Cape Town earns global recognition becoming first 'Beacon City' for humane animal management

Clarence Ford speaks to Moyo Ndukwana, CEO of Cape of Good Hope SPCA and JP Smith from Cape Town's MayCo member for Safety and Security.

Cape Town has earned global recognition for its compassionate and evidence-based approach to managing animal populations humanely, enhancing quality of life for both people and animals. 

This achievement has led to Cape Town’s selection by the International Companion Animal Management Coalition (ICAM) as its first “Beacon City” for humane animal management.

Ndukwana highlights the power of partnerships, compassion, community education, and innovative solutions in creating safer, kinder cities for humane animal welfare worldwide which is about fostering compassion and community health. 

Humane animal management is all about love: do we care? It's about doing the best that you can with the resources and means you have at your disposal, explains Ndukwana.

Ndukwana says from policies to compassion for animals and proper awareness about pet care - a better future for animals and one where fewer strays exist is something everyone plays a role in. 

"Compassion for animals is where it all starts before we can talk about other bigger broader perspectives we have to actually - it's time to say it - the greatness of a nation is going to be viewed with how its animals are treated, so that's where we have to start."

- Moyo Ndukwana, CEO - Cape of Good Hope SPCA

Meanwhile, Smith is 'excited' about where the City is heading in terms of working for the protection for animals but admits it is also 'challenging because the answer is not to shelter all animals, it's not possible' for a single organisation - a sentiment Ndukwana shares.

"Let's understand that the problem of pet over population is a global problem and cannot be left to one organisation to solve the City's problems - we all have to be united."

- Moyo Ndukwana, CEO - Cape of Good Hope SPCA

Ndukwana explains that 'the benchmark is to have local solutions for local problems.'

Ndukwana also believes that better policies about animal and human relationships should be implemented.

"We have to be guided by policies put in place to create that harmonious space where humans and animals can thrive. So let's go back to the policies and let's write in and define policies which protect both."

- Moyo Ndukwana, CEO - Cape of Good Hope SPCA

Meanwhile, Smith agrees and says support and resources for these policies are required beyond local government which they are receiving...

"'These matters fall under Deputy Mayor Eddie Andrews and his department of environmental planning... to minimise conflict between humans and animals...
other spheres of government have also stepped up to acknowledge that they have responsibilities to effectively fund the resources to decrease conflict between humans and animals."

- JP Smith - Cape Town's MayCo member - Safety and Security