SANDY BAY UPDATE: WHAT HAS HAPPENED SINCE THE PETITION BEGAN?

When I launched the Sandy Bay petition on 17 March 2026, my intention was straightforward: to protect Sandy Bay's longstanding use as a naturist beach by calling for proper management, clear rules and appropriate enforcement.

I was not trying to introduce something new to Sandy Bay. I wanted to find a constructive way for its established naturist use to continue, while ensuring that sexual misconduct, harassment and other inappropriate or unlawful behaviour are dealt with appropriately.

Since launching the petition, I have continued working towards that goal. Here is where things stand.

1. I approached the City of Cape Town and SANParks
In April, I contacted both the City of Cape Town and SANParks to ask for engagement on the future management of Sandy Bay.

My proposal was practical: clear signage, appropriate management, visible enforcement and rules that distinguish ordinary, non-sexual nudity from misconduct.

The City acknowledged my concerns and referred them through its Law Enforcement structures. Correspondence in April discussed additional patrols, engagement with SANParks and a meeting planned for 6 May 2026.

However, I was not invited to that meeting and have not received feedback confirming whether it took place, who attended or what decisions were made. A City contact-centre reference was also issued, but I have not received the substantive follow-up I was expecting.

I also emailed SANParks directly, but have not received a response to those emails.

2. I continued investigating Sandy Bay's history
One of the important questions is whether Sandy Bay's longstanding naturist use was officially recognised, informally tolerated or managed in some other way.

There is historical material worth examining.

A report published in The Argus on 28 June 1996, titled Naked joy over Sandy Bay, reported that the National Parks Board had announced that nudist sunbathers could continue using Sandy Bay when it became part of the new Table Mountain and Peninsula National Park.

The City of Cape Town's 2009 publication, Cape Town's Beaches: A Diversity of Coastal Treasures, also described Sandy Bay as Cape Town's “unofficial nudist beach”.

SANParks has since publicly stated that Sandy Bay was never formally designated as a naturist beach.

These statements raise an important distinction: the absence of formal designation does not erase the historical evidence of longstanding naturist use. At the same time, historical use alone does not establish a formal legal right. The underlying decisions, applicable laws and available options need to be properly examined.

3. The September signs raised further questions
In September, signs prohibiting nudity appeared at Sandy Bay, prompting renewed public debate.

This made it even more important to establish the legal and administrative basis for the restrictions.

Questions remain about who authorised the signs, what process was followed, what complaints or evidence informed the decision, and whether alternatives were considered that could protect visitors while allowing properly managed naturist use.

I believe there must be a clear distinction between people who are simply nude and people who engage in sexual misconduct, harassment or other prohibited behaviour. Those issues should not automatically be treated as one and the same.

4. I have now submitted my own representations to the CRL Rights Commission
The CRL Rights Commission has been engaging with a complaint lodged by Marthinus Christoffel Pretorius concerning naturism, public space and related issues. The Commission's correspondence has included responses from the City and SANParks and a proposal for facilitated mediation.

A mediation meeting is scheduled for 20 October 2026.

As I am unable to attend in person, I have now sent the Commission my own written representations in my capacity as the initiator of this petition, together with supporting documentation.

My submission sets out:

The purpose of the petition and my engagement with the authorities.
Historical evidence concerning Sandy Bay's naturist use.
The questions that remain unanswered about the September signs.
The relevance of the historical judgments in State v Annette Schultz (1981) and State v Hilary King (1982), alongside the current legal framework.
A proposal to explore a lawful, properly managed naturist area, with clear rules and appropriate enforcement.
I have also requested written acknowledgement of my submission, confirmation of how it will be handled, and advice on how I can obtain any shareable meeting outcomes or recommendations.

This is an important step, but it is not yet a resolution. I have not received confirmation that my submission will be considered at the meeting, and I will share further information when a response is received.

5. What am I asking for?
My position remains consistent.

I want the City of Cape Town and SANParks to engage constructively with naturists and other relevant stakeholders to explore a lawful way for Sandy Bay's naturist use to continue.

If a formally designated naturist section is the most practical way forward, I am willing to support that discussion. Any arrangement should have clear boundaries where necessary, appropriate signage, enforceable standards of conduct and a fair process for addressing genuine complaints.

This is not a request to ignore the law, conservation responsibilities or the concerns of other beach users. It is a request to consider the evidence, explain the decisions being made and work towards a practical solution.

Thank you for your support
Every person who has signed this petition has helped keep the issue visible. Thank you to everyone who has signed, shared the petition, provided historical material or contributed information.

The petition was started because I believe Sandy Bay's future deserves a fair and transparent process. That remains my goal.

I will continue asking for answers, accountability and meaningful engagement.

If you have historical photographs, newspaper articles, official correspondence or other reliable evidence concerning Sandy Bay's longstanding naturist use or its management, please get in touch. Documentary evidence could help establish the history more clearly.

Please continue sharing the petition so that the authorities understand how important this issue is to the people who care about Sandy Bay.

Sign and share: https://www.change.org/SandyBayZA