Senior citizens protest against new school construction in Coniston Park
While the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has expressed optimism over the construction of a new school in Coniston Park, Steenberg, a group of residents staged a protest on Friday morning against the development.
The school, which is set to accommodate approximately 375 high school learners, will include modern facilities. According to the WCED, the first phase of construction is expected to be completed in the last quarter of 2026.
WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond confirmed that the department had secured the necessary approvals and that development was already underway.
“The necessary approvals were obtained by WCED while the City of Cape Town granted the land use and building plan approval as per its Municipal by-laws. We are very excited to see the benefits that this school can bring to this community. Schools are a positive contribution and asset to any community,” Hammond said.
However, many residents remain opposed, saying their concerns were ignored during earlier public participation processes. According to them, close to 90% of locals had voted against the school’s development earlier this year.
The residents at the protest, all over 60-years-old, said they weren’t even informed that the construction would go ahead and were alerted when they heard sounds of excavators in the area.
Bahjat Andrad, 68, who has lived in Coniston Park for four decades, said the community valued peace and quiet above all else.
“We have been living here for 40 years, most of us. We don’t need a school – we are all pensioners, our children don’t need a school because they moved. Now the WCED wants to disturb our peace? When we asked for a school years ago, our requests were ignored,” Andrade said.
She added that their frustrations also go beyond just their peace and quiet.
“Why is the WCED not looking at areas like Lavender Hill where the schools are needed? Now the kids will have to walk across a very busy road and through unsafe parts of the area to attend school here.”
Another resident, Derick Muller, 69, said the land – part of a wetland – could have been used differently.
“We wanted it to be developed into a recreational park or garden, like Green Point Park, where pensioners could also benefit. There’s a beautiful bird sanctuary right here that could have tied in. We built up this community and grew as a family, now we are faced with this.”
Concerns about traffic were also raised. Mandy Jacobs (61), who moved to Coniston Park two decades ago, said the school would increase congestion.
“That means the road will be filled with taxis from early mornings, cars up and down. Then we cannot even enjoy a nice peaceful walk.”
Supporting the seniors, resident Nadia Ford questioned whether the development was truly needed.
“To some this protest may seem small and unnecessary, but one must remember Coniston Park means a lot to these residents. Who is the WCED building this school for? There is no need for it from the immediate community. What happened to protecting the peace and quiet of the elderly?”
tracy-lynn.ruiters@inl.co.za