In this week’s Slice, a tiny movement in Salt River has all but given up on their ward councillor and has decided to forge change by being active citizens. In his latest #SliceofGasant, Gasant Abarder explains why he is getting involved.
Abarder, who recently launched his book, Hack with a Grenade, is among the country’s most influential media voices. Catch his weekly column here, exclusive to Cape {town} Etc.
We hear the phrase all the time – active citizenry. What does it mean and what does it look like? Does it mean voting every five years? Is that where our responsibility begins and ends? We pay rates and taxes. We’re law-abiding citizens… mostly.
So, we thus expect a service for contributing to the city coffers. Do you get what you deserve? If you’re relying on the government, your metropolitan council or ward councillor to deliver, chances are you’re not.
I live in Kenwyn and when I make a noise on social media, the City of Cape Town responds because I get retweeted. In my heart, I am a resident of the Salt River and Woodstock precinct. I love the place. It’s where I grew up and where I still spend time whenever I can. Here, no one listens to the original residents.
I see two Salt Rivers and two Woodstocks. The aesthetic is a thriving economy conducive to small business. But inside the fabric of the community, the sickly sour smell of mandrax reeks and the result of local markets or the massive complexes for student housing have had no impact on the social ills or unemployment in the area.
A tiny organisation called Salt River Celtic Football Club is fighting against the odds for change. Historically, the kids who had the most incredible football skills played for this club. Guys like Shukri Davids, Ebrahim Philander, Omar Jardine and the sons of the Abbas clan – relatives of the legendary footballing brothers Ismail and Sieraaj Abbas.
As a kid, I played for Blackpool FC because I decided I wasn’t good enough to play for Celtic. There wasn’t a real succession plan at Celtic so the club went dormant. But recently, two young men in the area, Rushdi Khan and Tashreeq Isaacs, have revived Celtic.
With my own Woodstock Wanderers Football Club, we’ve forged a mentoring partnership for youth at risk. Before this partnership was even cemented, Celtic donated a large sum towards settling the tuition debt so that a varsity student could graduate. The first in his family with a degree.
Why? You see, if this young man gets his degree it’s a victory for everyone in the community because success breeds success.
This small but significant gesture moved me to help Celtic with a bit of expertise and influence. For months, the grass where the kids train hadn’t been cut. I relentlessly bugged the City for three weeks and last Friday the grass was cut. I made the solemn vow to become the ward councillor’s worst nightmare. It’s a start, but more is needed.
Celtic has adopted the slogan, “Football for change”. They’re intent on building a clubhouse on that B-field – without proper lighting and a fence – to keep out the mandrax users – who smoke just metres away from where 14-year-olds train.
The plan is a multi-purpose centre with facilities for sportswomen with their own cloakrooms; tutors, desks, printers and wifi for kids to do their homework; therapy for the elderly and; a feeding scheme.
Khan and Isaacs take money out of their own pockets because they believe in a higher cause. My tiny role is helping with a strategy to get them there in five years and to liaise with stakeholders, both who ignore this part of the suburb and those who can help.
The work of Mr Khan and Mr Isaacs, dear reader, is active citizenry.
They’re digging deep for solutions. They know for every one good councillor, more are in it for self-interest. They’re tired of asking their councillor Paddy Chapple for help.
My personal observation about the authorities is that they focus on the River Club development and the Biscuit Mill precinct. Those who own property in the guts of Salt River and Woodstock and have long settled their home loans and are tempted with big offers.
They now pay market-related rates – further encouragement to sell up family homes handed down from generation to generation that is located in the heart of the city. It is capitalism at best and gentrification in its worst form.
Work opportunities for communities to look after their own suburbs have dried up too. An outsourced company was dispatched to cut the grass. Before, it was done by a local. The election posters are up and before you make that X in October, think about whether your councillor and your mayor deserve a second chance. Read their manifestos.
When you’ve made your X, the hard work begins of holding them accountable. That is what active citizenry is all about. Getting involved like Messrs Khan and Isaacs because no one is going to do it for you.
#SliceofGasant
Pictures: Supplied