Andries Ockert de Swardt writes:
The story of the young boy who was arrested after riding his motorcycle has really made me angry - not because I believe anyone should break the law, but because we need to ask a much bigger question: Where are our children supposed to go?
We tell our young people what they are NOT allowed to do, but what are we actually giving them to do?
Where is the proper motorcycle facility?
Where are the skate parks?
Where are the basketball courts?
Where are the youth centres?
Where are the safe recreational spaces where young people can spend their time, develop their talents and enjoy themselves?
And then we wonder why some of our youth end up on the streets, involved in drugs, crime and other destructive activities.
You cannot neglect a generation and then blame that generation for the consequences.
To the George Municipality, the municipal manager, the mayor and the DA leadership: Your responsibility is not only to build impressive projects and put up nice signs and posters.
Your responsibility is to build a municipality that works for its people - INCLUDING ITS CHILDREN.
Millions can apparently be found for certain prestige projects and facilities, yet when parents ask for basic recreational facilities for their children, suddenly there is no money, no land and no plan.
That is not good enough.
I am not against development. I am against wrong priorities.
If George has the resources to invest heavily in certain facilities, then surely we can find suitable municipal land and a proper budget for youth development as well.
And please don't tell our young people simply to "obey the law" when you have failed to provide reasonable, safe and legal alternatives.
Give the motorcycle riders a proper place.
Give the skateboarders somewhere to skate.
Give our basketball players courts.
Give our children sports facilities.
Give our youth centres where they can learn, train and grow.
Give them something positive to do.
Because every rand spent developing our children is an investment in George's future.
And this is where the bigger political question comes in.
For years, we have been told that the DA knows how to govern, that the Western Cape is different and that municipalities should work for everyone.
Then prove it in George.
Don't just tell us you're working for the people - show us where our children fit into your priorities.
From the perspective of Cape Action/Cape Independence, I believe we need a completely different approach: one where decisions are made closer to the people, where communities have a stronger voice, and where our children are treated as an investment rather than an inconvenience.
The argument about the billions in tax revenue leaving the Western Cape and what comes back must also be part of this conversation. Our movement believes that if more of the money generated in the Cape stayed here, we could invest far more in schools, hospitals, policing, infrastructure, sport and youth development. Those figures are a political argument that should be openly debated, not simply accepted without scrutiny.
But today, I want to focus on one thing: our children.
To the mother of that boy - I hear your frustration.
To your son - I hope this experience does not destroy your passion. I hope it motivates people in power to finally create a proper place where young people like you can enjoy your sport safely and legally.
And to the politicians running George: Stop looking down at our youth.
Stop asking only what our children are doing wrong.
Start asking: What have we done for them?
Our youth are not the enemy.
They are our future. George can do better.
And if the current political leadership won't do it, then perhaps it is time for the people of George to start asking whether they need different leadership with different priorities.
Enough slogans. Enough excuses.
Build for our children. Our children deserve better. George deserves better.
