- Young children, some as young as six, are begging at busy Rondebosch intersections during school hours, alarming residents and community workers.
- Financial hardship appears to drive these children to the streets, raising concerns about their safety and well-being.
- Local councillor Mark Kleinschmidt and residents are calling for a coordinated community response to help keep children off the streets and support struggling families.
In Rondebosch, particularly around the intersections of Park and Campground roads and Klipfontein Road and the M5, a disturbing trend has emerged: primary school children, some as young as six, are begging for money during weekday afternoons.
Community workers and residents are alarmed by the risks these children take weaving through busy traffic to solicit donations.
“It’s shocking to see children putting themselves in harm’s way,” community worker Dawn Hillman said. “When I ask why they’re not in school, some respond with attitude, which indicates underlying challenges.”
Local resident Lisa Bourne believes that financial hardship drives these children to the streets. “Their parents are struggling, and these kids are hungry. Begging becomes a desperate means of survival,” she noted.
Residents are now calling for urgent action to address this issue. Hillman emphasises that coordinated efforts from local organisations, schools and government agencies are essential.
“These children deserve better. They need access to education and support systems,” she stresses.
Donate to organisations
Ward 60 councillor Mark Kleinschmidt supports the view that children should not be begging at intersections, aligning with the City of Cape Town’s Give Dignity policy, which advises residents to support local charities or NGOs instead.
“Nobody, children or adults, should beg at intersections. Our policy encourages residents to donate to organisations that can provide structured support,” he says.
Kleinschmidt highlights that his ward already supports organisations like OWL Haven Shelter, Margaret’s House for Boys and Rosedon House for Cerebral Palsy residents.
Several municipal initiatives focus on social upliftment for vulnerable groups. “The City’s Social Development Directorate organises programmes for youth, seniors, and women under the Women for Change initiative,” explains Kleinschmidt.
The City also employs vulnerable individuals through the EPWP and Jobseekers programme, helping to alleviate poverty and provide work opportunities, particularly around the MyCiTi Rapid Bus developments.
To further address child begging, Kleinschmidt notes that parenting skills programmes are offered and Early Childhood Development (ECD) initiatives, like Little Paradise ECD, are actively supported through partnerships with local forums. He stresses the importance of education in breaking the cycle of poverty, saying “children must be in school, and education is key to combating issues like drug addiction and poverty.”
Communities are encouraged to help by raising awareness and supporting vulnerable families to keep their children in school.
Kleinschmidt emphasises that it is a shared responsibility to protect the youth, suggesting that law enforcement and community involvement are vital in closing down drug dens and ensuring children’s safety.
As the Rondebosch community rallies to find solutions, a collaborative approach could foster a safer environment for these children.
