In my hood everyone is like a family. My parents chose to live in Khayelitsha for their children and the next generation. I have been through many things in my hood. My community is quite supporting. I am proud to call Town Two Ikasi lam (my hood). In my hood we are like brothers and sisters, even if you are an outsider we will treat you with respect.

The community leaders also make sure that people are satisfied. When a crime is committed by a thief that is well known, we do not violet his or her rights. For the safety of children, we just call the police to do their job, but first we call safety volunteers to see what damage the thief has done, so that people do not take the law into their hands. When the thief is back from jail the social workers deal with them so that they can go to counseling. They will then hopefully be able to tell their stories or they can work as volunteers and clean in the nearest schools or halls. This way they’ll be able to learn from their mistakes.

My hood is the coolest hood that anyone can live in. That’s what makes me feel at home. Most of the time I like to skim [chill] with amajit’asekasi (boys in my hood). They don’t mind and I feel safe when I am with them. Ekasi when you are doing Imbadla (party) you must first confirm with the street committee so that they will get you a safety team for your party, so that they can deal with the intruders. In instances where someone may come to your party drunk and cause a scene.

In my hood we are very supportive and you feel at home with so much laughter and fun. My hood is a home; even if you are an outsider we welcome you as one of us. At home we treat each other with love and we care for each other.

The counselor organizes the nearest organizations to do the holiday trips so that children can be safe when the schools are closed. Last year, during the June school holidays, many children were murdered and that happened when they were playing outside or in the street. That hurt the community very much and the children’s family and friends mourned their deaths.

In my hood there have been many things that have happened, but I never lose hope that one day it will change into something better. To be safe in your community it doesn’t mean you must live with white people or to stay in the suburbs. Everyone can change their situation, even if it is hard and some people think it cannot be changed, but if you tell yourself I will change the situation.

In my hood I think I am safe and I am proud to say that I think one day I will change the bad situation ekasi. The people in my hood are supportive and they even make me feel safer. There are some issues that also make people feel unsafe such as when some boys smoke tik.

The community members also try their best to make them feel safe and to not feel abandoned by the community. The community must donate money and clothes because the others are Amapharaphara (hobos or thieves). If they do this then everyone will be happy and crime will decrease. Feeling at home is when you feel safe and happy with the people you’re living with.