MEDIA ALERT: Minister Plato to launch Retreat Walking Bus initiative

Tomorrow, Thursday 20 October 2016, Western Cape Minister of Community Safety, Dan Plato, will launch a new Walking Bus initiative in Retreat.

The Walking Bus initiative aims to create a safe and supervised route for learners to and from school every day with the commitment and involvement of the community playing a central part to help create safer environments.

Since May 2016 Minister Plato has launched Walking Bus initiatives in partnership with communities across the Cape Town Metropole and recently expanded to communities in the Southern Cape.

The Walking Bus launch in Retreat tomorrow builds on the success of the Walking Bus initiatives already launched and are based on the demand from community members across the province who wishes to prioritise safety in their communities.

The Walking Bus initiative will see parents forming the ‘drivers’ of the ‘bus’ and supported by the Neighbourhood Watch (NHW), Community Policing Forum (CPF), the relevant school, Ward Councillor and Department of Community Safety to help safeguard learners to and from school.

The Strand Walking Bus will see parents volunteering their time to help improve the safety of learners on their way to school with the support tomorrow of the City of Cape Town Metro Police, Traffic, Law Enforcement, as well as the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Through the Walking Bus initiative, the parents, learners and educators of the Bergvliet-, Zwaanswyk-, Lourier-, Cafda- and Delta Primary School schools are making safety a priority in their community.

Note: All media are invited

Date: Thursday, 20 October 2016

Time: 07:00 – 10:00 – Minister Plato to join walking bus participants between 07:00 and 08:15; Volunteer appreciation ceremony starts at 09:00

Venue: Retreat Community Centre, Corner Cradock Road & Concert Boulevard, Retreat, Cape Town