CAPE TOWN–A group of residents staged a peaceful protest on Friday 22 August opposing the construction of a new high school that’s currently being built on Coniston Park.
Approximately 40 residents, representing the Coniston Park Residents and Ratepayers Association (CPRRA), gathered with their placards at 09:00 and vented their frustrations.
The contractors commenced construction on Friday 15 August. This was confirmed by Western Cape Education Department (WCED) spokesperson, Bronagh Hammond.
“The site has been handed over to the contractors and work began on Friday. We are very excited to see the benefits that this school can bring to this community. Schools are a positive contribution and asset to any community. The school will have modern facilities and will provide opportunities for high school learners.
“It is extremely sad that some people allegedly would wish to disrupt or delay progress on the site,” she said. All the necessary approvals, plans and rights are in place for the first phase, which will accommodate 375 learners, Hammond added.
The protesters felt that the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) had “deviated” from their original building specs for the school.
A Municipal Planning Tribunal (MPT) for a Learners with Special Educational Needs (LSEN) school for 375 children took place in May 2023. It was approved in the same month according to the City of Cape Town’s website.
The school was earmarked to be built on Coniston Park, Steenberg, on Erf 124690.
In April, WCED spokesperson Milicent Merton confirmed that the WCED submitted a building plan for the first phase of the high school as per the building regulations which govern state organisations.
“As part of the process to develop a high school on the property, the ratepayers were engaged in the project and have raised concerns which are related to land use approval,” Merton said at the time.
“CPRRA stands with our community in opposing the abrupt shift from a promised special needs school to a mainstream high school on Erf 124690, Coniston Avenue. This decision disregards both the urgent shortage of special needs facilities in the Western Cape and the clear expectation that the initial plan would serve vulnerable children,” said CPRRA vice-chair Keegan Ford.
A fellow resident who protested on the day, Debbie Turner, said the school’s construction may invite criminal elements to the community.
“I just feel the school may bring the wrong element into the area whereas with other high schools you find shooting, gangsterism, drugs and that’s what we don’t want in our area.”
Senior citizen Mandy Jacobs said she fears the high school may dampen the community’s ‘peace and tranquility’.
“We are mostly seniors that live here. This school is not going to serve us any purpose because our children are married already so this school is not going to benefit us at all. Also our residents had no input into the construction of the school. We wanted input because we don’t want the entrance to the school in Coniston Avenue, we suggested the entrance must be from Prince George Drive but they did not take any heed with our suggestions. We as ratepayers are very unhappy and want the powers that be to speak to us.”
Ford feels that the elderly residents in particular are the ones being failed most and ‘stripped of their voice and their dignity.’
“CPRRA remains committed to advocating for accountability, transparency, and meaningful consultation. We call on the Western Cape Education Department, the City of Cape Town, and Subcouncil 18 to urgently restore trust by engaging honestly with Coniston Park and addressing the issues we have repeatedly placed on record.”
The CPRRA have also sought legal representation to represent them and advise on the matter.
People’s Post reached out to Ward 68 Councillor Marita Petersen for comment but she could not respond before the time of publication.
