Cape Flats school builds massive wall to shield students from gang violence
Levana Primary School is keeping its students safe from gang violence with a six-metre barrier wall.
Picture: Paylessimages/123rf.com
CapeTalk’s Clarence Ford speaks with Jodie Martin of the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business.
Listen below:
Many schools in the Cape Flats have been plagued by gang violence, and Levana Primary School in Cape Town’s Lavender Hill was no exception.
That was until they erected a 3.2m x 6m wall around the school, transforming it into a haven for over 1000 children.
Principal Shamiegh Charity had a dream to build a wall high enough to block out gunfire from nearby rooftops after a traumatic shooting incident.
She managed to raise R7.9 million from donors for its construction.
Since the wall was built in 2022, the gang violence has not encroached on the school property.
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Charity received training from the Principals Academy Trust, which aims to empower leaders to transform marginalised schools.
“There are many similar stories like Shamiegh, but it is just a snapshot of the business model, the entrepreneurial skills we have instilled in principals.
- Jodie Martin, Graduate School of Business - UCT
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