Walking along the Sea Point Promenade can be thirsty work, whether you’re a human or a dog. There are plenty watering options for the humans, but not so many for their furry friends.
Following the popularity of the first drinking fountain for dogs near the Mouille Point lighthouse, a British couple has generously donated a further two dog drinking fountains along the Sea Point Promenade – a space which is used by a large number of Capetonians.
They both feature taps for humans to drink from and a bowl below for dogs to drink from. One of them is situated opposite the SABC building next to Rocklands Beach and the other on the lawns opposite Oliver Road.
The City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith, officially accepted the donation from Sea Point residents Peter and Janina Cramb on Monday, 16 April 2012. They have spent summer in Cape Town for the last 10 years, returning to the UK for the northern hemisphere summer.
“They wanted to do something to say thank you to the people of Sea Point and Cape Town,” he said. “This is a great example of community spirit.”
During the handover, a local dog named Hero came up and drank from the fountain, proving its usefulness.
Smith added that the first dog drinking fountain, which was initiated while he was the local ward councillor, became extremely popular and was overused, suffering wear and tear, so the new ones will help alleviate the pressure on it.
“If you look at cities around the world like Rio, along their seafront they have a large number of drinking fountains like this for their human and animal populations,” he said.
Smith pointed out that improvements such as this along the Atlantic Seaboard are often made with the assistance of local residents, and could falsely give the impression that the City of Cape Town provides better for this area than others.
“Residents are taking ownership of their public spaces, and make substantial donations towards items like these fountains, as well as things like cleaning.”
He pointed out that this is another example of the role played by foreigners living in South Africa in adding substantial benefit to upgrading parts of the Atlantic Seaboard. “They take great pride in our neighbourhood.”
City Parks implemented, constructed and installed the drinking fountains, which cost R5 000 each. They are inscribed with a message from the Crambs, reading: “To the people of Sea Point; From two grateful swallows; Thank you for ten wonderful years. Peter and Janina, 2012.”
