Ricardo Koopman, chairman of Ricardo’s Modern Dance Studio, Hangberg.

This is a plea for the City of Cape Town to invest in building a community art centre that uplifts the youth in Hout Bay.

As a dance educator and facilitator, I've witnessed first-hand the transformative power of art in the lives of our children.

Yet, despite my repeated requests, our kids in Hout Bay Harbour remain deprived of a safe and dedicated space to express themselves.

We need a safe haven for our children in Hangberg.

The harsh reality is that our kids are exposed to drugs, alcohol, and other harmful influences on the streets on a daily basis.

Even the Hangberg multi-purpose sport centre, where they should be able to learn and grow, is often littered with broken glass, cigarette butts, and condoms.

This is unacceptable. I propose the establishment of a state-of-the-art art centre, equipped with two dance studios, a music studio, a visual arts studio, a pottery studio, a drama studio, cooking lessons, a stage for performances, secure change rooms and storage for costumes and props.

There should also be a reception area with authorised access.

During the Apartheid era, our community suffered greatly.

It's time for our voices to be heard and for our children to receive the opportunities they deserve.

We will no longer settle for second-best.

This is a call to action, and I urge the community to join me in advocating for an art centre in Hout Bay Harbour.

Let us work together to create a safe, inspiring, and inclusive space for our children to thrive.

Thank you for your attention to this critical matter.

Mayoral committee member for community service and health Francine Higham responds:

“There are existing facilities and programmes in the area, including the multi-purpose centre. Should residents have suggestions or requests for specific facilities and/or different programmes, they can approach their ward councillors and/or sub-councils as well as recreation-and-parks and arts-and-culture branch officials.

The City does as much as possible with limited budget and has taken the recreation needs of all residents into account. We encourage the community to take ownership of facilities and blow the whistle on those who litter and vandalise facilities.