Chairman of Athlone central improvement district, Mr Adam Essa
Board members
Senior superintendent, Sandile Sonjani
Members of Athlone Central Improvement district
Members of the public
Thank you for the opportunity to address the Athlone central improvement district on their annual general meeting. I want to address the importance of partnerships in the fight against crime, but also acknowledge the tremendous work that this organisation has rendered since 2007 to the business and broader community of Athlone.
Ladies and gentlemen, I have looked at the most recent crime statistics for the Athlone precinct and discovered theft to be a huge problem in this area. It shows that criminals prey at their leisure on a myriad of opportunities laying their wicked claws on the assets and money of the broader Athlone community.
- Theft from motor vehicles averages: 750 cases per annum
- All other theft averages: 1 451 cases per annum
- Shoplifting has increased from a mere 52 cases during 2003 to 2004 to a staggering 844 cases during 2008 to 2009
- Drug related crimes for the past three years respectively were 498, 455 and 519.
Ladies and gentlemen, when crime statistics are more finely interpreted it shows that certain crimes, like business robberies, are also displaced to the Western Cape from other provinces. We cannot afford to attract crime from other provinces, nor can the Athlone community afford that criminal activities from neighbouring towns migrate to this area. Recently joint operations between South African police Service (SAPS) and Metro Police were executed in your adjacent neighbourhoods of Bokmakierie and Kewtown to curb the threats of gang activities. These lock down efforts paid off and considerable amounts of illegal substances as well as illegal weapons were confiscated.
Ladies and gentlemen, we need to make our communities unattractive to criminals. Criminals are, unlike ordinary business people, cunning, ruthless and leave in the wake of their activities only fear and uncertainty. A notable difference between business people and criminals is that the global economic down turn do not affect their business. This is not good for securing investments as we need not really have to work harder but rather smarter so that investors can recognise good business opportunities in this district.
Ladies and gentlemen, it is my mandate to ensure that the Western Cape is safer for all its citizens. I know that a safer province will generate greater confidence and in turn will attract increased and much needed investments. To achieve this, business must have strong and sustainable partnerships with government, police, security companies, community groups, non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
In less than 183 days (correct for today, 9 December) one of the biggest spectacles the country has ever seen, the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup tournament, will commence within our borders. Until then, more has still to be done to make our communities safer and draw more investors as this event will generate an income of millions as well bringing thousand of visitors to our country. As the country prepares for this dream event on a big scale so, on a smaller but similar scale, the Athlone district is preparing for its own dream when a world of improvements and opportunities will come to the area.
Ladies and gentlemen, this dream (vision) of a crime free Athlone district is not far-fetched. In Cape Town central district, crime was reduced by a considerable margin through effective programmes like the central improvement district. SAPS, Metro Police central improvement district and traffic have worked together and have achieved great successes. By clamping down on minor crimes the occurrence of bigger crimes has considerably been reduced.
In June I met with Mr Kevin Roman, chairman of the Western Cape branch of the South African Council of Shopping Malls, after a spate of mall robberies. We agreed that malls need to step up security and that police will assist by increased sector patrols. Recently I attended a meeting with Mr Roman, management of shopping centres as well as representatives of cash carriers on the preparedness of shopping centres for the festive season.
I was pleasantly surprised at the innovative and strong strategies that the shopping centre fraternity devised to effectively safeguard their patrons against the threats of criminal elements. I also met separately with business in the Cape Winelands, West Coast, Cape Metro, Eden and Karoo to hear from them how we can tackle crime as a team. I came to the conclusion that the fight against crime will never be won when we tackle the crime dragon individually. We need strong, effective and sustainable partnerships and also the buy-in of the entire community.
Ladies and gentlemen, I am encouraged by the achievements of your central improvement district. You have excelled in many areas where your biggest opponents would have liked you to fail. History will judge you to be worthy of your fight against crime. You have made crime fighting your business.
Ladies and gentlemen, fighting crime has come at a hefty price, but you are in the process determining the biggest prize of all; a crime free district where patrons and shoppers can enjoy a pleasant shopping experience. I am told that the Athlone central district is the first city improvement district in a previously disadvantaged area in the city of Cape Town as well South Africa.
I acquainted myself on your vision and mission and was struck by the sincerity and efficient manner in which you have embarked on the challenge to improve the central business district of Athlone. This is indeed not a simple task and at times it may seem like you are fighting a dragon with many heads. It is my belief that you don’t have to kill this threat with one blow, neither do you have to do it all by yourself.
Your work and progress thus far reminded me of the wise words of an American businessman, W Clement Stone, who once stated: “When you discover your mission, you will feel its demand. It will fill you with enthusiasm and a burning desire to get to work on it”. I want to congratulate the board on a challenge effectively tackled and a job well done. As a partner of the Department of Community safety, you have my unequivocal support in establishing a prosperous business precinct, free of the fear of crime.
In conclusion, your work here in Athlone will add value to the work of other communities and also help to improve the safety barometer in the Western Cape in general. Your sincere efforts are reminiscent of the wise words of Vince Lombardi: “Individual commitment to a group effort; that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilisation work”.
I thank you.
