Once a community space for laughter and play, Baba Park in Mfuleni now exposes children to dangerous waste and neglect. Image: Supplied / Right to Play Campaign
(The Post News)- Children playing in Baba Park, Mfuleni, face more than just fun and games; they are surrounded by dangerous waste, including discarded household items, used nappies, and animal remains. What should be a safe and joyful space for play has instead become a health and safety concern.
The Right to Play Campaign is calling on the city to take immediate and meaningful steps to ensure that parks like this are made safe, clean, and accessible. In many working-class and underserved areas, children are left without access to safe recreational spaces, places that are essential for their health, well-being, and development. These parks are not a privilege; they are a vital necessity every child deserves.
Located about 32 kilometres from Cape Town’s city centre, the township of Mfuleni is home to Baba Park, a space that reflects the long-standing neglect of public facilities in marginalised communities.
According to a July report by Daily Maverick, young children were seen playing among piles of waste, including used nappies, rusted mattress springs, plastic debris, and even animal carcasses. The park’s playground equipment was reportedly in poor condition, with the swing set left bare, its swings missing, and only a corroded frame remaining.
“All governments must ensure that they implement the right to play. It cuts across a lot of things that kids should be exposed to, in terms of culture, art, recreation,” Swartbooi emphasized.
The Movement for Care is a grassroots organisation dedicated to tackling systemic inequalities long-standing, ingrained issues affecting access to resources and opportunities in the City of Cape Town.
Meanwhile, the Right to Play Campaign draws attention to the urgent need for safe, accessible, and inclusive public play areas, especially for children in under-resourced, historically overlooked working-class communities, as highlighted by Swartbooi.
According to Daily Maverick, community leader Dlamini Benya from Mfuleni recalled that when Baba Park was created nearly ten years ago, it was a valued space for the community, offering areas for picnics and outdoor activities.
He pointed out that Baba Park has gradually become a hazardous environment for children, largely due to ongoing illegal dumping and the park being used by individuals engaging in drinking and smoking.
Benya expressed frustration over the lack of upkeep, stating that the city established the park but then neglected it entirely. Community leaders have raised concerns with city officials about the park’s issues but have not witnessed any meaningful response or intervention so far.
He hopes for fencing and security measures at the park to enhance safety and access control for the community’s children, noting that despite ongoing efforts, they are still waiting for change.
On 18 July, the Movement for Care formally appealed to Councillor Francine Higham, who oversees Community Services and Health on Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee, urging her to take swift action to tackle the challenges facing Baba Park and other playgrounds in Mfuleni.
Higham has acknowledged receipt of the open letter from the Right to Play Campaign and indicated that her office will provide an official response in due course, as reported by Daily Maverick.
Higham stated that the City of Cape Town’s Recreation and Parks Department is aware of the persistent issues at Baba Park and has been working alongside Solid Waste Management, law enforcement, ward councillors, and local community members to implement response strategies.
She revealed that the City of Cape Town has set aside approximately R159 million for the upkeep of parks across the city, covering regular tasks like mowing, litter removal, infrastructure repairs, and landscaping.
Of this amount, R5 million is specifically designated for maintaining the 18 parks located in Mfuleni. However, despite this funding, Baba Park remains neglected, illustrating the ongoing challenges posed by illegal dumping, vandalism, and encroachment.
Although Mfuleni still has 18 parks, several of them may seem difficult to access because of these persistent problems.
Community members remain hopeful that with increased attention and resources, children in Mfuleni will soon enjoy safe, clean spaces to play and grow.
Please share your thoughts contact Thembeka via email: journalist-thembeka@thepostnews.net
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