About 50 members from several District Six organisations marched in Cape Town on Friday to protest the Department of Social Development’s proposal to turn the old Tafelberg Creche into a homeless shelter.
Also read: Residents invited to comment on the new shelter planned for District Six
Leaders from the District Six Civic Association, the Upper District Six Neighbourhood Watch (UD6NW), the Silvertree Rugby Club, the District Six Working Committee and the District Six Advocacy Group handed a memorandum of their objections to the provincial legislature offices.
The march follows a peaceful picket held earlier this month at the creche, where protesters suggested that the site rather be used for community recreation. UD6NW chairman Igsaan Alexander says the group is not opposed to providing homeless people with help, adding that there are ‘three homeless shelters in District Six and all the open land around the creche is earmarked for restitution, and the claimants would need this building as a community centre.’
He says there is not community centre currently in District Six where community groups and residents can hold functions.
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According to the Southern Suburbs Tatler, the old Tafelberg Creche used to serve as the clubhouse for the Silvertree Boys Club and was their home during Apartheid. Rashied Combrink, the rugby club’s president, says the youth of District Six used it as a venue for various sports activities.
‘We don’t have a problem with having a shelter, though we need a place where we can encourage youth development, and we, as part of the Silvertree Rugby Club, will assist in setting up youth structures for various sports codes at that site.’
The deadline for public comment ended on 14 July. Monique Mortlock-Malgas, a spokesperson for the department, said further steps for engagement with stakeholders will be followed depending no the inputs received.
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