Late summer in Cape Town brings hot temperatures, strong winds and dry conditions. These months place increased pressure on our environment, infrastructure and communities.
This year, fire season remains at its peak, the City has urged reduced water consumption due to low dam levels and below-average rainfall predictions, and heatwave warnings have also been issued.
Preparedness is not about alarm – it is about awareness and shared responsibility. As always, your CID remains available for matters relating to public safety and urban maintenance, so please always report any relevant incidents.
As the year draws to a close, the BVID looks back on twelve months of sustained progress in keeping Beaconvale cleaner, safer and more resilient. From public safety patrols to urban cleaning and rapid response to service requests, our team has remained focused on delivering the services that help businesses operate with confidence.
This year’s statistics, illustrated in the infographics below, highlight the day-to-day work that keeps our district running smoothly. Whether attending to service requests, responding to public safety incidents, clearing illegal dumping or maintaining public spaces, the CID continues to provide consistent, on-the-ground support for the precinct.
Public Safety & Security
Our public safety team continues to play a vital role in maintaining a safe and responsive environment. Regular vehicle and foot patrols, proactive engagement with the public, the recovery of stolen goods, and coordinated responses to incidents are all part of our commitment to crime prevention.
The festive season often brings increased movement, higher visitor numbers and a rise in opportunistic crime, making the presence of the CID’s public safety officers even more essential at this time of year.
Urban Cleaning & Management
Across Beaconvale, our cleaning and maintenance teams have worked throughout the year to keep streets, verges and public spaces clean and well managed. Activities such as removing litter, clearing illegal dumping, attending to urban defects, servicing public bins and keeping stormwater infrastructure clear have all contributed to creating a more inviting environment for workers, visitors and businesses.
These ongoing operations ensure that the district remains functional and well maintained despite seasonal changes, heavy usage and broader service delivery pressures.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Cape Town continues to experience strong growth, driven in part by ongoing semigration as more people and businesses relocate to the city. This shift brings both opportunity and increased pressure on urban environments, making the role of CIDs more important than ever. Against this backdrop, our focus remains on delivering reliable, high-quality public safety and urban cleaning services that support a well-managed and resilient district.
As Gene Lohrentz, Managing Director of Geocentric Urban Management, notes:
“Throughout the year, we have kept our focus on delivering consistent and effective public safety and urban cleaning services. The continued progress in these areas reflects the dedication of our teams. We look forward to building on this momentum as we move into 2026.”
Geocentric, now in its sixteenth year of partnership with City Improvement Districts, proudly oversees 14 of Cape Town’s 54 CIDs. Our commitment remains centred on strengthening service delivery, supporting business growth and ensuring that each district remains a thriving, welcoming space.
Festive Season Safety Tips
As the holidays approach, it is important for businesses to remain vigilant. The festive season typically brings increased foot traffic, higher crime risks and a heightened chance of fire incidents. The following tips can help safeguard your property, staff and operations.
Protect Your Business & Property
Keep your security systems in good working order: Test alarms, CCTV cameras, access control systems, security lighting and gate mechanisms to ensure they are fully functional.
Improve exterior lighting: Well-lit areas act as a deterrent and support visibility for security personnel. Consider using timers and motion sensors to improve efficiency.
Make use of professional security services: Invest in reputable security or armed response services, and stay connected to community information channels such as WhatsApp groups or neighbourhood watch networks.
Fire safety matters: Check fire extinguishers, ensure flammable materials are stored safely, train staff in fire procedures and confirm that your fire detection systems are operational.
Retail & Business Operations
Install panic buttons and adequate surveillance: Strategically place panic buttons and ensure that cameras are positioned to avoid blind spots.
Be alert during opening and closing times: These periods are high-risk and require extra vigilance from staff.
Avoid predictable cash deposit patterns: Vary the timing and route of deposits to reduce the likelihood of targeting.
Secure all access points: Before leaving your premises, check all doors, windows, roller shutters and gates, ensuring they are properly locked and in good working order.
Staff & Customer Safety
Verify all new employees: Request identification, proof of residence and previous references before hiring.
Monitor stock and cash handling: Regularly review inventory, equipment and cash procedures.
Train staff for emergencies: Ensure all employees know what to do in the event of a fire, robbery or medical emergency.
Road Safety
Ensure vehicles are roadworthy: Service vehicles regularly and check essentials such as spare tyres, jacks and warning triangles.
Stay alert on the roads: The festive period sees increased traffic and higher numbers of intoxicated drivers. Take extra care and avoid driving when tired and when the roads are extremely busy over holidays.
Stay Vigilant: Road Crime & ATM Safety
Prevent road crime: Keep valuables out of sight, remain aware of your surroundings and ensure doors are locked when stationary or driving.
Stay safe at ATMs: Use well-lit machines, avoid distractions and never share your PIN with anyone.
As the seasons shift from winter to spring, the Beaconvale Improvement District continues its work to keep our urban environment clean, safe and well maintained. This is also the time when we prepare for our Annual General Meeting (AGM 2025), where we reflect on the year’s achievements and look ahead to 2025/26.
We invite all stakeholders to join us for our AGM – an important opportunity to participate in shaping the future of our community. Full details are provided below.
AGM 2025
Save the Date!
An important event on our annual agenda, the Beaconvale Improvement District AGM is scheduled for Monday, 13 October 2025 at 10:00 at Unit A1, Connaught Park, McGregor Street, Beaconvale. Stakeholders are encouraged to attend.
Only bona fide members may vote on resolutions. Non-members wishing to participate must be registered before Thursday, 2 October 2025.RSVP to info@beaconvalecid.co.za.
Become a Member
To become a member there are a few documents that need to be filled out. Under the Companies Act, the Members’ Register must contain the following information in respect of each member: (a) name; (b) business, residential or postal address; (c) email address (unless person has declined to provide an email address); and (d) an identifying number unique to that person (e.g. a RSA ID number).
Over the past months, our teams have been hard at work maintaining and refreshing the Beaconvale area. These projects are aimed at improving the quality of the public environment for all who live, work and visit here.
Our focus has included:
Urban cleaning and maintenance – tackling illegal dumping, graffiti removal, gutter and drain cleaning, poster removal and high-pressure sanitising.
Greening initiatives – planting, landscaping and maintaining public spaces to create a more welcoming and environmentally friendly urban landscape.
Ongoing upgrades – responding to service requests, addressing problem areas, and ensuring that seasonal changes don’t compromise the safety or cleanliness of our streets.
Together, these efforts lay the foundation for a brighter, cleaner and greener spring season.
Deweeding & Grass cutting – before, during and after
Spring updates from BVID
In Beaconvale, recent projects have included large-scale deweeding and grass cutting, as well as gutter and drain cleaning to prevent blockages from winter rainfall. The team has also addressed illegal dumping and graffiti removal, ensuring public spaces remain safe and welcoming.
Removal of graffiti, illegal dumping, cleaning of drains, green bins and gutters – before, during, after
A major highlight was the Brentford Street upgrade project, where extensive work was carried out to improve the streetscape and maintain the surrounding area with a “pop-up park”. These efforts, supported by ongoing poster removal and targeted sanitising of public spaces, contribute to a cleaner, greener Beaconvale for residents, businesses and visitors.
City Updates
Switch to eBilling before 31 December 2025
The City of Cape Town is phasing out paper bills, with all municipal accounts to be sent by email from 1 January 2026. To switch to eBilling, simply send your account number and email address to Revenue.Eservices@capetown.gov.za or via SMS to 31223. More than 475 000 residents have already made the move, enjoying faster, more efficient and environmentally friendly billing. Customers without email access can still receive paper bills by contacting the City’s Call Centre on 0860 103 089 for assistance.
Building a Cleaner, Greener Cape Town – The City’s New Waste Strategy
The City of Cape Town has launched its new Waste Strategy, a long-term roadmap to deliver sustainable, affordable and future-fit waste services for all residents and businesses. With illegal dumping, landfill reliance and growing urban waste challenges, the strategy sets out clear goals to improve data and technology use, drive behaviour change, strengthen partnerships and close service gaps.
Centred on three pillars – optimising existing services, minimising waste to landfill, and maximising service offerings – the strategy calls on everyone to play their part in building a cleaner, greener Cape Town.
From 1 July 2025, as part of the new municipal financial year, customers may notice changes to electricity tariffs and the way items appear on their municipal accounts. These reforms are designed to ensure sustainable service delivery into the future while continuing to provide price relief where possible.
For more information, please see the City’s electricity price relief overview pamphlet.
As temperatures drop and the rains return, winter in Cape Town brings with it both seasonal challenges and the opportunity for communities to come together. For residents and businesses, preparation is key to ensuring safety and continuity. At the same time, the City of Cape Town is stepping up support for our most vulnerable residents through its strengthened Winter Readiness Programme.
This season, we share practical tips on how to prepare your property for winter, and we highlight the ways the City is working with shelters and non-profit organisations to offer care and dignity to those most in need.
NOTICE OF EXTENSION: DRAFT BUDGET 2025/26 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD
Following thorough consideration of all inputs received, the City has proposed several key amendments. Interested parties may view the draft budget in full and comment on the amendments between 28 May and 13 June 2025. Should any comments made during the initial public participation period not have been addressed, you are welcome to comment again. Please visit www.capetown.gov.za for the full amended draft budget documents and any supporting material. The residential calculator has also been updated to reflect the proposed amendments.
A budget of R84,1 billion will be spent in the metropolitan area to ensure that services are maintained, improved and expanded, that capital projects are rolled out and that the IDP is implemented.
Budget Summary & Documentation
The City of Cape Town’s budget reflects its key policy decisions and priorities, determines rates increases and indicates where money will be spent on programmes and services. View the full Draft Budget 2025/26 with associated documentation on the City’s website. For a summary of the budget, see the presentation and the advert (English | Afrikaans | isiXhosa).
The documents can also be accessed on the City website from 28 March 2025 at www.capetown.gov.za/budget.
Welcome to 2025: Strengthening Our City Improvement Districts
As we settle into 2025, we reaffirm our commitment to maintaining safe, clean and thriving business districts through the dedicated work of our City Improvement District (CID). As a CID, our mandate focuses on improving public spaces through cleansing, infrastructure maintenance and environmental initiatives, supporting local businesses and ensuring urban safety, in collaboration with the City of Cape Town.
For more on the role of the City Improvement Districts, read our FAQs.
As we move through the peak of summer – characterised by high temperatures and strong winds in the Cape – we focus on essential seasonal safety topics, including fire prevention, urban wildlife awareness and heatwave precautions.
As 2024 draws to a close, the Beaconvale City Improvement District celebrates a year of notable achievements in making our area a cleaner, safer and more vibrant community. And, we share our festive season safety tips for businesses and all those going on holiday this season.
2024 in review – efficient service delivery in urban cleaning.
Urban Cleaning Success
This year, our urban cleaning and management efforts have continued to be a priority across our City Improvement District. Thanks to the tireless work of our team, our streets and public spaces remain clean and well maintained. Improved waste management, rapid response to urban defects, and efficient service delivery have all contributed to creating a cleaner environment for residents and businesses.
Looking Ahead
“Despite a tough economic climate, rising costs and ongoing service delivery challenges, we’ve stayed focused on delivering high-quality services,” says Gene Lohrentz, Managing Director of Geocentric Urban Management. “The achievements in urban cleaning and continual focus on crime prevention in deploying ever more safety officers this year are a testament to this commitment. We’re eager to continue this momentum into 2025.”
Geocentric, a partner in managing CIDs for 15 years, proudly oversees 13 of the 54 City Improvement Districts (CIDs).
Our Board and Geocentric management team are dedicated to innovative and effective approaches to service delivery, ensuring our district remains a thriving, inclusive community for all. Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership in these endeavours. Here’s to a safe, clean and prosperous 2025!
As the year progresses, we invite all stakeholders to join us for Beaconvale Improvement District’s Annual General Meeting (AGM 2024). This is a vital opportunity to reflect on our achievements over the past year and begin planning for 2025/26. Details below.
This year, we have worked on revising our Frequently Asked Questions with the City, revisiting the official definitions of a City Improvement District to create a better understanding of the CIDs and how we work.
Read on for more.
Save the Date!
We are excited to announce that AGM 2024 is just around the corner. All stakeholders are welcome to participate as we review our progress and set the direction for the year ahead.
Please note: Resolutions presented at the AGM can only be voted on by bonafide members. All non-members wishing to take part must be registered before Thursday, 10 October 2024.
AGM Details
Date: Monday, 21 October 2024 Time: 10:00 Venue: Fi Group, Unit A1, Connaught Park, McGregor Street, Beaconvale, 7500
We’ve recently updated our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section, providing a detailed overview of City Improvement Districts (CIDs) in the City of Cape Town. This update covers how CIDs are formed, their regulatory framework, the benefits they offer property owners, and the types of services they provide. Additionally, it explains the different types of CIDs and the process for establishing one.
Do Property Owners Have a Say? Yes, all property owners can participate, but only registered members can vote at meetings like the AGM. Membership is required to have a vote.
Can my CID additional rates be spent anywhere in the City? No, it is ring-fenced to be ploughed back exclusively into the CID
Winter in Cape Town is a time in which poverty and homelessness become heightened social issues, because of the extremely harsh weather conditions. At the same time, the annual Mandela Day initiative coincides, taking place this 18 July, helping to bring hope and support to vulnerable communities.
Indigent people in South Africa are an inherent part of the cityscape, with hundreds of thousands of people homeless and living on the streets.
It is well-known that cash handouts are not a good solution for supporting people living on the streets – as these often serve to fuel the problem by funding addiction and other negative or self-perpetuating behaviour.
However, most of us would like to help in some way to combat poverty and inequality. For this reason, it’s important to work with known NGOs, nonprofits or charities, who have built social infrastructures and relationships that have longevity.
Mould, Empower, Serve: how City Improvement Districts are working with MES
MES Cape Town is a key partner in the mission to sustainably rehome the homeless across various City Improvement Districts. Their extensive network of outreach and social relief programs provides the vital reach and resources our CID needs. Additionally, their responsive help desk is always available to assist with the immediate and short-term needs of the homeless and unemployed community.
We work closely with MES to identify individuals for casual labour on specific projects. Their team actively scouts promising candidates, placing them with us each week on a probationary basis as one of our on-the-ground workers, fondly known as our “Green Ants”. For those who show dedication, we offer pathways for them to become supervisors and advance their training, making them valuable members of our workforce in a way that allows us to support their growth.
To ensure the funds generated through our partnership are used effectively, we pay stipends directly to MES, which helps cover their living expenses sustainably throughout their stay.
Winter Hope 2024
MES is running a WinterHope campaign until the end of July, in a mission to spread hope and warmth this winter, by gathering essential items such as warm clothing, blankets, and nourishing food supplies.
Visit MES @mouldempowerserve on Facebook, or @mesorgsa on Instagram, to see causes near you to support this winter.
As we move into the cooler months, we’re looking back and highlighting the efforts made during Q1 to keep the Beaconvale City Improvement District a safe and clean place to live, work and visit. At this time, we also start preparing for winter with all the necessary maintenance to public space, and we ask you to take care of your property and business by doing the same. Lastly, we offer our safety tips for your wheelie bin, which can become a security hazard, especially as our daylight hours decrease.
Looking back at Q1
For Quarter One 2024, we focused on maintaining a safe environment through our security initiatives, which include ensuring bin-pickers and loiterers are monitored and dealt with. Additionally, the Beaconvale City Improvement District’s cleanliness was a priority, with our cleaning services ensuring a well-maintained space through initiatives such as emptying public bins on time and cleaning public gutters when needed. You can learn more about what we accomplished this quarter below.
On the ground report from our CID manager
Our CID manager shares a positive incident dealt with by the CID this quarter below.
“We noticed on camera a commotion in front of Liquor King 22 Connaught Road. Zero dispatched both response vehicles to check. We noticed a man with a knife in his hand fighting with a lady, who was already bleeding from his stomach. Response informed us that both the man and woman were drunk and fighting over money. Zero informed the police and obtained a reference number. The man refused medical attention for the wound. Police took too long to respond. Our officers managed to get the knife out of the man’s hand and calm him down. We also managed to calm the situation down and they decided to leave.”
Wheelie Bin Safety
Learn how to keep your wheelie bin and property safe, or replace a lost bin, with these helpful tips.
Keeping your wheelie bin secure benefits both you and the community. Clearly marking your bin with your house number or address increases the chances of its safe return if it gets misplaced. But security goes beyond just the bin itself. To ensure your overall safety, be mindful of what you throw away. Avoid discarding medication bottles with your name or address visible. Shred any personal documents before disposal to prevent identity theft.
Bin placement also plays a role in security. Leaving your wheelie bin too close to walls or fences creates a potential climbing aid for trespassers. Ideally, store your bin in a designated area, like a garage or shed, whenever possible. If not, position it in a well-lit, open area away from fences and walls. By following these simple tips, you can keep your wheelie bin secure and reduce potential security risks around your property.
Winter Readiness
The crisp air and cosy vibes of winter are fast approaching, but so are the challenges of rain, wind and potential disruptions. Don’t get caught off guard! We’ve got you covered with essential tips to navigate the season seamlessly.
From keeping your property prepared and business functioning smoothly, to staying safe on the roads, these handy suggestions will help you embrace the winter flow.
