Hangberg residents fuming as Youth Day event gets cancelled

What was meant to be a fun-filled Youth Day celebration in Hangberg ended in disappointment after the event was cancelled.

Community organisers had planned a series of events aimed at uplifting the youth, hoping to inspire and engage the younger generation.

However, a significant oversight resulted in the cancellation of the event, leaving hundreds of children disheartened and without the opportunity to participate in the activities they had eagerly awaited.

Community activist and Hangberg resident, Roscoe Jacobs, expressed his frustration after the community-driven programme, set to span three days at the Hangberg Sports Centre, was cancelled.

Organisers had taken the necessary steps to request permission from the City of Cape Town back in May, only to discover, as the event drew near, that the venue had not been booked. 

Mr Jacobs said: "This decision is a blatant disregard for the needs of young people in our community and a serious obstruction to grassroots efforts aimed at promoting positive youth development."

He added that denying access to a public facility only worsened the ongoing issues of gangsterism and crime in historically marginalised communities.

A resident who asked not to be named said he agreed with Mr Jacobs that many children felt let down upon hearing of the event's cancellation.

"Teams were meant to play, there were groups meant to perform. Of course, it is going to be disappointing for them. There were hardly any events planned in Hout Bay this year, and now this one has also been cancelled," the resident said.

Efforts to reach Ward Councillor Roberto Quintas for comment proved unsuccessful as he was reportedly out of the country at the time.

The frustration for Mr Jacobs extended beyond the logistical failures; he mentioned that private sponsors had shown interest in supporting the event, only to be turned away at the last moment.

"Their commitment to community development and youth empowerment is a shining example of what responsible partnerships can achieve, even in the face of municipal neglect," Mr Jacobs said.

Among the affected were two young dancers, 18-year-olds Samantha Vollmer and Rafeeqa Collins, both of whom were hopeful participants in the festivities.

Currently navigating their transition from Hout Bay High School, the duo described the lack of Youth Day events in their region as "shocking."

Ms Vollmer said: "Hangberg already doesn't have much going, especially for the youth in the community. So when things like this happen, a lot of kids lose hope, and they would rather turn to the streets where things can happen."

Ms Collins said: "We don't also have much people thinking about these things, and when this happens, the people that are doing it for the youth, they eventually give up."

Sentinel News has seen email communications between Mr Jacobs and Ward Councillor Rob Quintas about the event.

However, Mr Quintas could not be reached via WhatsApp. An automated message informed Sentinel News that he was abroad on official City business. His response will be added once he is contactable.