I am pleased to have hosted 1 700 members during a Back-to-School Walking Bus event held at the start of every school year to wish them well for the year ahead.
The success of the Walking Bus has been the dedication and commitment of our members to ensure the safety of our children. This simple act of walking with learners helps to get them to school safely and affords them the opportunity to receive an education. This is the most meaningful way of protecting these future leaders who could become doctors, lawyers, artists, musicians, sportspersons and so much more.
The Walking Bus began as a voluntary service and a safety initiative nearly four years ago and is now currently operating in 56 areas in the Metro with over 1 700 members. These members walk children from their area to school each morning and back home in the afternoons.
Members received their new bibs and other equipment which will enable them to carry out their duties effectively. Members who have also gone through security and first-aid training received their qualifying certificates at the event.
In October last year, the project was launched in the City of Cape Town after being moved from the Western Cape Government. In May 2016, when I was MEC for Community Safety, we launched this important initiative. We saw the positive impact of this project and formulated plans to move it to the City to continue the good work in helping to keep our children safe.
Making our communities safer requires everyone to be involved and we are pleased that so many community members have shown an interest in being part of this project. The Walking Bus campaign has seen thousands of parents become volunteers. Since October, members are being paid a stipend by the City of Cape Town under the auspices of the EPWP programme.