Residents from wards 113, 95, and 96 gathered to discuss the urgent issues of crime and unemployment affecting their neighborhood on Saturday, 26 October 2024, at the Diepsloot Youth Centre. Although attendance was uncharacteristically low, the session went ahead, determined to address the concerns of the Diepsloot community.
Cllr Abraham Mabuke of Ward 113, who facilitated the session, encouraged engagement and open, constructive criticism from attendees. He urged the residents to share their frustrations, knowing that addressing these issues would require the full involvement of the community. “We need each other to bring real solutions,” he emphasised, pushing for the honest dialogue necessary to make tangible changes.
As the meeting progressed, all three wards split into smaller commissions, allowing each group to focus on the issues most pertinent to their respective areas. This structure encouraged fruitful discussions as each ward delved into its unique challenges and crafted strategies to address them. For many, the issues remained as urgent and relevant as ever, emphasising that the community’s priorities had not wavered.
In Ward 96’s commission, Alphaeus Silayelo raised a significant concern regarding healthcare accessibility, noting the limited availability of mobile clinics in the Diepsloot area. He said that the three mobile clinics only service the area for a few days each week and close early. Silayelo proposed that the clinics be available five days a week and remain open until 5pm instead of closing at 3pm. “Healthcare is essential, especially for the vulnerable in our community,” he stated, urging for this adjustment to ensure better access for all residents.
In the same commission, Muzi Gama brought up the pressing issue of rising crime and its correlation to the high unemployment rates, particularly among the youth. He expressed his concerns about the alarming increase in substance abuse, with manyyoung people turning to drugs and alcohol due to a lack of job opportunities and constructive engagement. He advocated for initiatives aimed at creating job opportunities and youth programmes to help steer young residents from addiction and crime.
As the commissions reconvened, each ward shared its discussions with the larger group. Common themes of crime, unemployment and access to essential services emerged, with all agreeing that these issues had become deeply intertwined and demanded immediate, coordinated responses. The meeting concluded with Cllr Mabuke commending participants for their honest input and dedication. He underscored the importance of collaboration and urged everyone to continue these conversations within their wards to drive real change.
“Let’s keep working together,” Cllr Mabuke said, his voice steady with resolve, “because our community depends on it.” The attendees left with a renewed sense of unity, hopeful that their collective voice would lead to a brighter future for Diepsloot.
Written by Luyanda Lunika
28/10/2024
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