Drakenstein

Drakenstein Local Municipality is one of three municipalities participating in the Violence Prevention through Urban Upgrading (VPUU) Programme.

VPUU Safe Node Area: Paarl East, which includes the neighbourhoods of Chicago, Groenheuwel, New Orleans, Dalvale and Fairyland, was selected as the Safe Node Area, which is the designated area where VPUU projects are implemented using an area-based approach.

Approved Projects: All of the projects being undertaken in the Paarl East Safe Node Area emanate from the Community Action Plan (CAP), which is a plan of action developed through extensive processes of negotiation and consensus-building with communities and the municipality.

All projects are aligned to the VPUU Strategy, which includes measures to prevent crime and violence, build social cohesion, create safe communities, and provide evidence through research and development.

There are numerous projects being undertaken in the Paarl East area including:

• Development of an Early Childhood Development Strategy for Paarl East;
• Establishing programmes for youth;
• Development of a Local Economic Development Strategy for Paarl East;
• Providing skills training and support;
• Organising community festivals in order to establish social cohesion across racial boundaries;
• Providing platforms for local leadership to engage with communities;
• Developing safe walkways and improving public lighting in crime hotspots;
• Improving public facilities and public open space; and
• Conducting ongoing community surveys to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the programme.