsors.

Another distinguished guest was Cape Town benefactor Benny Rabinowitz, who had underwritten the performance and sponsored several tickets for students. Franklin Sonn and his wife also attended, as well as Rhoda Kadalie, James McGregor, and Councillor Dennis Joseph, Yusuf Pahad, Kent Morkel and former mayor Gordon Oliver.

Philip Bam, Chairperson of the Princess Vlei Forum, thanked the audience for their support, and called on everyone to make their views known to the City authorities:

‘And so, tonight, we are asking EACH of you to become ambassadors for our Red Flag Vlei campaign.... We are asking EACH of you to engage with and to publicise our cause. Let us make our message heard in every part of Cape Town. Let us galvanise our community to recognise its power. And let us work together to Save Princess Vlei.”

Trish Hutton Squire was just one of the many who attended who was moved by the event. “Last night at the Baxter was a special experience! When “Arch” was the first to stand for the ovation I felt very special to be part of it all. And yes, I will lay my body down if the earth moving machinery arrives at the vlei.”

The message has again gone out to the authorities that Cape Town’s citizens have a different vision for the vlei: to create a nature and heritage park accessible to the Cape Flats to be enjoyed by all our citizens. The money raised at Scrooge will take us closer to realising this vision. We call again on the City to abandon the proposed mall and work together with us on making this a reality