The Republic of Hout Bay turns 21 this year and a group of businessmen calling themselves the Hout Bay Mob (which stands for Marketing Our Business) want to enliven the local business sector for the benefit of residents as well as visitors.

According to Mr André Jacobs, MOB Chairman, the very own “consul” of “the republic”, it is very important for any area to create an environment within which the business sector can grow.

“People should enjoy coming here. Look at what the City Improvement District (CID) managed to do in the CBD of Cape Town by means of active participation of businesses. We offer a unique experience in Hout Bay and want to see to it that our CBD is conducive to business,” says Jacobs, a former manager of the Good Hope and South Peninsula sub-councils of the Cape Town Municipality.

The Hout Bay Mob emphasises that Capetonians do not have to spend a lot of money on airline tickets and petrol to visit a different place – Hout Bay.

Mr Rudolf Rieger, ‘n founding member of the Republic of Hout Bay and Deputy Chairman of the Hout Bay Mob, says they want to create a hub for tourism where tour busses would want to stop instead of merely passing though on the way to Cape Point.

“Many visitors are impressed by the unique kaleidoscope of the diversity offered by the Hout Bay valley, situated just on the other side of the rest of the Peninsula. We even have residents from as far away as Sweden and Alaska,” says Jacobs.

The Hout Bay Mob want to ensure that there are a variety of events presented by the republic throughout the year. These include its very own Table of Unity on Freedom Day, an international day of prayer for all religions to be held on the beach on May 11, an Afrikaans music festival in October and a jazz festival in November. The 21st birthday celebrations will take place on the weekend of 23 to 25 May and will include a gala at the well-known Suikerbossie restaurant as well as a street festival and street parade.

Rieger says Hout Bay has the potential to create its very own CID, since it already has a good network of neighbourhood watches and volunteers. Members of the Mob are looking into deploying about 80 security guards in the area.

“The concept of a republic allows residents and businesses to take ownership of the wellbeing of the area. One should not merely wait for the authorities to do something, but rather take active steps to create a safe environment and allow people to enjoy the area,” says Rieger.