Active Citizenship and the Integrated Development Plan

ORGANISATIONS REPRESENTED: Community Development Workers Caring Network
Acts Ministry for Social Development
Valhalla Park Peoples Organization
Bonteheuwel Advice Office
Community Policing Forum
Inspired 2 Become
The Cape Flats News
BCRA
ILRIG, AIDC, SANCO
Bonteheuwel Housing,Steercomm
Waste Wise
Sultan Banu Centre
SAPS: Voluntary Trauma Counselor
Gender Steps

The Cape Flats is an expansive, low-lying, flat area situated to the southeast of the central business district of Cape Town. To most people in Cape Town, the area is known simply as 'The Flats'. Described by some as 'apartheid's dumping ground', from the 1950s the area became home to people the apartheid government designated as non-White. Race-based legislation such as the Group Areas Act and pass laws either forced non-white people out of more central urban areas designated for white people and into government-built townships in the Flats, or made living in the area illegal, forcing many people designated as Black into informal settlements elsewhere in the Flats. The Flats have since then been home to much of the population of Greater Cape Town.

There is a disconnect between local government and NGO’s, NPO’s, CDW’s. Communities must be less empathetic and more pro-active regarding their civic duties. Delegates were informed of the protocol regarding the escalation process for holding people accountable. With RIGHTS COMES RESPONSIBILTY. There is a lack of understanding regarding the workings of the different structures: Municipalities, Sub-councils, and Ward Forums.  There is a view that “We only have the right to vote”.
 

This workshop introduced the local Community Based Organisations to the structures and functions of local government - including the IDP and ward committees - and encouraged Bonteheuwel residents to involve themslves in local governance.