Kommetjie: A Woven Tapestry of People

During the Kommetjie Festival Last Year, Social Fabric, a group under the Kommetjie Residents and Ratepayers Association (KRRA) set up an activity on the Kom where residents and neighbours could come and contribute to a ‘weaving’ process by contributing their thoughts about Kommetjie and how we build a stronger, more connected place.

Social Fabric is a metaphor for the quality of interaction among community members. If you consider all the individual members as threads, the "social fabric" is made by having those members interact, thus weaving the threads together. This group in Kommetjie aims to do this through different interventions, including the feedback weaving chain.

The station was a bustle of chatter and thinking, and our chain received over 80 responses. People were asked to respond to questions by writing their feedback and linking it to the paper chain, symbolising the weaving process. Connecting with people, allowing residents and neighbours to have a voice, and listening to the needs is an important part of the work of weaving the community we want. Below is a summary and some key takeaways from our weave:

1. What people love about Kommetjie:

• Nature & Beauty: The stunning Milkwood trees, the peaceful beach, the fresh air, and the natural connection with the ocean and mountains.

• Community: The welcoming, friendly people and the sense of safety, simplicity, and healing. It's a place of peace and tranquility.

• Lifestyle: A laid-back vibe, a close-knit feel, and a slower pace of life, where walking and connecting with nature.

2. What could make Kommetjie better:

Space & Infrastructure:

• Creative spaces for the community.

• Less overdevelopment, especially beachfront properties, and no more street lights

• Improved transport and walkable areas.

Community Diversity:

• More inclusive attitudes and anti-racist sentiment, ensuring everyone feels welcome

• More cultural and population diversity

• Tolerance of diverse opinions

Affordable housing options.

Conservation:

• More efforts to clean the beaches and protect local wildlife (e.g., seaweed cleaning, baboon control).

  
  

3. How to strengthen the Social Fabric more:

Community Connection:

• Events like street braais, local markets, and social gatherings that encourage interaction.

• Places for children to socialize and learn from each other.

  
  

Inclusion:

• More involvement from all residents, including newcomers and long-time residents.

• Spaces that encourage diverse and inclusive connections (e.g., cafés, local events).

• More support for others - e.g., a hardship fund

  
  

Engagement:

Greater communication through town meetings, social media, and collaborative projects.

Key Takeaways for Action

• Create Inclusive Spaces: Develop more creative spaces for community activities and events, making sure these spaces are welcoming to all.

• Celebrate Diversity: Encourage open dialogue and community gatherings that bring together all residents, ensuring no one feels excluded.

• Protect What We Love: Keep Kommetjie’s natural beauty intact through local conservation efforts, responsible development, and environmental practices.

• Build on Connection: Continue fostering a sense of community through social events, street braais, markets, and engaging newcomers in meaningful ways.

Kommetjie residents and neighbours cherish our beautiful environment and community feel, but there is a yearning for more inclusivity, access, and connection.

Social Fabric and other community groups and champions are driving these important agendas, and we welcome you to do the same. Social Fabric will be attending and presenting this feedback at the KRRA AGM on 4th June 2025.

If you would like to connect with Social Fabric, you can reach us at tschalmers11@gmail.com or +27 72 805 9983. A team from Social Fabric will also be at the Komrades Run on Saturday, 7th June, at the surf shop, if you would like to weave or chat there.