NEWS RELEASE 15 December 2004

CITY POLICE CHRISTMAS TREE PROJECT BENEFITS CHILDREN FROM INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS

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Today 130 children from some of the poorest communities in Cape Town were afforded the opportunity to share in the festive spirit at a Christmas party hosted especially for them by the Cape Town City Police.

The function, which was held at the Dukes Regimental Military Hall at the Acacia Park Military Base in Goodwood, is an initiative of the City of Cape Town’s Safer Cities Programme. The children who benefited are between 4 and 6 years old and from families where there is barely enough money to feed each family member, let alone buy Christmas presents.

Many of the children live in the informal settlements of Malawe and Wallacedene, where the threat of runaway fires is a daily fear. Also present were children from Bonteheuwel, Elsies River, Delft and Leonsdale, all areas where crime and gangsterism are prevalent. These children are unlikely to receive gifts for Christmas as they come from families who live below the breadline.

The day started with a scrumptious breakfast, after which the children were entertained by Come and Play of the Sports and Recreation department. Amid squeals of delight, the children enjoyed a fun-filled day of face-painting, clown shows and other outdoor games. A firm favourite was the colourful jumping castle. This was followed by lunch and the highlight of the day - a surprise visit by Father Christmas himself, who arrived with a bag full of presents for the delighted tots!

Speaking at the event, the City of Cape Town’s interim co-ordinator for Social Crime Prevention, Pieter Groenewald, said "Ironically, our children are the most vulnerable and their safety most at risk during the festive season, as this is when adults from these communities become involved in anti-social activities and often neglect the interests of the child. He said that the intent of this initiative was to foster relations with the children so that they perceive members of the City Police as a friend to turn to in times of need.

Mr Groenewald emphasized the frightening threat of runaway fires through the informal settlements, citing this as a major cause of loss of life and possession over the festive period. He cautioned people to be on red alert over this particularly dangerous, dry period.

CITY POLICE CHRISTMAS TREE PROJECT BENEFITS CHILDREN FROM INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS

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The devastating fires that ravaged four informal settlements in the Western Cape earlier this week and left more than 2 600 people homeless served to highlight the need for caution when working with indoor and outdoor open fires.

Mr Groenewald urged all members of the community to spare a thought for these children. He said that children are our most valuable asset and that they will take our democracy into the future. He added that it is essential to offer these children hope for the future, and said that the City Police views the annual Christmas Tree project as an integral part of its social responsibility towards the communities it serves. In closure he thanked Divisional Commander Wayne le Roux and his officers from Division 6 & 7 of the City Police for their invaluable contribution and dedication to making this project a success.

ENDS

Issued by Rosemary Hare Public Relations cc and Luxholo Training and Development Services

P O Box 12521

MILL STREET

8010

On behalf of The City of Cape Town

Private Bag X9181

CAPE TOWN

8000

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