City hosts roundtable for Stronger Cities Network

14 December 2023

The City of Cape Town hosted a gathering of African cities during which representatives shared threats and challenges with social cohesion and security. 

The Strong Cities Network met for two days on 11 and 12 December and included representatives from Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya.

'The City presented its prevention framework and broader approach to safety and how it fits into the Safety and Security Directorate. The sessions took participants through programmes that can help prevent or mitigate the impact of hate, extremism and polarisation. We had the opportunity to showcase City-led investments in community based organisations and initiatives, such as our neighbourhood watches, youth organisations and more.

'One of the resolutions taken unanimously by the cities was to establish a peer to peer learning platform for eastern and southern African cities. Learning that is characterised by training, identification of low hanging projects(easy to implement) on prevention of hate, early warnings signs that are common between east and south because of migration of people within this region and a closer look at rural communities which are often situated on the periphery in these cities. These engagements will happen once every quarter of the year,' said the Chairperson of the Safety and Security Portfolio Committee, Councillor Mzwakhe Nqavashe.

Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office