Helping Ourselves
Various initiatives in Obs promote sustainability, are supportive of the vulnerable, promote community development. They are voluntary or subsidised – and are always looking for participation and support!
If you would like to add a local initiative, please email us at [email protected]
Obs pets
Obs is increasingly a place of dog walkers and meandering cats – among others!
There are two animal-focussed WhatsApp groups:
- Obs pet emergencies: https://chat.whatsapp.com/1HjxeXtFPzdJ0o3olbnM4c
- Obs pet lovers chat group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/E1mxwSVIqeoJbh10Bt0T6X
The Obscene Marketplace
And charity shop – The Obscene Marketplace at 177 Lower Main Rd – raises money to support self-funded individuals and organisations who rescue and care for animals in need (in and beyond Obs).
For more information, contact Hazel Walton, founder of Animals Have Rights 2, at The Obscene Marketplace.
‘We were founded by a common goal to help wounded, mistreated, and uncared for animals.’ – Animals Have Rights 2.
Communal meals every Wednesday
Obs Pasta Kitchen serves a delicious sit-down meal every Wednesday from 17h00. Served at St Michael and All Angel’s Church, Bedford Street.
This initiative is open to all, especially the vulnerable living on the streets of Observatory.
You can support these communal meals by:
- donating macaroni pasta at Ferdinandos Pizza in Obs (205 Lower Main Rd.);
- making a financial donation:
Account holder: Obs Pasta Kitchen
Bank: First National Bank, Branch Code: 250655
Account Number: 63029684247
Reference: Obspasta + your name
For more information contact Dani Saporetti 076 174 9353.
Cleaning the riverside
On the first Saturday of every month there is trash-bash – a communal clean-up – along the Liesbeek River.
Meet at the banner on the corner of Station Rd/Liesbeek Parkway at 09h00 or drop in any time for an hour or two to help clean. It’s a large space, so if you don’t see us right away; rest assured, we’re somewhere along the banks getting dirty!
Trash bags are provided but bring masks, gloves (and boots that are up to the challenge!) We will leave some bags on the banner for you to use. Please tie them up and leave them on the side of the road for collection.
For more details contact Kari: [email protected] or 078 008 0464
OBS CAN FEED YOU - Saturday and Sunday breakfast and lunch packs on the Village Green
Cooking as a community, for the community
ObsCAN Feed You draws on resources within Observatory to make food available to people who need it. Every Saturday and Sunday a team of people make a warm breakfast, and provide a packed lunch. These are distributed at the Village Green.
The vision of OCFY is to use funding models that are local and community-based. For example, a collaboration with local fruit and vegetable traffickers, Africa 70 delivers a different hot meal to paying customers on Sunday evenings – the menu is a culinary tour of the cuisine from Africa and her diaspora, from Ghana (red-red) to Cuba (moros y cristianos) to DR Congo (saka saka) – cross subsiding costs of the same meal for our street-based neighbours.
A number of residents have taken up the challenge to make 8 litres of food as once-off contributions.
For more information, http://www.obscanfeedyou.com/ or [email protected] or [email protected]
OBSID social development programme
The Observatory Improvement District (OBSID) provides top-up services to the City of Cape Town, focussed on urban management, public safety and social development.
Its social development programme offers a range of services to vulnerable community members, including those who live in the public spaces. Individuals can get assistance with obtaining ID documents, opening bank accounts, applying for government grants, accessing shelters, accessing harm reduction programmes, contacting their families, accessing primary health and rehabilitation services and enrolling in our work-based rehabilitation and supportive housing programmes if they meet the programme criteria.
OBSID works with a variety of NPOs and other partners to ensure that each person is given support, regardless of their current life situation.
Contact Vuyo Mbala at OBSID on 021 448 7090 or [email protected].
Youthful energy into soccer expertise
This youth development initiative – the Obz United Football Academy – is based on the field on Kotzee Rd, on the edge of the N2. The initiative of Coach AJ Dino, he and Sibondha Wood use their extensive expertise from playing and coaching soccer in other parts of Africa to motivate and train around a hundred local boys between the ages of 10 and 16. Their aim is to develop players for the various leagues and club teams alongside promoting teamwork, discipline and hard work as well as a code of good sportsmanship.
Completely unfunded, the Academy needs a range of things – particularly soccer boots as those who cannot afford them, cannot play.
They practice every weekday from 4pm and arrange matches wherever possible. All are welcome to watch or play (if you are under 16!)
Matches will be posted on this website.
Contact Coach AJ at 073 387 6420 or [email protected]
Local Social Services
for Observatory Residents
HOUSING / SHELTERS
Haven Network of Night Shelters
Where:
Throughout CT and surrounds.
Contact:
021-425 4700
[email protected]
Loaves and Fishes
Second phase shelter.
Where:
1 Chatham Road, Observatory.
Contact:
[email protected]
Social worker: 021-448 5900
MEAL SERVICES
Beth Uriel
Weekly meals.
Where:
Beth Uriel, 289 Victoria Road, Salt River
When:
Daily dinner: 7pm (from gates of Beth Uriel)
Dinner Thursday: 2pm on the Village Green
Contact:
ObsCAN Feed You
ObsCAN Feed You is a community kitchen collective that mobilises resources within the neighbourhood to make good nutritious food available to those who need it most.
Where:
Village Green
When:
Saturday and Sunday breakfasts and packed lunches
Contact:
[email protected] or 072 933 1659
Obs Pasta Kitchen
Weekly community meal.
Where:
Village Green
When:
Wednesdays: 5pm
Contact:
Dani Saporetti: WhatsApp 076 174 9353 [email protected]
Youth Solutions Hall, Shelley Street
Community sit down, indoor breakfast and lunch.
Where:
Youth Solutions Hall, Shelley Street
When:
Monday-Friday: breakfast 9am
Monday-Friday: lunch 12 noon (Thursdays at 3pm)
Contact:
JP: 081 534 4066; Sheradia 073 345 8531
SOCIAL SERVICES AND ADVOCACY
Cape Mental Health
To provide
- vulnerable individuals and groups with mental health programmes and services.
- support and assistance and the provision of statutory services for clients (in terms of the Mental Health Care Act of 2002).
- clients with services that enhance positive lifestyles, self-reliance and optimal functioning within the community.
Where:
22 Ivy St, Observatory
When:
Mondays to Fridays 8:30am – 4:30pm
Contact:
021-447 9040
FAMSA
- Counselling is offered by trained relationship professionals – in relation to trauma, domestic violence, relationships, bereavement and divorce.
- The Men Stopping Violence Group provides perpetrators with a therapeutic space which promotes non-violent behaviours.
- Provides integrated HCT/adherence/PMTCT/TB screening/ STI and follow-up services to clients. Goal of all people being tested for HIV and TB every year.
- Offers the most destitute clients on ART interim food relief while they access grant assistance.
Where:
9 Bowden Rd, Observatory
Contact:
021-447 7951
Gender Dynamix (GDX)
- The first registered trans and gender diverse-led organisation in Africa.
- Focuses on advancing, promoting and securing the human rights of trans and gender-diverse persons both within South Africa and Southern Africa.
- Serves trans and gender-diverse individuals and communities and their significant others, families, friends and allies and provides South African-based resources and support.
- Through education, awareness raising and advocacy, GDX works towards a society where everyone is free to identify and express their own gender.
- Uses a range of advocacy strategies to raise awareness around structural human rights violations experienced by transgender and gender diverse persons as a result of a lack of access to basic human rights.
Where:
10 Anson Street, Observatory.
Contact:
021-447 4797
[email protected]
Triangle Project
Healthcare and psycho-social support for LGBTQ+ people.
Where:
2, 4 Seymour Street, Observatory
Contact:
021 712 6699 Helpline
021 422 0255 General
Website: triangle.org.za
OBSID
- Individual case management
- Psycho-social support and assistance, referrals
- Clothing donations
- Sponsorship (travel stipends, shelter fees),
- Harm reduction strategies (Opioid Substitution Therapy programmes support, safe needle exchange)
Where:
OBSID offices, Unit 13A St Michael’s Office Park,
St Michael’s Road, Observatory
Contact:
Vuyo Mbala : 021-448 7090
[email protected]
Obs Pasta Kitchen Working on Wellness Programme
Sharing lifeskills and healthy ways of dealing with stress. Our morning programme, Working On Wellness, is a life-changer for those ready to take the next steps.
Where and when:
Streetscapes Vredehoek Garden: Mondays 9:30-11a.m.
Shelley St Hall, Salt River: Wednesdays 9:30-11a.m.
Also:
- Health & sanitary drives.
- Winter blanket drives.
- Fundraising for community efforts -Individual fundraising for rehabilitation and work opportunities.
Contact:
Dani Saporetti: WhatsApp 076 174 9353 [email protected]
Rape Crisis
Provides
- direct services to survivors of rape and sexual violence
- popular education and awareness raising (including community workshops and mobilisation)
- legal advocacy
Where:
23 Trill Road, Observatory
Contact:
Obs office: 021 447 1467
English: 021 447 9762
IsiXhosa: 021 361 9085
Afrikaans: 021 633 9229
Whatsapp Support Line: 083 222 5164
SWEAT
- Provides sex workers with health and rights services while advocating for sex work to be decriminalized in South Africa.
- Programme areas are: Sex Worker Empowerment and Enabling Environment (SWEEEP), Advocacy and Law Reform; building Sisonke, a movement of sex workers.
Where:
19 Anson Street, Observatory.
Contact:
021-448 7875 / 0800 60 60 60
[email protected]
TBHIV Care
Outreach teams:
- safe needle exchange
- free TB / HIV testing
- referrals and linkage officer services.
Where:
7th Floor, 11 Adderley Street, Cape Town
Contact:
021-425 0050
[email protected]
Triangle Project
Offer individual and couples counselling by experienced and skilled clinical psychologists and clinical social workers
run a non-judgemental medical clinic offering:
- General health check-up
- HIV and TB and STI testing and services
- Non-prescriptions medicines dispensing
- Referral for treatment and to other health services including alcohol and drug use and abortion and family planning.
Where:
19 Anson St, Observatory
When:
Monday–Friday, 9:00am–4:30pm.
Contact:
For appointment: 021-422 0255; [email protected]
Helpline: 021-712 6699
WORK-BASED PROGRAMMES
OBSID
Work-based rehabilitation programme with psycho-social support, individual case management and daily stipends for participation.
Where:
OBSID offices, Unit 13A St Michael’s Office Park,
St Michael’s Road, Observatory
Contact:
Vuyo Mbala : 021-448 7090
[email protected]
HEALTHCARE
Cape Town Drug Counselling Centre
Treatment and training related to addiction.
Where:
1 Roman Road, Observatory
When:
Mondays to Fridays
Contact:
021-447 8026
[email protected]
District Six Community Day Centre
Where:
31 Primrose Street, Zonnebloem, Cape Town
When:
Mondays to Fridays
Groote Schuur Hospital: emergency
Where:
Main Road, Observatory
When:
After hours and weekends
Jubilee Health Centre
Where:
21 Nelson Road, Observatory
When:
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays – by appointment only.
R20-00 patient fee to be paid.
Contact:
021-447 3630 / 065 527 7961 to make an appointment.
OBSID
- Accompanying clients to health services
- Fulfilling linkage officer duties
- Referral to GP who works with social development programmes.
Where:
OBSID offices, Unit 13A St Michael’s Office Park,
St Michael’s Road, Observatory
Contact:
Vuyo Mbala: 021-448 7090
[email protected]
HEALTH AND SAFETY
OBSID
- Public toilet installation, maintenance and cleaning (Station Road, Observatory).
- Safe needle exchange site for disposal of used needles (in partnership with TB / HIV Care).
- Daily cleaning of large encampment areas (Village Green, Station Road Bridge).
- Weekly cleaning of smaller encampment areas.
Where:
OBSID offices, Unit 13A St Michael’s Office Park,
St Michael’s Road, Observatory
Contact:
021-448 7090 or [email protected]