Greening the Cape Flats: A Community’s Stand for Change

Mitchell’s Plain, a suburb on Cape Town’s Cape Flats, has historically struggled with elevated crime levels and widespread gang-related violence. Ranking fourth nationally as one of the areas with the highest crime rate with 1887 cases of serious crimes, with most crimes being gang-related.   

This persistent violence has left deep scars on the community. Conversations about shootings, drug activity, or gang-related incidents are common, creating an atmosphere of fear and instability. The most vulnerable are often the youth, many of whom are drawn into gangs or drug dealing, seeing no alternative path in a system that has failed them. Every corner of Mitchell’s Plain tells a story, some carved in grief, others in resilience. Behind every crime stat is a family sitting at a dinner table with an empty chair. A mother who waits for her son to come home, but deep down knows he won’t. A child who grows up learning to hit the ground at the sound of a bang, not a drum. These are not just numbers. These are lives. Shattered, stolen, silenced. As a result, individuals are frequently judged not by their character or potential, but by the area they come from.  

However, it’s not just the crime statistics that damage Mitchell’s Plain’s reputation, it’s the relentless focus on the negative. Media coverage and word of mouth often spotlight the violence, causing outsiders to view the area with fear and suspicion, further deepening its stigma. What’s often overlooked is the resilience and spirit of the people who call Mitchell’s Plain home. Beyond the headlines lies a community filled with talented, driven, and hardworking individuals, people who uplift one another and are actively working to create a safer, brighter future for their children. Despite the challenges, there’s a powerful movement within Mitchell’s Plain to foster change, hope, and opportunity. 

Green Fingers Project: Breathing Life Back into Trafalgar Park  

Nestled in the heart of Portlands, Mitchell’s Plain, Trafalgar Park has experienced a heartwarming transformation, thanks to the passion and perseverance of local resident Fazly Hendricks. What was once a barren sand patch with dried grass and little life is now a flourishing green space teeming with nature, joy, and community spirit, all because of one inspiring initiative: The Green Fingers Project. 

From Dust to Oasis 

Two years ago, Fazly looked around his local park and felt something had to change. The space was run-down, uninviting, and forgotten. Instead of walking away, he rolled up his sleeves and got to work. With a vision of hope and healing, he, alongside the youth and other members of the community, began planting trees and greenery, slowly transforming the lifeless area into a lively and welcoming urban garden.  Using recycled materials creatively throughout the park, Fazly emphasized sustainability as a key value of the project. Today, Trafalgar Park is home not just to plants and trees but to a variety of animals as well, including rabbits, geese, ducks, a tortoise, a horse, and many others, bringing smiles and excitement to visitors of all ages.

Empowering the Youth 

One of the most powerful aspects of the Green Fingers Project is its focus on the youth. Fazly regularly involves young people from the community in the upkeep and development of the park. In doing so, they learn practical skills, develop a sense of responsibility, and stay off the streets, creating a ripple effect of positive impact that spreads throughout the neighborhood. 

Easter Fun and Community Unity 

On Sunday, 20th April, the park came alive with laughter, games, and joy during the project’s Easter Egg Hunt, a community event that truly showcased what the Green Fingers Project is all about. Children participated in fun games like tug of war, and of course, the Easter egg hunt itself, which was a huge hit. Every child went home with Easter eggs, and families enjoyed free food and drinks generously provided by the organizers. 

It was a day filled with connection, laughter, and love, a beautiful reminder of the power of community when people come together with a shared purpose. 

Looking Ahead 

The Green Fingers Project is more than just a garden, it's a growing movement of hope, education, and unity. Fazly and his team dream of hosting more community gatherings like the Easter event, aiming to create a safer, stronger, and more vibrant Mitchell’s Plain. 

With continued support from locals and organizations, there’s no telling how far this grassroots project can grow.