Anticipation builds for the completion of Strand seawall

The construction of the Strand seawall, initiated by the City of Cape Town more than five months ago, is making progress.

The City has revealed that more than 30 pre-cast concrete units forming the wall have been installed.

Bolander previously reported on the planning and start date of phase 2 of the Strand seawall upgrade and refurbishment project, with construction work kicking off at the Strand Pavilion building ("Second phase to upgrade seawall starting soon”, November 22, 2024).

The first part of the seawall was completed in 2017.

Bolander reported on how construction is divided up into five segments, with each part estimated to take five months to complete (“Traffic flow to be affected by construction of seawall”, February 4, 2025)

The City’s deputy mayor and mayoral committee member for spatial planning and environment,  Eddie Andrews said: “We are looking forward to opening this new portion of the promenade along Strand beach. Once finished, it will look like the already completed seawall and promenade area, which has become a vibrant attraction for all. While work on site is going well, the project will still take a number of months as we are working towards the completion date in November 2026.”

He said there has been a revision of traffic management arrangements to better the flow of traffic and to reduce the effect of construction work on the public accessing the area.

“We thank residents and visitors for their patience with the disruptions and temporary closure of areas. We appreciate the support and positive feedback, which further motivates our project teams,” he said.

Those working at businesses along the Beachfront expressed an overall excitement and positive anticipation about the results of the completion of the project.

Sharon Juta, manager of Strand Liquor City, opposite the first section of construction, said the upgrade is a good thing for the area. In the past, she said they had problems with sand blowing across the road and settling in front of the shop's entrance.

“At the moment with the construction and roads closed, people are a bit confused they don’t know where to drive, but I think in the long run, when it’s completed it will be good for business, so this bit of inconvenience won’t last long, and I think in the future it will benefit us all.”

She acknowledged the City for being so accommodating in allowing their delivery trucks access to the store amid the current road closures.

However, others in the vicinity of the first part of the construction have raised concerns about the speed of the construction process.

A business owner, who wished to remain anonymous, felt the work was taking too long and expressed concern about construction taking too long.

“They must just hurry up and speed up the process,” he said.

Clive Snell, a manager of a shop along Beach Road, said: “I think the longer walkway will be good for businesses, as it will bring more feet to our shops, in the past this area opposite used to be the fishing hole, so we really did not get that many people pass by here.”

Mr Snell also expressed concern about how long the process will last, and the impact thereof on business. One thing he is especially worried about is the impact of the construction work on the December holiday season.

“How are things going to look in December? How far along will the process be then if this is the first part of it? When will this stage be done," he asked.

When told that the work is expected to be completed by November next year, but that it is divided into different phases according to the City, Mr Snell said they would feel more at ease if they knew what each phase involved and the timeline for its completion.

The City's plans for the second phase of the seawall project along Beach Road include the lengthening of the current seawall, a longer paved walkway/promenade, steps and ramps to give visitors access to the beach, more seating areas provided by raised planters, better lighting, handrails, and paved sidewalks.

The longer walkway is something a regular beach walker and resident of Strand, Edward Faber, is excited about.

Mr Faber of Twin Palms, Strand, said he usually follows the same walk route along Beach Road, but the new, longer walkway will be something new to explore and extend his current walk.

“I look forward to it, seeing that it will be something new that we are not used to,” he said.

Another Strand resident, Nico Pienaar, said: “It’s good that they are building it, but I just don’t like the fact that it’s taking a while for them to build. I would like to see a faster process.”

He, however, admitted the longer wall will make a positive difference to the area and bring more relief to residents and businesses located opposite the new wall.

“It will be much better to keep the sand and the water out of the road.”

Strand informal trader, Matar Nbayi, who has been trading at the beachfront since 2003, said the upgrade will make the area look good.

His hope is for the new, improved look to bring more business.

“Business has been ok, you know we are surviving, so anything that can make us get more customers here at our stands is a good development.”