Mitchells Plain residents are begging for help with stoutgat laaities after a man took this knife from a 12-year-old boy who was recently expelled from school for fighting.
They say the issue of children roaming the streets has become a growing problem in Freedom Park, Tafelsig, where “almost every second child” is either bunking, has dropped out of school or has been expelled.
But the Western Cape Education Department says it is the legal duty of parents to make sure their children are at school.
Freedom Park used to be an informal settlement before formal houses were built there in 2008.
Community leaders Philidelphia Hartzenberg, Gadija Bazier and Gaironesa Fortuin say the area has massive socio-economic problems like drug abuse, gangsterism, poverty and unemployment.
“Unemployment is very high here, children do want to go to school but the parents are unemployed,” says Philidelphia.
Community worker, Gadija Bazier. Video: Genevieve Serra/Daily Voice
“Sometimes there is no transport money, or there is not a piece of bread to place on the table and the kids go hungry.
“Rape is high here, as well as drugs and gangsterism.”
She says often children run away to look for “food and love” elsewhere.
Gadjia stops to talk to a 12-year-old boy, who admits he has been expelled from school for fighting.
“Ek is 12 jaar oud en ek is van die skool geskors. I was at Huguenot Primary school,” the boy says.
A neighbour, who asked not be identified, shows the Daily Voice a knife which he says he took off the boy.
Philidelphia Hartzenberg
“The problem we have in Freedom Park is children who are wanting to be part of a gang, sitting on corners and smoking dagga and carrying weapons on them,” he says.
A 17-year-old girl says she was expelled two years ago after fighting at school.
Since then she’s been spending her time sitting on street corners with friends.
WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond says structures are in place to help financially struggling parents.
“All children under the age of 16 are legally obliged to attend schools and it is the parents’ responsibi- lity to ensure their children are enrolled and that they attend school every day,” she says.
“The WCED... will ensure that learners are placed in schools. If a parent requires assistance in this area, they should contact the WCED District Office.
ON HAND: Laaitie’s huge knife. Photo: Tracey Adams/African News Agency (ANA)
“Parents who can’t afford fees at fee-paying schools can apply for exemption.”
Cayla Murray, spokesperson for Social Development Minster Albert Fritz, says there are programmes for school drop-outs, such as youth cafés, which provide young people with “skills and a sense of worth, resilience and leadership”.
“Youth Cafés are a safe haven for young people who have dropped out of school and want to improve their employability, or who might even need a quiet and productive environment to study and complete their homework.”
For Youth Cafés in your area, call 0800 220 250.