The Impact movement is calling on more community organisations to join an ambitious anti-gang strategy that aims to transform Portlands into a safe haven for children.
At a recent community meeting, representatives from various local organisations gathered to discuss how they can coordinate their efforts under a comprehensive safety plan backed by Subcouncil 17.
Coordinated approach needed
Violence Prevention through Urban Upgrading (VPUU) project coordinator Ignatius France told the meeting that successful implementation requires understanding who the stakeholders are and creating structured spaces for collaboration.
“This is not about VPUU coming in and doing the work. It’s about the organisations from this community leading that charge,” France said at the meeting at Hazeldene Primary School in Portlands on Tuesday 3 March..
The initiative brings together existing holiday clubs, trauma-informed programmes and aftercare services under one coordinated framework to maximise impact.
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Building on existing success
The strategy builds on pilot programmes already running in Portlands and Westridge, including trauma-informed holiday clubs that emerged from a 2024 anti-gang dialogue held in Subcouncil chambers.
Criminologist Ben de Vos, who masterminded Cape Town’s neighbourhood safety officer programme which the City adopted, said the approach focuses on reclaiming spaces currently controlled by gangs.
“We started with the trauma-informed children’s holiday clubs,” De Vos explained. “If you work with children, you inevitably are going to work with parents. You are inevitably going to work with schools.”
The five-year plan proposes transforming four identified sites in Portlands into safe community spaces, including business incubators and aftercare facilities.
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Physical transformation
VPUU’s proposal to Subcouncil 17 includes both social programmes and physical upgrades to create what organisers call “active boxes” — community spaces that allow for meetings, assessments and coordinated service delivery.
France said the approach involves taking “physical spaces and transforming those into something else”, including parks with amphitheatres for arts programmes and containerised small business incubation hubs.
Community ownership essential
The Impact Movement, formed by activists following last year’s dialogue, emphasises that community organisations must drive the initiative rather than relying solely on government intervention.
“We as civil society want to take ownership of our safety and we want to drive it ourselves, so our voices mustn’t be lost in government programmes,” De Vos said.
France stressed that VPUU’s role is temporary, with the goal of establishing “community-owned, leadership-driven” initiatives that continue beyond external support.
The project includes embedded monitoring and evaluation to track impact from community perspectives, not just organisational viewpoints.
Next steps
Organisers plan to establish a steering committee to coordinate participating organisations and return to Subcouncil 17 with a unified approach.
The strategy envisions scaling successful interventions across Mitchell’s Plain by 2030, with major capital investments including park upgrades, CCTV systems and improved lighting.
Community organisations interested in joining the initiative can contact De Vos at 069 470 4215.
