Nuus/News
TygerBurger Kraaifontein Bladsy 2
Woensdag 7 Maart 2012
Towards a safer neighbourhood DESIREÉ RORKE
Two projects initiated by the Northpine Neighbourhood Watch over the last two weekends, were stepping stones to a safer community. On Friday night, 24 February Alderman JP Smith, the City of Cape Town’s mayoral committee member for safety and security, along with city councillors Grant Twigg and Brenda Hansen, joined members of the neighbourhood watch for a foot patrol through the area. On hand to keep everybody safe, was ADT, members of the Metro Police, law enforcement, Guardian Angels and fire and rescue services. The objective of this project according to chairman Mark McDonald was to heighten visibility in the neighbourhood. “As we walked down the streets suspicious-looking people were stopped and searched and we also took the opportunity to speak to community members to make them aware of the neighbourhood watch and our activities,” he said. One suspect was arrested for possession of illegal narcotics after he was found with a tik lolly and other drugs, and about 20 people were searched. Fines were issued for unlicensed vehicles and loud music emanating from a motor vehicle. The year is only a couple of months old and the first phase of the early enrolment process for the 2013 school year was already rolled out on Thursday last week. Each year the Western Cape education department (WCED) stresses the importance of enrolling children early for school, especially for parents of children who will be entering Grade 1 or Grade 8 the following year. Early enrolment allows the WCED to plan for the year ahead, which depends on knowing how many learners will be in every school in 2013 well before the end of this year. “We can then make provision for textbooks, educators, furniture,
Some of the members of the Northpine Neighbourhood Watch. Front, from left is Sheila Sars, Andrew Olyn and Dalene McHardy. Back, from left is Graig Wakefield, Croyded Rigney, Linsay Schereka, Johanna Williams and Anton Peacock. Photo: Desireé Rorke Furthermore, a dilapidated building in Zandvoort Crescent, was identified as a problem area and referred to the problem buildings unit of the city for further investigation. An illegal dumping site was identified in Montenegry Street and referred to the city’s solid waste management department. McDonald furthermore said they have received a lot of positive feedback from the community since then. The neighbourhood watch, a nonprofit organisation is currently in
the process of registering with the Western Cape department of community safety. According to McDonald existing legislation does not oblige a neighbourhood watch to register with any governmental body, but that they did enjoy strong support from the City of Cape Town. This past Saturday they also held an awareness campaign and fun day at the Shell Garage at the entrance of Northpine. They were joined by members of traffic services, fire and rescue and
Enrol early for ‘a better education’ and other learning materials that are needed so that we can start the school year on time and prepared,” says Donald Grant, Western Cape minister of education. “Early enrolment is also important because parents do not always get their children into their first schools of choice. What we have found in previous years is that parents apply only to a small number of schools and in many instances, only one school.” Parents are not guaranteed their first schools of choice and they need to be prepared for the fact that their
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application can be unsuccessful. “Being on a waiting list is also not a guarantee that the learner will be admitted to that school. Applying early allows parents to consider in good time more options available to them. It also allows us to assist where necessary. There are areas, especially in the metro region, which are in high demand.” The first phase of enrolment will end on Friday 22 June. Parents must first deal directly with the schools at which they wish to enrol their children and apply. He says parents should be in-
formed by the beginning of July if their application has been successful. This allows parents sufficient time to look for alternative schools at which to enrol their children in the second round. The second phase will begin on Monday 16 July. If parents continue to encounter difficulties in enrolling their child, they may approach their local education district office for assistance. Contact details of the relevant education district office may be obtained from the school. Parents must provide the follow-
On Friday 2 March at approximately 20:00 the Kraaifontein police were called to a scene on the corner of 8th Avenue and Van der Byl Street in Belmont Park. “On the scene the police members found the community holding a suspect on the ground,” says Captain Gerhard Niemand from the Kraaifontein Police Station. According to the people there were four robbers walking down 8th Avenue, threatening passersby with a knife and robbing them of their valuables. “The one victim was stabbed in the chest and the community was alerted. Some of the citizens and Gavin Riddles, who was walking through Belmont Park to his church, responded and caught two of the suspects. The one struggled, freed himself and ran away. One was handed over to the police,” he says, adding that they applaud the community for their courage.
ing documents when submitting their applications: . The child’s birth certificate (baptismal certificates are not regarded as proof of birth date); . Immunisation card, and . Transfer card or the last report card for learners who have already been to school. Schools may enrol learners provisionally if these documents are not available. They will give parents and guardians reasonable time to submit them. “Make use of this opportunity and take responsibility for the education of your children by enrolling early,” says Grant. “By enrolling early we can make education better together.”
HEARING AIDS Open invite to join bowls club MICHAEL FOURIE B. Pharm
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If you are interested, SMS “HEAR” to 34007
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ghost squad, as well as the Peerless Park Neighbourhood Watch. The day was sponsored by Capitec Bank, Britos Meat, Willem’s Shop, The Graphic Pen and Pin Properties. “Our main aim was once again awareness and to get to know the members in our community and get more people involved. The functions of a neighbourhood watch necessitate a good relationship with all the members of the community so that we can watch over each other,” he said.
Crowd holds suspect
DURBANVILLE: Mediplein Medical Centre, Hibiscus Rd BRACKENFELL:Medicross Medical Centre, c/o Brackenfell Boulevard & Nina Str. BELLVILLE: Oakmed Centre behind Mkem PAROW: Medicross Centre, McIntyre Road
By appointment only
The Kraaifontein Bowling Club is inviting all persons, adults and children interested in playing bowls, to come and join the club. “We are a very social club, but serious about our game. We will make special allowance for pensioners and for players with no or little income. Our greens are in good con-
dition and really up to standard, but come and have a look yourself and bring family and friends,” says Koos Fourie of the club. The club is located at the Kraaifontein sport grounds. For more information contact Koos Fourie on 082 879 0958 or koosf@transtech.co.za or Alma Erasmus on 082 045 9966.
Call toll-free 0800 166 947
INVITATION Recycling – Green Expo hosted by community organisations in partnership with WastePlan and the City of Cape Town has the pleasure of inviting you to a Think Twice recycling event Date: Time: Venue: Admit:
Tuesday 13 March 2012 10:00 – 19:00 Durbanville Town Hall Open invitation
Don’t miss out. Various (green) guest speakers, celebrities, Casa Blanca coffee shop, fashion show, Zibi the recycling ostrich, and much more.