Where a child grows up shapes their access to education, safety, public services and opportunities. Consequently, local government is a powerful force in children’s lives.
This was the focus of the first Metro Lives dialogue. The event was held at the District Six Museum’s Homecoming Centre on Tuesday 21 July. Government representatives, child-rights advocates and political leaders attended to discuss how municipalities affect children’s wellbeing.
The panel included Cape Town Deputy Mayor Eddie Andrews and Brett Herron, representing the GOOD and Rise Mzansi coalition. Western Cape Commissioner for Children Sarah Roberts and DG Murray Trust (DGMT) project director Kwanda Ndoda also took part.
A city shaped by its children
First, DGMT chief executive David Harrison opened the event. He argued that children’s experiences today would shape the city’s future.
“It’s the experience of children in Cape Town today that will determine the future of this city,” he said. “That’s not an exaggeration. It’s probably the single biggest predictor of what this city will look like in 20 years’ time.”
Two children, two Cape Towns
Roberts illustrated the unequal experiences of children in different parts of Cape Town. She described one child who walks through a well-maintained neighbourhood to a nearby school. Moreover, this child has access to sport and extracurricular activities. By contrast, another child wakes before dawn to travel long distances by public transport to school.
For Andrews, the second example reflected his own upbringing. “That was my life,” he said.
Legacy of apartheid spatial planning
However, much of the discussion centred on the legacy of apartheid spatial planning. This legacy continues to leave many lower-income communities far from employment opportunities and public amenities.
Herron said where children live continues to shape their opportunities. “So where children live matters,” he said. “In 32 years we haven’t done enough to fix the apartheid spatial plan and everything that goes with it.”
Furthermore, Andrews said the City was channelling a significant budget towards improving services in historically disadvantaged communities.
Push for ECD compliance
In addition, he highlighted measures aimed at helping more early childhood development (ECD) centres become compliant with registration requirements. Specifically, the City has established an ECD task team to address compliance barriers. Meanwhile, a fund has been set up to assist with development costs.
The initiative forms part of a broader programme. It is supported by about R300 million from German development bank KfW, in partnership with DGMT. As a result, the programme helps unregistered ECD centres meet compliance requirements and qualify for government subsidies.
‘Children don’t get to vote’
DGMT communications specialist Corné Kritzinger said the dialogue focused on the impact of municipal decisions on children’s lives.
“Children don’t get to vote in local-government elections,” she said. “Yet municipal decisions shape almost every aspect of their daily lives,” she added. This includes safe places to play and learn. It also covers the quality of public services in their communities.
Ultimately, the Metro Lives series will continue in Johannesburg on 24 August, followed by Durban in September. Both events will be livestreamed on Zoom.
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