On 26 July 2022, the Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works (DTPW) will be launching a new Junior Traffic Training Centre (JTTC) at Sakumlandela Primary School in Bangiso Drive in Khayelitsha. The launch will be conducted in partnership with the Western Cape Education Department, Childsafe, and the City of Cape Town. Learners from UMMangaliso, Ikhusi, Intwasahlobo, and Sobambisana Primary Schools will also attend the event. The JTTC at Sakumlandela Primary is part of Childsafe’s Walking Safely to School (WATCH) Project.
Approximately 6 700 learners from these schools and from Usasazo High School walk to school along Bangiso Drive every day. Safety hazards facing learners along this road include:
- Inadequate pedestrian infrastructure (a lack of pedestrian crossings and too few sidewalks);
- Drains leaking onto the road which puts pedestrians in danger as cars veer off the road to avoid obstacles;
- High traffic volumes, both vehicles and pedestrians;
- Many public transport vehicles; and
- The presence of informal traders on the sidewalks, which means learners have to walk in the road in places.
JTTCs are implemented by the DTPW Directorate Road Safety Management (RSM) on behalf of the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC). The target group is children aged six to 10 years. The aim is to teach primary school learners good safety habits using a play environment in which they are not exposed to real-life traffic hazards.
JTTCs can also be established at places where communities have free access, such as Clinics, and Thusong and community centres. RSM will supply the paint, brushes, mini road signs and other equipment needed once a request for the establishment of a JTTC has been approved. RSM works closely with the local traffic authority, in this case, the City of Cape Town. Traffic authorities are largely responsible for providing road safety education and training at JTCCs.
Details are as follows:
Date: Tuesday, 26 July 2022
Time: 10:00 – 11:00
Venue: Sakumlandela Primary School, Khayelitsha
Members of the media wishing to attend are kindly requested to RSVP to Nokuzola.Letselebe@westerncape.gov.za by Monday, 25 July 2022
There will be opportunities for media interviews and photographs.
More information
Nokuzola Letselebe – Assistant Director: RSM
Tel. 078 318 4031
Email: Nokuzola.Letselebe@westerncape.gov.za