For more than a decade, Richard Beesley arrived at work at the crack of dawn to inspect the Cape Town CBD. As head of the Cape Town Central City Improvement District’s (CCID) Urban Management department, he was tasked to lead the teams that help keep the city centre clean and attractive. Now, as he retires, he reflects on the highs and challenges.
Richard Beesley knows the ins and outs of the Cape Town CBD like the back of his hand. For 14 years, after giving up a 20-year career in the SA Police Force, it was his beat.
The manager of the CCID’s Urban Management department worked closely with the operational teams that help to clean and maintain the CBD, from the ace graffiti removal squad that counteracts the work of tenacious graffiti taggers to the hotspot team that ensures the CBD is hygienic to the garden and road maintenance teams. CCID Urban Management provides top-up services in the city centre to those provided by the City of Cape Town.
A characterful man with a wicked sense of humour and the penchant for telling a good (rather long) story, his role required him to inspect the Central City daily, observing changes within the urban environment, and communicating with the City of Cape Town, and with retailers and property owners.
How has the CCID’s Urban Management department evolved in the past 14 years?
When I joined the CCID’s Urban team in 2006, I was one of four precinct managers. The CCID's geographical area is divided into four precincts and I was responsible for one of them. In 2009, I was appointed head of the department and my role changed. Looking back, we still have the same approach and mission, and that is to help keep the CBD clean and risk-free. But what has changed quite drastically over the years is how we do business and interact with our stakeholders. Thanks to technology, our systems are far more streamlined and sophisticated and it’s easier to keep track of and in touch with stakeholders, as well as reporting issues to the City. We have also faced growing challenges as the CBD has evolved, with ever-increasing footfall. While the CBD is now quieter than usual because of the lockdown, we usually have hundreds of thousands of people streaming into the area every day.
From police captain to managing the cleaning of a city centre. That’s an astonishing career change. What surprised you the most about it?
Everything. It was a completely different ball game. While I could draw on my experience in the SAPS with regard to challenging situations, working unusual hours, working with people and leading a team, I had to learn everything about the CCID and the CBD from scratch.
What will you miss the most about the Cape Town city centre?
I’m a people’s person, so I am really going to miss talking to people on the street, from our stakeholders to members of the public. I will also miss attending meetings and going to functions. In my time, I’ve attended my fair share of meetings of all shapes and sizes! Also, being at the coalface of the life of the city, especially big events like the Free Jazz Concert and the Festive Lights Switch-on, after which we do a mammoth clean-up to ensure the streets of the CBD are spic and span by sunrise.
Richard Beesley with CCID Urban Management assistant manager Kally Benito
& precinct manager Carlisle Marankey.
Which Urban team are you most proud of?
I am proud of all the Urban teams, from the Graffiti Squad to our cleaners. They all do a phenomenal job in the Central City every single day. They work come rain or shine, and they get the job done. I do, however, have a soft spot for the Road Maintenance team, which we established 10 years ago, to repair damaged pavements, minor potholes, paving and signage, and clean channels and storm water outlets etc. Whenever I got complaints from the public, I would despatch Road Maintenance to solve the problem. The next day I’d get a note of thanks from the complainant. I worked closely with the team and with Johan de Beer, then a Chief Engineer at the City of Cape Town, from the time he and Tasso Evangelinos, our CEO, set it up. Over the years, they have become a feature of the CBD and have mastered coping with a dynamic city centre.
What are your stand-out moments at the CCID?
There are so many, but having my work and role acknowledged at our AGM last year meant a lot to me. Working for a company like the CCID when South Africa hosted the 2010 Soccer World Cup also stands out because of the way we had make it a success from a city perspective. I have also found it rewarding developing the potential of members of my team and teaching them about the CBD and the workings of the CCID.
What is your legacy as head of the CCID’s Urban team?
Setting up the new operational base for Urban’s Straatwerk cleaning and other teams in the Company’s Garden in 2019. It was a big thing for me to ensure that the teams had a place to call home at last. We moved from depot to depot quite often over the years. The new base comprises four green containers that have been adapted and kitted out to house the team. They collect their equipment here every day and then head out into the CBD’s precincts to attend to repairs and maintenance.
What joys and pleasures does retirement hold?
I plan to travel to fishing spots all over the country. Being in nature is very therapeutic. I’ve been fishing for 40 years, and it is the only hobby I enjoy. It also allows me to be with the youngsters in my family and instil discipline while fishing.
Good luck, Mr B. We wish you well in your retirement.