Safe Cities: Empowering Communities Through Collective Action

In the heart of Elsies River, an organization called Safe Cities has been quietly transforming lives since February 2006. Born from grassroots conversations among residents and religious leaders in neighbourhoods like Bishop Lavis, Manenberg, and Atlantis, Safe Cities has evolved into a powerful force for community empowerment and positive change.

Safe Cities addresses community challenges through several impactful programs:

Capacity Building and Theatre Program: Working with children ages 4-16, this program focuses on both social skills and academic development. What makes this initiative particularly effective is its practical approach children are fed first, which helps them better absorb and apply what they're taught. The program serves grades R through to 7, with availability for higher grades as well.

Permaculture Program: Through this initiative, residents learn how to create sustainable gardens, promoting self-sufficiency and environmental consciousness.

Young Leaders Initiative: This exciting program targets youth aged 13-35, focusing on self-development and empowerment. Participants have even launched their own online show discussing youth empowerment and skills development.

Women Empowerment Program: Notably, this program doesn't just serve women but welcomes men as well (ages 30-70), recognizing that community transformation requires involvement from everyone. As Samantha May from Safe Cities pointed out, "So often, we just focus mostly on empowering the woman, but we tend to forget about the males."

One of Safe Cities' most exciting developments is their Visual Arts Internship program, funded through the Presidential Employment Stimulus Program, the Department of Sports and Arts and Culture, the National Art Museum in Bloemfontein, and Arts Bank.

Internship Details:

Open to individuals aged 18-35

Requires an NQF level 6 qualification (diploma or degree)

Applicants must provide a certified South African ID, CV/resume, and proof of bank account

Applications can be sent to SafeCitiesNPOheadoffice@gmail.com

 

The internship begins with a two-week orientation and training period. A typical day involves research, planning, rehearsals, and community engagement through various creative outlets. Interns receive regular mentorship and check-ins to ensure their professional and personal development.

Sharon Manuel, another representative from Safe Cities, shared a heart-warming testament to their impact: "Our theatre productions...it's the same children, and they couldn't speak English when they came to us. It's the same children, and they couldn't make a full sentence. The same ones that didn't know how to say please and thank you. Now for them to be on a stage and be the star of the show, they are so exceptional."

This transformation speaks volumes about the organization's approach to community development. Rather than simply implementing external interventions, Safe Cities empowers individuals to become agents of change themselves.

For those inspired to join the Safe Cities movement:

Visit them at 44 31 Avenue, Elsies River

Call or WhatsApp: 084 353 2229

Find them on all social media platforms under "Safe Cities"

 

The organization welcomes everyone who wishes to contribute, emphasizing that there's "space and a program for every person out there."

Safe Cities demonstrates that organized, compassionate community mobilization is indeed the most potent tool for sustainable progress. Through their dedication to empowering individuals of all ages, they're creating not just safer spaces, but stronger communities built on resilience, creativity, and collective action.

Click on the video to here more: 

Presenter: Jasnine Roberts

Producer: Jasnine Roberts