Dear Pringle Bayers,

We are writing to you in connection with the recent press release issued by the Municipal Manager of the Overstrand Municipality, titled  “Baboon Management & Mediation in Pringle Bay Up For Discussion”, announcing a meeting scheduled for Tuesday the 10th of September in the Kleinmond Town Hall at 14H00.

The PBRA Executive met last evening to discuss the proposed meeting, and has decided that no purpose will be served in attending it.  We would like to make our position clear: 

We will not be attending the meeting, for the following reasons:

1. At the well-attended meeting of ratepayers on the 9th of August here in Pringle Bay, the community unanimously supported a clear mandate to the PBRA executive, to interact with local and provincial government, requesting that the Adaptive Baboon Management Plan (ABMP) be continued beyond December 2024.
2. This process is underway, and you will have received our communication which details the Chairman’s written interactions with the authorities to date.
3. The press release makes reference to “various factions within the community” and “the possibility of appointing a mediator to address the disconnect between certain groups and the community”.
4. We do not believe the majority of ratepayers can be referred to as a faction.
5. Whilst everyone is entitled to their opinions, these are not expressions of expertise.  We all agree that we love where we live, but we are unqualified in the management of baboons in an urban setting.
6. The PBRA has been unwavering in its support of the OM’s ABMP, as it continues to carry out an ethical, neutral, principled and scientific approach to baboon management.  And our stance on this has not changed.
7. The South African Department of Justice & Constitutional Development defines mediation as ” a process by which a mediator assists the parties in actual or potential litigation to resolve the dispute between them by facilitating discussions between the parties, assisting them in identifying issues, clarifying priorities, exploring areas of compromise and generating options in an attempt to resolve the dispute.”  Whilst there may be certain ratepayers who dispute continuation of the ABMP by the OM, the majority are in agreement that it be continued, and there is therefore no conflict, or reason to formally appoint a mediator.   
8. We urge the municipality to focus on resolving the impasse between itself and the provincial government about their constitutional responsibility regarding the management of baboons.  If there is a dispute on this matter, it is between the two spheres of government, who perhaps require mediation.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you, as ratepayers for the ongoing support, and extend our gratitude to the officials from the OM, CapeNature and the monitors, who are employed daily in our village to manage the baboons, as prescribed by the plan.

We will stay in touch with continuous updates, and if you need to chat, we welcome the opportunity to catch up with you.

Best wishes

Pringle Bay Ratepayers’ Association