The Cape Peninsula Baboon Management Joint Task Team (CPBMJTT) consisting of representatives from SANParks, CapeNature, and the City of Cape Town, is pleased to announce that the Cape Peninsula Baboon Advisory Group was formally established at an inaugural meeting earlier this week. Read more below:
The members of the CPBAG were nominated by their respective communities, ratepayers’ associations, stakeholders, academic and research institutions, animal welfare institutions, and organisations who have a direct interest in baboon management on the Cape Peninsula. The nomination process was concluded by the end of 2024 and the inaugural meeting took place in Tokai on Wednesday, 12 February 2025, with members adopting the Terms of Reference.
The Cape Peninsula Baboon Strategic Management Plan (CPBSMP) provides the framework for the sustainable management of the Cape Peninsula’s Chacma baboons, and is to be implemented and elaborated upon with area-based solutions developed jointly with affected communities.
The Baboon Advisory Group is established as part of the CPBSMP.
The members of the CPBAG are as follows:
· Luana Pasanisi, representing Green Group Simon’s Town NPC
· Francesca de Gasparis, representing Southern African Faith Communities’ Environmental Institute (SAFCEI)
· Bev Stevens, representing Sunnydale Ratepayers’ Association
· Lynda Silk, representing Cape Peninsula Civil Conservation NPO
· Sandie MacDonald, representing Cape Peninsula Civil Conservation NPO
· Michelle du Toit, representing Kirstenhof and Environs Residents’ Association
· Pat Lockwood, representing Constantia Hills Residents’ Association
· Rhian Meats, Kirstenhof and Environs Residents’ Association
· Pascal Ellinas, representing Tokai Residents’ Association
· Steve White, representing Kommetjie Residents and Ratepayers’ Association
· Gordon Chunnett, representing Constantia Ratepayers and Residents’ Association
· Garth Kew, representing Simon’s Town Civic Association (Da Gama troop)
· Chris Hart, representing Simon’s Town Civic Association (Smitswinkel and Seaforth troop)
· Tom Cohen, representing Simon’s Town Civic Association (Waterfall troop)
· Jon Friedman, representing Cape of Good Hope SPCA
· Esme Beamish, representing iCWILD (UCT)
· Nicoli Nattrass, representing iCWILD (UCT)
The CPBAG is to advise and support the Cape Peninsula Baboon Management Joint Task Team on achieving the intended outcomes as stipulated in the CPBSMP; support its implementation on a local area level; ensure ongoing and constructive engagement between the constituencies and the CPBMJTT; and assist in developing strategic partnerships with stakeholders.
The CPBAG will play a crucial role in baboon management on the Cape Peninsula, in particular in ensuring collaboration between stakeholders.
The CPBMJTT is looking forward to working together with the CPBAG in finding constructive solutions and fostering good relations in the interest of communities and the well-being of the Chacma baboon population.
