As the colder months settle in across Cape Town, winter brings with it a range of seasonal challenges for businesses, property owners and the broader community. Heavy rainfall, flooding, sewer blockages, reduced visibility and storm damage can all impact the safe functioning of our public spaces and neighbourhoods.
This month, we share practical winter readiness tips to help businesses and residents prepare their properties and stay safe during the rainy season. We also highlight the importance of preventing illegal gutter connections, which can contribute to sewer overflows during periods of heavy rain.
The City of Cape Town has also launched a new Safety and Security App to log emergency incidents.
In addition, we share information from the City’s Investment Facilitation Branch (IFB), which continues to support economic growth and investment across the city by assisting businesses and facilitating development opportunities.
https://wynbergid.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/WhatsApp-Image-2026-05-04-at-11.42.14.jpeg517720Adminhttp://wynbergid.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Wynberg-ID-logo-2300px-300x274.pngAdmin2026-05-20 12:34:072026-05-20 12:49:23Winter Readiness, Infrastructure Awareness and Community Updates
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, the Wynberg Improvement District remains available for matters relating to public safety and urban maintenance, so please always report any relevant incidents.
https://wynbergid.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/FireSafety-Extinguisher2026.jpg14392555Adminhttp://wynbergid.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Wynberg-ID-logo-2300px-300x274.pngAdmin2026-02-28 13:32:302026-03-03 12:43:31Late Summer Readiness – Fire Safety, Water Use and Heat Awareness
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.
https://wynbergid.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/2_WID-Glaren-road-project.jpg9601280Adminhttp://wynbergid.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Wynberg-ID-logo-2300px-300x274.pngAdmin2025-06-09 15:28:572025-06-11 09:29:15Staying Safe and Warm This Winter: How We Prepare and Support Our Communities
Request for Proposals: CCTV Project – Installation Of Additional CCTV Cameras and Wifi Network Upgrades
Wynberg Improvement District (WID) invites prospective Service Providers to express their interest in the CCTV Project – Installation of Additional CCTV Cameras and WiFi Network upgrades:
Interested Service Providers may apply to this notice by emailing info@wynbergid.co.za no later than 21 March 2025.
Upon receipt of application, WID will provide a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA), which must be signed and returned via email before the formal Request for Proposal (RFP) documents will be released to the Service Provider in question.
For further inquiries, please contact 021 565 0901 during office hours.
Wynberg Improvement District reserves the right to accept or reject any expression of interest.
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.
And, we share a recent urban upliftment project for WID.
Our Wynberg team have been busy as always and we have an update from our managers to share regarding our new law enforcement officers in the area and other positive developments.
As we head into the colder months, we’re preparing you with some winter readiness tips to keep both yourself and your property safe. Additionally, we share some tips on keeping your wheelie bin safe so that you know it’ll always find its way back home.
Lastly, the proposal for the expansion of the Wynberg Improvement District is underway. Read more below.
On-the-ground Report from our CID Managers
Recently, we have seen the introduction of 16 Law Enforcement Officers being deployed into the Wynberg CBD.
These officers will be patrolling the CBD and policing a range of City By-Law infractions.
We thank the Mayor, Ald. Geordin Hill-Lewis, and Ald. JP Smith for their efforts in getting this deployment into Wynberg and trust that residents will give them a warm welcome.
We have seen the following results thus far:
Two arrests:
Undocumented Person (Contravention of Immigrants Act)
Possession of suspected stolen goods
5 different aspects were tackled under the following groupings:
The Traffic Department running a Vehicle Control Point (VCP) on both Brody Road and Main Road.
Foot patrols through the area in two groups.
Inspecting the current tented camps in the Wynberg area, led by Inspector Ras.
Roving patrols, led by Inspector Siyo, where Metro Police and Law Enforcement stopped and searched people.
Foot Patrol with Alderman JP Smith, to introduce him to the problems encountered in the Wynberg Improvement District area, including the difficulties faced with the subways and drug-related issues.
https://wynbergid.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG-20220428-WA0013.jpg12001600Adminhttp://wynbergid.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Wynberg-ID-logo-2300px-300x274.pngAdmin2024-05-21 09:31:142024-05-23 09:45:55New law enforcement officers for Wynberg, Winter preparation, Wheelie Bin Safety and Expansion of the Wynberg Improvement District
Cape Town fire season occurs from November through May. Here’s what you need to know to stay safe.
Cape Town is notoriously prone to wildfires that occur in natural vegetation when it is hot and dry in the summer months, which coincide with the windy season – creating ideal conditions for wildfires to occur and quickly get out of control. This season has already been earmarked to be the worst fire season in 8 years.
Cape Town fires are particularly common in the Table Mountain National Park due to the natural conditions in our fynbos ecosystem. But, homes and businesses are not exempt from danger, as any fire can spread quickly and far – up to tens of kilometres from the source. It is most important to keep your home, family and business safe, protecting life and property, as our urban living spaces share a boundary with the national parks in many parts of Cape Town and the Western Cape.
By 18 January 2024, there have been a total of 22 new fire incidents, with SANParks firefighting teams demonstrating swift response and effective containment. This influx has occurred particularly in the southern section of Table Mountain National Park, in Kalk Bay, Oceanview and Red Hill areas, as well as in the north of the park, in the Signal Hill and Pipe Track areas, posing significant risk to the communities living adjacent to the park, particularly with hot temperatures and strong wind conditions being experienced.
Fire Safety Precautions & Interventions
In Cape Town, there are various organisations in place to manage fire safety and interventions that should be taken, both to avoid fire and to control it when it happens.
https://wynbergid.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/cape-town-fires_creative-commons.jpeg7531400Adminhttp://wynbergid.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Wynberg-ID-logo-2300px-300x274.pngAdmin2024-01-16 16:26:002024-01-23 12:30:33Safety & fire during the hot, dry and windy Cape Town Summer months
As the chilly and wet winter season approaches, it’s time to prepare ourselves for the unique challenges and delights that it brings.
From the brisk air to the rain-soaked streets, Cape Town winter demands our attention and readiness. Here, we explore practical tips to help you navigate the winter months with ease. From maintaining your home and business’ functionality to prioritising safety on the roads, these essential suggestions will ensure you’re well-prepared to go with the flow this winter. Let’s dive in and discover how to make the most of the wet season while keeping everything running smoothly.
https://wynbergid.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/cape-town-storm-rain-Mark-Seath.jpeg640960Adminhttp://wynbergid.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Wynberg-ID-logo-2300px-300x274.pngAdmin2023-05-25 17:56:302023-05-25 17:56:31Are You Ready to Go with the Cape Town Winter Flow? Essential Tips for a Smooth Season + Loadshedding Updates from the City
As we approach the Easter weekend many families are looking forward to much needed time spent bonding over easter egg hunts and delicious lunches. However, as we all travel to our destinations, the days leading up to Easter weekend see many more motorists driving further in the first rains of our wet season.
As we set off in these conditions, we urge all motorists to take extreme caution and increase their awareness of the common causes of accidents and other road-users safety.
Here are our top tips for travelling safely this Easter weekend.
Check your vehicle.
Many accidents happen due to vehicles not reacting to a driver’s delayed response If you are travelling in heavy rain, use the brightest setting for your head and tail lights to improve visibility. Ensure that your wiper blades are in good condition as spray from other vehicles reduces visibility considerably so take extra care when overtaking or being overtaken. Braking is significantly impacted by the tread on your tyres so make sure you have sufficient tread. If you experience car trouble, turn on your hazard lights as bright as you can, set up additional warning signs if you have them in your car and pull off the road. Remain seated inside the car especially at night, as glare from your hazards may make it difficult for oncoming traffic to see you.
For more information on how to check your vehicle watch the Arrive Alice video below
Leave early and take breaks.
Due to the increasing amount of vehicles on the road drivers should leave earlier and be prepared for delays on the roads during poor weather conditions. This will help you avoid any abrupt acceleration, excessive speed and sudden steering movements which are the main culprits of accidents. Additionally, adjust your speed and following distance – five to seven seconds to break – to ensure that you can stop safely.
Drivers’ fatigue – caused by long-distance driving after a long day at work or a late night – is also a major contributor to fatal accidents. Emotional stress, lack of sleep, boredom and sun glare all cause fatigue so make sure to get a good seven hours of sleep before you travel. Additionally, for most of us, our sleep-wake cycle is set to be resting between 2 am and 6 am so try not to travel in these low light early hours of the morning.
If you are tired, stop and have a rest. Signs that you are too tired to drive include your eyes shutting, daydreaming, swerving, crankiness, restlessness and frequent yawning or eye rubbing.
Remain aware of other road users.
Last year, approximately 35% of the people who died on the roads over the Easter long weekend were pedestrians – making them the group most affected by accidents. Please remain aware of the sides of the road, particularly when travelling between towns as many people hitchhike to see their families. In areas of particular interest, there will also be signs alerting you to remain vigilant. Once you have spotted a pedestrian, slow down and give them lots of space until you have passed them fully as those who have consumed alcohol are likely to make dangerous decisions. If you can, plan to avoid driving in low light conditions as these combined with bad weather make other road users far more difficult to see.
According to the new amendments in the National Road Traffic Act, anyone caught with blood that has an alcohol content of more than 0.05% will be arrested, charged with Driving Under the Influence of Liquor and held in custody until they can post bail if bail is not denied. Depending on your record, and the circumstances surrounding your arrest, you face the loss of your driver’s licence, a criminal record, a minimum fine of R2 000, a two-year prison sentence, or all of the above.
To put 0.05% into perspective any more than 350ml of beer, or a single tot of Brandy puts you over the limit with these levels of alcohol remaining in your system for up to eight hours after consumption.
Be aware of the signs of other drivers who may be drunk around you, such as weaving between lanes, accelerating and braking erratically or displaying delayed responses. If you think another driver is intoxicated, put more distance between yourselves and them as quickly and safely as you can. Please also report it by contacting the City’s Law Enforcement, Traffic and Coordination Department by calling 021 480 7700 or the National Traffic Call Centre on 086 140 0800.
By making sure we have road safe vehicles, taking our time getting where we are going, respecting the pedestrians on our roads and never getting on the roads intoxicated we ensure that all of us can enjoy safer roads this Easter.
https://wynbergid.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/line-drive-asphalt-countryside-cloud-1.jpg10001500Adminhttp://wynbergid.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Wynberg-ID-logo-2300px-300x274.pngAdmin2022-04-13 08:05:472022-04-13 09:19:55Staying Egg-xtra safe on the roads this Easter
While many of us see the festive season as a time to kick back and relax, for the retail sector it is the busiest time of the year. With high volumes of high-value stock, seasonal staff and more capital flowing through our premises than any other time of the year staying safe is a definite priority.
Maintaining visibility throughout your store, being alert to suspicious activity and taking precautions during the opening and closing of your facility are excellent places to start. However, there is more you can do to keep yourself, your business and your employees safe this festive season.
10 Things To Keep Your Store Safe:
Suspicious vehicles – Be vigilant of what is around your business, especially at opening and closing times.
Suspicious persons – People who intend to shoplift often wear inappropriate clothing for the weather – such as heavy coats during hot days.
Be prepared for a crisis – Having a list of emergency numbers clearly visible means your employees know who to call in an emergent situation.
Be prepared for crime – Placing static panic buttons in strategic areas of your store, like in the cash office, storeroom, or under the till register can help employees call for help in armed robbery scenarios.
Shine a light – Keep the premises well-lit, both inside and out, especially at night so that patrols and security can clearly see potential intruders.
Travel together – Two or more staff members should leave the premises together at the end of shifts.
Stay visible – Use a clearly public entrance to the business and avoid any secluded entry points not covered by surveillance cameras.
Clean your cameras – Make sure all individuals can be clearly identified by the cameras as the video footage assists the SAPS with investigations.
Test your cameras – Inspect your CCTV cameras regularly, ensuring they are fully functioning without any blind spots.
Deposit cash ASAP – Do not keep a large amount of cash inside the store and change your pattern of banking to avoid being tracked and targeted.
Sustainable security is a balance between a safety-conscious employee culture, a properly equipped property and employers who prioritise creating a safe working experience. Letting your customers and staff know that you care about their safety this busy season will make your customers feel safe and your staff feel valued – both of which boost your confidence and your bottom line.
If you have any safety concerns to share, please contact one of the following numbers:
https://wynbergid.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/glowing-signboard-sale-store-1.jpg10011500Adminhttp://wynbergid.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Wynberg-ID-logo-2300px-300x274.pngAdmin2021-12-06 04:51:262021-12-06 04:56:24Top 10 Tips To Keep Your Store Safe This Festive Season
