Capetonians March for Jobs, Safety, and Water Access

Residents of Vrygrond’s Xakabantu informal settlement took to the streets on Friday, demanding urgent action on jobs, safety, and essential services. Approximately 70 people participated in the march organized under the Back To Work Campaign (B2WC), proceeding along Vrygrond Avenue to the intersection of Prince George Drive.

Voices from the March for Jobs

The protest highlighted the severe unemployment crisis. Wendy Nitscki, a 50-year-old resident, shared her struggle. She lost her job five years ago due to a temporary medical condition and has been unable to find work since. “I am willing to do any type of work, even if I sweep the street,” Nitscki stated. Her large family survives solely on her elderly father’s pension and her sister’s disability grant, as no one in the household is employed.

Before the march, a community dialogue allowed residents to voice their frustrations. Many filled out the City of Cape Town’s jobseeker forms, though skepticism was high. One unemployed mother of three expressed her disillusionment, saying she had lost count of the number of forms she had submitted without any result. Some residents even alleged that bribery was a common method to secure the limited available jobs.

Demands for Safety and Basic Services

As detailed in the complete version, there are several key factors to consider.

The community submitted memorandums to Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and the South African Police Service (SAPS). They highlighted that only a small fraction of the community benefits from the short-term, insecure contracts of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP).

The memorandums also detailed critical service delivery failures. Residents of Xakabantu lack permanent water infrastructure and rely on sporadic water truck deliveries. Furthermore, the community is plagued by escalating gang violence, a situation that has worsened since the local Vrygrond Neighbourhood Watch ceased patrols due to a lack of funding. The community is now formally requesting that SAPS recognize and properly register the watch to help restore safety.

Frustrated by years of inaction, the Vrygrond community has vowed to continue its protests in the coming weeks. They are determined to be heard and are demanding tangible solutions for jobs, safety, and water.