As Mitchell’s Plain residents ease into the new year, the Plainsman caught up with several community leaders who shared their organisations’ key messages and goals for 2025.

Sandy Schuter-Flowers, chairperson of the Strandfontein community police forum has urged the community to remain vigilant, proactive, and committed to working together in 2025.

Sandy Schuter-Flowers, chairperson of the Strandfontein community police forum (CPF), said the forum’s key objectives for 2025 include strengthening partnerships with the police to improve crime prevention and response, increasing community involvement through regular meetings, events, and social media outreach and addressing social issues by tackling poverty, unemployment, and substance abuse with local stakeholders.

Ms Schuter-Flowers said to achieve its goals for 2025, the CPF will host quarterly community meetings to discuss crime trends and gather feedback, organise crime prevention workshops on home security, personal safety and gender-based violence, and strengthen its mentorship programme, which pairs local youth with positive role models.

“I'd like to invite all Strandfontein leaders, including religious leaders, business owners, sports clubs, youth clubs, registered organisations, and early childhood development centres to join us in building a stronger, safer community.

“As we begin this new year, I urge our community to remain vigilant, proactive, and committed to working together. Let's build on our progress and strive for an even brighter future.

“It's time for us to move beyond WhatsApp group chats and get physically involved in creating change. We can't rely on a handful of individuals to fight our battles,” Ms Schuter-Flowers said.

Norman Jantjies, chairperson of the Mitchell’s Plain community police forum, has called for continued collaboration between the police, the City’s law enforcement agencies and stakeholders in the new year.

Norman Jantjies, chairperson of the Mitchell’s Plain CPF, said the forum is looking forward to continued partnership with the police and other stakeholders in 2025.

“The Mitchell's Plain CPF wishes to thank the South African Police Services (SAPS) and other law enforcement agencies, as well as the neighbourhood watch groups for their sterling work over the festive season.

“We trust that the level of trust and cooperation between the community and the CPF will improve, more community members will get involved in the fight against crime, and that SAPS will increase its resources like police vehicles.

“We also wish to see greater cooperation between SAPS and the City of Cape Town,” Mr Jantjies said.

Michael Jacobs, chairperson of the Lentegeur community police forum, said the forum will focus, among others, on violence in schools in the Lentegeur policing precinct in 2025.

Michael Jacobs, newly-elected chairperson of the Lentegeur CPF, said developing a comprehensive safety plan to increase safety in the Lentegeur policing precinct is high on the forum’s list of priorities for 2025.

“Another issue we want to focus on is the violence in schools and surrounding areas that has gripped some of our schools. We want to prevent these education institutions becoming a breeding ground and recruitment centres for gangs.

“We call on the broader community, individuals and organisations to join hands with the CPF and form proactive partnerships to deal with car jackings, house robberies, home invasions and street robberies, which is common in certain parts of the precinct,” Mr Jacobs said, adding: “We as the Lentegeur CPF wish our community a safe and prosperous New Year.”

Zeenat Isaacs, co-founder of Supporting Mentorship through Art, an organisation that uplifts communities through art, said the organisation wants to enhance the employability of more Mitchell’s Plain youths in 2025.

Zeenat Isaacs, co-founder of Supporting Mentorship through Art, an organisation that uplifts communities through art, said the organisation aims to enhance employment prospects for disadvantaged, vulnerable, and marginalised groups, with a focus on youth, in 2025.

“We intend to empower vulnerable groups to establish or improve their businesses through newly acquired Sm-art skills, on-site projects and enterprise development. We hope to connect more youth with study opportunities and create an enabling environment for entrepreneurship through the establishment and strengthening of networks providing social services, working capital, and skills training, while continuing to provide essential feeding and training in targeted communities,” Ms Isaacs said.

Janine Overmeyer, co-founder of the Blaqpearl Foundation, has called on young people to maximise opportunities for growth, training and development that come their way in 2025.

Janine Overmeyer, co-founder of the Blaqpearl Foundation, said the organisation plans to continuing to service the community by providing quality skills development training to unemployed youth, and women and children.

Ms Overmeyer said the foundation will be hosting various events to create a much needed platform and opportunities for creative artists, while also focusing on its own growth.

“Our goal is to reach and assist as many people in need as possible. We want people to know that we are here so we will expand on our marketing of our services. We also look forward to collaborate with like-minded stakeholders and partners to improve and broaden the work that we do,” she said.

“Our message to the youth and communities is to grab the opportunities offered to you by organisations like ours, to equip yourself with valuable skills that empower you and could lead to further opportunities and confidence. Be brave and keep moving forward since it’s the only way to achieve your goals. Be the change you want to see,” Ms Overmeyer added.

Lucretia Jardini, founder of the Mitchell’s Plain Entrepreneurs Hub (MPEH), said the hub wants to build an inclusive business ecosystem that will see all entrepreneurs, including the youth and people with disabilities thrive in 2025.

Lucretia Jardini, founder of the Mitchell’s Plain Entrepreneurs Hub (MPEH), said the hub plans to continue empowering local entrepreneurs by creating platforms for growth, collaboration, and innovation.

Ms Jardini said MPEH will be expanding its support programmes in 2025 by introducing more workshops, mentorship opportunities and resources tailored to specific challenges faced by entrepreneurs in Mitchells Plain.

The hub will also host networking events and market days that bring entrepreneurs together to share ideas and showcase their businesses, and foster inclusivity, she said.

“A major focus for 2025 will be inspiring and supporting young entrepreneurs, equipping them with the tools to turn their ideas into thriving businesses. As a disabled entrepreneur myself, I am passionate about creating an inclusive environment where everyone, regardless of their abilities, can succeed,” Ms Jardini said.

“To the community, 2025 is a year of opportunity. No matter where you are in your entrepreneurial journey, know that your dreams are valid, and there is a place for you in our hub. Let’s work together to build a thriving business ecosystem that uplifts our entire community,” she added.

Neil Cole, chairperson of the Mitchells Plain Development Action Collective, an organisation founded by former anti-Apartheid student activists from Mitchell’s Plain, has pledged the organisation’s continued commitment to make tangible differences in communities in 2025.

Neil Cole, chairperson of the Mitchells Plain Development Action Collective, an organisation founded by former anti-Apartheid student activists from Mitchell’s Plain, called on residents to embrace 2025 with renewed hope, unity, and determination.

“The Mitchells Plain Development Action Collective (MPDAC) stands proudly alongside you, committed to making tangible changes that uplift and inspire. Together, we will embark on a journey that promises brighter opportunities and a stronger community,” he said,

Mr Cole said MPDAC’s adopt-a-school initiative aims to create nurturing spaces where pupils can dream big and thrive, and pursue further education.

“Through social-inclusion programmes, we are building bridges of understanding and ensuring every voice is heard and valued,” he said.

“This year, we are investing deeply in youth leadership training, empowering the leaders of tomorrow to steer Mitchell’s Plain into a brighter future. Simultaneously, our harm-reduction and prevention, and behavioural-change initiatives will aim to restore hope and healing to those facing challenges, helping to rebuild lives with dignity.

“Advancing gender equality and combating gender-based violence remain one of our key strategic focus areas, therefore the organisation will intensify its programmatic work with girls and boys,” he said.

“Mitchells Plain, you are a beacon of strength, and together, we can overcome any challenge. May 2025 be a year of blessings, growth, and triumphs for every family. Let us rise together and shape a legacy of hope for generations to come,” Mr Cole added.

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