The City handed over certificates and commendations to winners in 10 categories, including Neighbourhood Watch group of the year and member of the year.
The City of Cape Town celebrated Neighbourhood Watch members at its annual Neighbourhood Watch Awards ceremony today.
The annual event was sensitive to COVID-19 regulations, with two representatives physically attending from nominated NWs, and their colleagues following proceedings online. While it is always enjoyable to meet one another in person and enjoy the festivities of a gathering of NWs, the City prioritises the safety and health of its NWs and encourages the innovation of allowing members to join online.
The awards ceremony is an opportunity to recognise the work of community crime fighters through nominations from the public.
This year, the adjudication panel decided on the following recipients:
| CATEGORY | RECIPIENT/S |
| NW Group of the Year | U Watch Neighbourhood Watch, Woodstock
|
| Broken Windows Award | Fern Park Neighbourhood Watch, Brackenfell
|
| Social Responsibility Award | New Horizon, Pelican Park
|
| Courage in Action Group Award | New Horizon, Pelican Park
|
| NW Member of the Year (tied) | Paul Kruger, PWP PanoramaKleinbosch Welgelegen Plattekloof (PWP)
Theo Gallaway, Chrismar, Bellville
|
| Organisational Excellence | Vic Barra, Monte Vista
|
| Mobiliser of the Year | Shakir Smith, Parow West
|
| Inspiration of the Year
|
Elizabeth Maans, Fisantekraal |
| Crime Fighter of the Year | Sharl Stander, Morgenster St. Michaels
|
| Courage in Action Award
|
Saadiqah Ganief, New Horizon, Pelican Park |
‘The City of Cape Town is particularly proud of the well-oiled machine that our Neighbourhood Watches (NWs) have become. I am proud to be associated with the hundreds of volunteers who exhibit care, dedication and innovation in serving their communities and I stand behind them 100% in their efforts to make Cape Town safe for us all. Our NWs understand the importance of active citizenship and exercise this daily through their selfless volunteer initiatives, all in the name of safety.
‘The individual and group nominations were inspiring in demonstrating the transformative work that our NWs are doing. Be it a whistle blower campaign in Pelican Park and Grassy Park, coordinating WhatsApp group crime communication in Woodstock and surrounds or patrolling for hundreds of hours per month in Monte Vista, our Neighbourhood Watches are doing outstanding work and the City will continue to show our support to communities through training and providing equipment. While the City’s awards are specifically aimed at accredited NWs, we acknowledge the work done by those NWs who are in the process of receiving accreditation from the Department of Community Safety. I want you to know that the City supports the work you do and that it is because of individuals and teams like you, that together we can make progress possible,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.