Minister Plato to launch Bokmakierie Walking Bus initiative

Today, Tuesday 27 September 2016, Western Cape Minister of Community Safety, Dan Plato, will launch a new Walking Bus initiative in Bokmakierie.

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 in Wesbank, Lentegeur, Beacon Valley, Bishop Lavis, Scottsdene, Leonsdale, Blue-Downs, Manenberg, Hanover Park, Ocean View, Bonteheuwel, Belhar, Delft, Lavender Hill, Steenberg and Khayelitsha.

The Walking Bus launch in Bokmakierie tomorrow is the last Walking Bus to be launched before the upcoming school holiday. After the holidays, Minister Plato envisage further Walking Bus launches both inside the City of Cape Town Metro and in rural communities based on the demand from community members across the province who realise safety is everyone’s responsibility.

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 Bokmakierie 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 Spes Bona High School, Hazendal-, Kewtown- and Bokmakierie Primary schools are making safety a priority in their community.

Note: All media are invited.

Date: Tuesday, 27 September 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: Athlone Community Centre, Corner Jan Smuts Avenue & Klipfontein Road, Athlon