Road Insights From Primary School Learners

Last week Friday, 6 June 2025, primary school learners from across Cape Town gathered at the DHL Stadium to caucus on matters pertaining to roads; from leading causes of accidents to road safety precautions, errant driver behaviour and more. Learners expressed their sentiments with poems and prepared speeches as part of the City of Cape Town’s Urban Mobility directorate, South African Road Federation (SARF) and Western Cape Education Department (WCED) first ever Poetry and Prepared Speech competition for primary schools.

‘If these learners are an indication of the future that lies ahead then I can comfortably say I have hope. It is assuring to have heard that the young people showed such clarity of thought on recurring urban mobility challenges. The winner of the prepared speech category, Emily George, put it aptly when saying ‘road safety is everyone’s responsibility. In just a few seconds a road accident can change lives forever’. I was told that the learners showed great insights on how to prevent accidents and spare families the devastation of loss on our roads. May we be more mindful and hear our kids’ views on these matters,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas.

‘This event was proof that one can never be too young to learn about road safety and become an ambassador, not only for road safety, but at home, at school and in their communities too. I was quite proud to see these learners in action and the City looks forward to building on this initiative in the years to come,’ said the City’s Director for Roads Infrastructure Management, Hilton Scholtz.

The poetry and prepared speech competition, led by SARF, sought to bring road safety education to life by engaging learners creatively and meaningfully. The competition is open to Grade 2 to Grade 7 learners from all WCED primary schools.

The top 3 in the Prepared Speech category (Grade 4 to 7):

• 1st Place: Emily George (Van Der Ross Primary School)
• 2nd Place: Blair Davids (Northwood Primary School)
• 3rd Place: Sophie Walter (Durbanville Primary School)

The top 3 in the Poetry category (Grade 2 and 3):

• 1st Place: Rahmah Ariefdien (Vrijzee Preparatory School)
• 2nd Place: Isabella Davids (Imperial Primary School)
• 3rd Place: Summer Ray Moses (Huguenot Primary School)

‘The oversight committee is proud of the City’s partnership with the Southern African Roads Federation and the Western Cape Education Department to grow residents of all ages to become community ambassadors for road safety. It was inspiring to see the excitement on the young learners’ faces as some of their contributions were chosen as the best in Cape Town,’ concluded Portfolio Committee Chair, Councillor Mikhail Manuel.