If you frequent the False Bay coast, specifically Kalk Bay and Nine Miles, you would’ve noticed Faizel and his son Abdurahman at some point or another. Faizel and Abdurahman have started a very interesting project and the idea with this article is not only to share that story with you but to also assist them in reaching their goal.
This is the part where I had it in mind to tell you a little about father and son only I’m having a hard time coming up with the right words. I guess it’s got something to do with the fact that between Swell Guys (not that long ago) and high school (VERY LONG AGO) I hadn’t written more than 30 words in one go.
So yes, I do seem to be playing with a serious handicap but there’s definitely more to it than that. Let me explain.
Faizel is not a small guy but is by no means larger than life. He’s as humble as he is confident and sure about himself. He’s not loud but he is proud. You don’t really notice him till you’re having a conversation and then he has your entire attention. Know what I mean? This brings me to what they’re up to.
When Faizel first mentioned it I was a little confused and when he said he was doing it at home I was completely lost for words. Faizel and Abdurahman are building an artificial reef in their back yard!!!
Well the framework anyhow. When it’s completed they plan on filling it with rocks and dropping it out in the ocean. Sounds a little off centre but let me explain, or rather let Faizel explain since he was kind enough to write his own story.
My name is Faizel Farat, I’m 43 years of age and this is my story:
My passion for surfing started in 1980 at the tender age of 17. Twenty six years later I am proud to acknowledge that I am still a very active and avid participant in the sport.
Between 1980 and 1995 we were branded ‘coloured’ surfers and weren’t allowed to surf in the so called ‘whites only’ beaches i.e. Noordhoek, Long Beach, etc (this being almost the whole of Cape Town).
There was constant conflict between us and the ‘white surfers’ and disobeying them resulted in always being in trouble with the police. We were then confined to the South Coast beaches i.e. Strandfontein up to Macassar beach.
As luck might have it these beaches were within walking distance from Mitchell’s Plain, Strandfontein and Khayelitsha (predominantly coloured areas) and it was at these beaches that our burning desire for surfing ignited.
The spark turned into a flame…
As time passed these beaches became overcrowded and the growing need for the ‘perfect’ wave was eminent. Lady luck was on our side again. All beaches were declared ‘multi-racial’, now we could experience what was once just a dream.
From there on everything started looking up for us.
With 26 years of surfing experience behind me I now find it imperative to put something back into the community, by means of building an artificial surfing reef.
One of the biggest problems facing the young in our community is transport. “If you can’t take Mohammed to the mountain, then you can take the mountain to Mohammed”.
This will be the perfect opportunity for these eager young surfers to learn this fast, ever-growing sport on good quality waves right on their doorstep.
We are so blessed with endless stretches of beach between Muizenberg and Macassar (outside the protected area). Research shows that nothing can grow on these sand bottom beaches, it’s like a dessert covered by sea water.
Shifting sand banks cause the waves to close out but the positive side is that we have all the right characteristics such as beach slope, spilling and plunging waves for artificial reefs.
In the Caribbean and Japan for instance, artificial reefs were built to enhance the fishing industry and in Australia and New Zealand, for surfing purposes. Why not combine these two factors so that everyone can benefit?
I’ve done extensive research complete with a 1:10 scale model and technical data. Just imagine having the very first artificial reef for South Africa here in Cape Town!!!
I am so passionate about my quest that I’m willing to finance the first phase. With more corporate sponsors I know we can succeed. By this, endless job opportunities will be created, our fishing industry will benefit and surfers will be spread over more quality surf breaks, natural and artificial - yet another plus for this beautiful country of ours.
In closing I would like to mention say the sea has given me so much pleasure and enjoyment. I will consider it an absolute honour and privilege to give something back in return, something people will be able to enjoy long after I’ve gone from this earth…
There are no negatives, only positives. I think what he (Faizel) needs to do, is get as many signatures as possible linked to a website of sorts. Try get as many as one can. Use all kinds of media, including Zigzag. Then go to the council with the plans and the signatures as well as the motivation. They (council) are more likely to listen to a few thousand rather than a few hundred. I'm in!
Good Luck
Also, artificial reefs tend to fail, they get ripped apart by stormy oceans and end up causing more damage then good, ie. parts of the reef washing up on and contaminating the shore, crashing into other reefs etc. We all know the power of the ocean.
Lastly, the area you mention is known for sharks, and creating a big reef will draw in lots of fish, followed by seals, followed by you know who. You might end up making the area to dangerous to go into the water at all.
Even with good research in the design phase, there is still the possibility that the reef may not perform the original function set out. In addition, there is a danger that the reef could negatively affect the surf in the area, or worse the environment. With global climate change and the increasing frequency and intensity of storms associated with it, the reefs could be broken up and the frame work could end up washing up and polluting beaches nearby. It is also useful to keep in mind that the reef is an ARTIFICIAL structure - this means it's not naturally found in the environment and it's implementation is likely to change the structure and function of surrounding biological communities. It is therefore important to get sound environmental and engineering advice before installing something like this. That's why EIA's were written into our constitution.
Nevertheless there are studies that indicate artificial reefs can enhance biological communities and can have a number of advantages for beach and surf users (humans).
The best advice I can give to Faizel is to get good advice! There is some information on the St Francis Bay trust website regarding artificial reefs, although this may be biased as a lot of it comes from the companies who produce the reefs. Advice could also be obtained from Marine sectors of nearby universities such as UCT or UWC (zoology/botany/oceanography/environmental science departments). These institutions often have connections for getting EIA's done and can probably advise you on how to get one done thoroughly and economically.
Good luck!
Clark, S. & Edwards, A.J. 1999. An evaluation of artificial reef structures as tools for marine habitat rehabilitation in the Maldives. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 9: 5-21
Hope that helps.