| City commemorates five years of ‘strengthening families’ | City of Cape Town’s Social Development and Early Childhood Development Department has guided participating families through the internationally recognised Strengthening Families programme. | <p>The City of Cape Town’s Social Development and Early Childhood Development Department has guided participating families through the internationally recognised Strengthening Families programme.</p><p>The preventative programme includes working with both child and parent to recognise the value of familial relationships.</p><p>The programme was first piloted in Cape Town in April 2013 when 63 families from Scottsdene, Elsies River, Manenberg, Lavender Hill and Bonteheuwel attended the course. The number of participating families had grown to 1 076 by the end of June 2018.</p><p>The eight-week course comprises 10 sessions and uses practical and interactive methods to broach topics like love and limits, house rules, encouraging good behaviour and consequences. It also teaches children how to have goals and dreams, how to appreciate their parents, how to deal with stress, how to resist peer pressure and to associate themselves with good friends. </p><p>For parents, the programme aims to assist them in understanding their children better and thus help prevent their children from falling into anti-social behaviour and activities. Another layer that has been added in the City’s execution of the programme is to secure temporary work opportunities for some of the parents through the Expanded Public Works Programme.</p><p>‘The Strengthening Families programme is one of the City’s many social crime and substance abuse interventions. Very often problems at home are blamed for social ills such as substance abuse, gang involvement, truancy and other negative behaviours, so this programme starts at the root. It aims to improve relationships and the overall climate in the home environment and build resilience in young people so that they are able to make good life choices,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security; and Social Services, Alderman JP Smith.</p><p>The before and after assessments of the Strengthening Families programme comprises 54 questions. These questions are grouped into 4 themes, namely: </p><ul><li><div style="text-align:left;">My child and I</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Disciplining tactics</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Child's behaviour</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Child's behaviour toward others </div></li></ul><p>The evaluations reflect notable improvements in positive responses around behavioural change in both parents and children, as well as improved communication skills and quality time spent together.</p><p>‘There is no guarantee that a happy home protects children from falling into anti-social behavior, but I believe that it helps and that’s why we will forge ahead with the Strengthening Families programme to help instill positive behaviour early on. A child who is guided along the right path and who receives care and attention at home is less likely to become a problematic adult,’ added Alderman Smith.</p><p><br><strong>End</strong></p> | 2018-09-20T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| City gives Lightfoot Memorial a facelift | The Lightfoot memorial, one of Cape Town’s iconic monuments located in the square adjacent to the Trafalgar Place Flower Market | <span><figure class="figure-credits left"><img class="responsive" alt="placeholder" src="http://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/Sculture1.jpg" style="width:530px;" /><figcaption>
<p><b>© City of Cape Town</b></p> </figcaption> </figure>The City of Cape Town will spend approximately R1 million on the revitalisation of Trafalgar Place and the memorial for Archdeacon Thomas Lightfoot. </span><p>The City has awarded the restoration contract to a well-known local heritage restoration contractor, Jan Corewijn.</p><p>The restoration work is expected to be completed by the end of September 2018.</p><p> <strong>Brief background:</strong></p><p>The memorial was designed in honour of Archdeacon Thomas Lightfoot (1831-1904), a well-respected member of early Cape Town who was renowned for his work with the poor and destitute. </p><span><figure class="figure-credits right"><img class="responsive" alt="placeholder" src="http://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/sculture2.jpg" style="width:498px;" /><figcaption>
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© City of Cape Town</p> </figcaption> </figure><p>Lightfoot was born in England and first worked as a newspaper reporter. In 1853 he met Bishop Grey who inspired him to become a missionary. He was ordained a deacon in 1857 and arrived in Cape Town in 1858 where he was attached to the cathedral. He was ordained a priest in 1859, became a canon of the Cathedral in 1868 and Archdeacon of the Cape in 1885. He was also an original member of the Philosophical Society and was one of the founders of the free soup kitchens and of night shelters for the homeless.</p><p>Archdeacon Lightfoot served on the committee of almost every charitable institution in Cape Town and he founded St Paul’s Mission. Archdeacon Thomas Lightfoot died in 1904 and his funeral was attended by vast crowds of people, many of whom came from the city’s poor and destitute communities. Also in attendance was Bishop Lavis, a future freeman of the City of Cape Town. The cornerstone on Orphan Street at the end of St Paul’s Church in Bree Street is inscribed to his memory. </p><p>The three-metre-tall rare Veronese marble memorial was designed by Baker and Masey and was unveiled in 1907 by the then Mayor of Cape Town. The flower sellers were already well established in this square at that time. The history of the Archdeacon and the flower sellers is intertwined in this space. </p><p><strong>The restoration project</strong></p><p>The 109-year-old memorial, one of Cape Town’s oldest and most treasured icons, together with the various linkages that the Archdeacon’s life has with other historic sites in the city centre. The memorial has been exposed to Cape Town’s weather conditions and is in need of restoration. </p><span><figure class="figure-credits left"><img class="responsive" alt="placeholder" src="http://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/sculture3.jpg" style="width:1137px;" /><figcaption>
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© City of Cape Town</p> </figcaption> </figure>The work is intended to stabilise the memorial and to halt the deterioration. Where economically and practically feasible, the marble and structural elements will be cleaned, improved or restored. For example, a fake bronze profile of the Archdeacon’s face will be replaced at the top lantern section after the original bronze panels were stolen and some of it vandalised. </span><p>The work is delicate and requires specialised equipment, materials and craftsmanship. The tiled mosaics will be used to ‘dress’ the bare concrete seating created around the memorial in recent years in order to add colour and a graphic link to the flower sellers.</p><p>‘This project speaks to this year’s theme for Heritage Month: ‘Reclaiming, restoring and celebrating our living heritage’ and is not only about making this space beautiful but it is also aimed at honouring the Archdeacon’s legacy of servanthood and preserving the cultural heritage. Honouring those who have gone before us is part of who we are, and we need to preserve this legacy. Also, restoring the memorial ensures that the culture of this historic space is maintained.</p><p>‘This square is rich in history and has a diverse value. On the one hand it serves as a cultural space, while on the other it is an economic hub,’ said Councillor Brett Herron, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Transport and Urban Development.</p><p><br><strong>End</strong></p><p><br> </p></span> | 2018-09-20T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| City working hard to improve the lives of all Imizamo Yethu residents | The City embarked on designing and implementing a super-blocking project for the area | <p>Subsequent to the fire of 2017 that left hundreds of residents of Imizamo Yethu homeless, the City embarked on designing and implementing a super-blocking project for the area. The intention of the super-blocking project was to establish roadways for emergency vehicle access as well as water, sanitation and electricity infrastructure throughout the area. These services would see the quality of life and dignity of all residents of Imizamo Yethu improved. </p><p>To realise this project, the construction of Road One was required in order to open up an alternative access path into the area because Molwekane Street had to be closed off to allow the civil work necessary to install utilities infrastructure. In order to construct Road One it became necessary to relocate those residents in roughly 200 structures situated along this pathway. </p><p>As such, the City identified another parcel of land to temporarily relocate the residents of the Road One pathway onto. This land parcel is situated above the cemetery and was named the ‘Triangle Site’. The City then began the process of negotiating the terms of relocation with the occupants of Road One. Due to a number of grievances regarding the specifications of the proposed temporary accommodation and site, the residents of Road One have consistently rejected the City’s terms for relocation. Unfortunately, the City was left with no choice other than to apply to the Western Cape High Court for an urgent eviction order.</p><p>At the same time, the City also had direct negotiations on the matter of the temporary relocation with the Hout Bay Ratepayers’ Association (HBRA), as the Triangle Site is situated adjacent to some of their members’ formal residences.</p><p>The HBRA subsequently subjoined the legal proceedings and have similarly opposed the relocation of the Road One occupants onto the Triangle Site. Given the limited space in the area, the City has no other viable land parcels on which to establish a temporary relocation area other the Triangle Site. </p><p>The City’s legal representatives met with Judge Monde Samela yesterday to inform the Judge about the urgency of the matter. The Judge has granted dates for the matter to be heard in the Western Cape High Court on 12 and 13 November 2018.</p><p>The ongoing court action between the City, some of the occupants of Road One and the HBRA has meant that those Imizamo Yethu residents who have patiently been awaiting the finalisation of the super-blocking project in the City’s original two temporary relocation areas situated on the Disa and Depot sites are growing restless. Without the establishment of Road One, the City is unable to commence with the super-blocking project or provide any basic services in the area.</p><p>Despite rising frustrations from all concerned parties, the City remains committed to continuing to mediate and to bring all three groupings together to find a peaceful solution to the impasse. While we are looking at all possible alternatives to continue with the super-blocking process, this ultimately rests on establishing a shared vision between all stakeholders for the future development of Imizamo Yethu. Executive Mayor Patricia de Lille, together with the Mayoral Committee Member for Informal Settlements, Water and Waste Services, Cllr Xanthea Limberg and Ward Councillor Roberto Quintas have recently met with all concerned groups. </p><p>The City calls for calm until the court pronounces judgement on this matter and notes that any agreement reached will be contingent on compromises from all concerned groupings. <br></p><p><strong>End</strong></p> | 2018-09-19T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| Temporary road closures for the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon | Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, taking place on Saturday 22 September and Sunday 23 September 2018 | <p>The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, taking place on Saturday 22 September and Sunday 23 September 2018, will start and finish in the Cape Town Stadium Precinct. </p><p>Thousands of participants and spectators are expected to make their way to the city centre and Stadium Precinct, for this event, which will result in increased traffic volumes. All road users are therefore advised to please take note of the temporary road closures and to plan their trips accordingly.</p><p>Details of the restrictions and road closures are available here: <a href="https://bit.ly/2QIzF9j" target="_blank">https://bit.ly/2QIzF9j</a> </p><p><strong>End</strong></p> | 2018-09-19T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
