By Mike Flax, Chairperson of the King David Mowbray Golf Club (KDM)
A groundswell of community opposition against the proposed mixed-use development of the King David Mowbray Golf Club (KDM) has realised. A petition to save KDM has surpassed 2 000 signatures in just three days.
At the first public participation meeting held in February, residents and stakeholders rallied to protect this vital community asset, emphasising its significance as more than just a recreational space.
The 115-year-old KDM stands as a beacon of inclusion, development and heritage within Cape Town. The proposed development threatens to end the club’s role in supporting local employment through golf tourism, providing access to disabled golfers, fostering youth development programs, and preserving vital green spaces in the city.
“This is not just about a golf course, it’s about preserving a community cornerstone,” stated Trevor Steensma, KDM’s GM.
“We have over 25 000 rounds played by overseas visitors every year. KDM also has a unique local history as a true melting pot, uniting members from three clubs – the King David, Peninsula and Mowbray clubs.”
Petitioners believe that the city’s needs – including urgently addressing affordable housing through mixed-use developments – is possible without sacrificing irreplaceable community assets like the club.
“We are calling on city officials to explore alternative solutions. There are so many vacant and unused portions of land throughout the metro. Why destroy a working asset?” asked Steensma.
At the first public participation meeting held in the Pineland Town Hall on the evening of 26 February, attendants highlighted the severe pressure a large development would place on already over-burdened school capacity in the area.
In the formal presentation to the attendees it was also highlighted that five traffic intersections surrounding the potential development site are already highly strained, raising fears of future traffic deadlock in Pinelands, should the development realise. Other concerns included that the course functions as a crucial flood barrier for two adjacent rivers.
“KDM is also the national home and head office of disabled golf,” said Lily Reich, operations manager at the South African Disabled Golf Association.
“We are anxious about the future. Relocating our activities to another golf course is simply not an option. Without our partnership with KDM, we simply would not have the resources to continue the programme. Hundreds of disabled players and disabled beginners on school level find meaning through our programmes every week,” said Reich.
