An anonymous Cape Town family approached Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis in 2025, offering to fund the initial phase of the St James coastal walkway extension. The proposed extension aims to improve public access to the coastline. Mayor Hill-Lewis expressed gratitude for the donation, stating, "The St James coastal walkway is one of Cape Town's most loved public spaces. Residents and visitors from all over use it throughout the year." He added, "Extending the walkway beyond St James will improve public access to this beautiful part of our coastline." The Mayor emphasized that this commitment provides an opportunity to establish a long-term vision for the coastal route, with the City planning to collaborate with all relevant stakeholders as the project moves forward.
Project Details and Scope
The proposed extension of the St James coastal walkway will stretch from Muizenberg towards Clovelly Corner. This project has been organized into four distinct sections to facilitate development. Section 1a is planned to run from Danger Beach to Dalebrook Pool. Following this, Section 1b will connect Dalebrook Pool to the Kalk Bay Tidal Pool. The third defined segment, Section 2a, is slated to extend from the Kalk Bay Tidal Pool to the Kalk Bay Point Tidal Pool. The final segment, Section 3, will cover the distance from Woolley's Pool to Clovelly Beach, completing the planned expansion towards Clovelly Corner.
City's Planning and Progress
The City of Cape Town has appointed a team of professional coastal engineers. This team is tasked with preparing a high-level concept design for the St James walkway extension and developing preliminary cost estimates for the project. In parallel, the City has initiated discussions with the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA). These conversations are focused on coordinating efforts for the walkway extension, particularly concerning sections that may run parallel to or interact with existing rail infrastructure. The engagement with PRASA is a key step in ensuring the feasibility and integration of the planned coastal route.
Donor's Generosity and Vision
The anonymous family's donation targets an area recognized for its public appeal. Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis stated, "The St James coastal walkway is one of Cape Town's most loved public spaces. Residents and visitors from all over use it throughout the year." He emphasized that the extension would further enhance public access to this coastal area. The Mayor also noted that the funding provides an opportunity to establish a long-term vision for the coastal route, with the City planning to engage all relevant stakeholders in future project phases.
Next Steps and Timeline
The City of Cape Town’s long-term vision involves extending the coastal walkway from Surfer's Corner in Muizenberg, through St James, to Clovelly Corner. Eddie Andrews, the City's Mayco Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, indicated that the anonymous donor family will decide which phase to fund based on various processes. "The donor family will make a final decision on which phase to fund based on what emerges from the Environmental Impact Assessment process, the public engagement process, and so forth," Andrews stated. He added, "This is only the start of the process and, as such, it is impossible to give an anticipated timeline for the construction as the EIA and public participation processes still need to take place. We will announce the commencement of these processes once ready."
