​A new initiative which is being driven by passionate City of Cape Town officials, stakeholders and partners in informal settlements in Strandfontein aims to empower and uplift the City’s most vulnerable residents, especially women, children and youth being affected by violence and other social ills. It is hoped that this intervention will be rolled out to other informal settlements across the metro.

The Partnership Initiative is based on the principle of serving residents in a collaborative manner. Various stakeholders, such as non-profit organisations, City departments, field workers, councillors and resident groupings will in future work together in a more integrated and coordinated manner to give hope to residents in informal settlements and support them with the tools needed to manage their everyday challenges.

‘Our officials are on the front lines of our informal settlements. Every day they witness first-hand the emotional despair brought on by, among others, domestic violence and child and women abuse, rape, death and drug and alcohol abuse. Their job stretches far wider than upgrading living spaces or building houses and it is often the social duties that are the most needed,' said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Councillor Benedicta van Minnen.

 

The Partnership works in a practical way. Needs are identified and different partners collaborate to work on the specific requirements of the residents.

 

In the informal settlements, many partners have contributed to the Partnership Initiative, such as the City’s Social Development Department, Safety and Security Directorate and Anti-Land Invasion Unit, as well as the Salesian Institute, Nedbank, the SPCA, Hope South Africa, the Compassion home-based caring organisation, and Camp Agape.