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SAPS Exhibition at Manenburg High School in Cape Town
A recent career exhibition, which took place at Phoenix Secondary School in Manenberg on the Cape Flats, is part of the police’s anti-gang strategy, aimed at ensuring the youth of Manenberg have more choices and opportunities for their future.
During the expo, learners were able to interact with various police units and learn about some of their activities.
A matriculant at Phoenix Secondary School, Tiyana Metcalfe says, “I actually feel great because it’s an amazing experience, we don’t really get opportunities at other schools, so this is a huge opportunity for all of us at our school.”
A Grade 11 learner at Heideveld High School, Amahle Mlungwana adds, “It feels so great because I got so much insight on what I need to go to university in the next two years and what is needed. I feel so knowledgeable right now. They helped me make my decisions better.”
Another Grade 11 learner at Heideveld High School, Shivande Pienaar says, “It’s such an exciting experience, especially because of where we come from. We come from very underprivileged backgrounds. We just want to better ourselves and better our communities.”
Trust between the Manenburg community and the police is a major issue. “Trust in any community is earned by SAPS on what they do and the activities that they are doing. In Manenberg, whatever information we receive from the community depends on how fast we respond. Our speedy response to information will always help improve the community’s trust in the police,” explains Manenberg Police Station Station Commander, Brigadier Jayce Naidoo.
Principal of Phoenix Secondary School in Manenberg, Shameeg Fredericks, says, “The relationship between our school and Manenberg SAPS is a very good relationship. In terms of the community, it’s quite difficult because people still see the police as the villains, and only these youngsters can change that by joining the police force. They need to look at alternatives so they can see the police are not villains; they are also people who are there to help us.”
A matriculant at Heideveld Secondary School, Shakoor Lucas says, “There is not enough trust. What I think we should do is have more community meetings so we can get feedback from each other.”
More engagement between police and various communities with high crime levels on the Cape Flats is expected to take place in the coming months, to reduce gang violence and drug abuse in Cape Town.
