Cape youths are using the name of slain bride Anni Dewani to change perceptions about townships.
|||Cape Town - Several Western Cape residents are using the name of slain bride Anni Dewani to change the perception that townships are a breeding ground for criminals.
The Anni Dewani Driving School was born to give underprivileged youngsters an additional skill to boost their chances of finding jobs.
They offer their services for free.
And in the three months since they launched, they have taught scores of youngsters and adults to pass their learner’s test.
The project has branches in Makhaya, Harare, and Site B in Khayelitsha.
They offer classes three times a day for an hour. Six hundred learners are already registered and are attending classes daily from Monday to Saturday.
Project co-ordinator Bukiwe Maphapha says that the project was initially aimed at unemployed youth who couldn’t find a job because they didn’t have a driver’s licence.
“But we also felt unemployed adults have the same problem and needed help,” said Bukiwe.
“Our community is unemployed and parents can’t afford to pay for driving schools.
“Some have just finished school but they must have a driver’s licence to find a job.
“There are also parents who can’t find a job because they don’t have a licence.”
New bride Anni was shot and killed in an apparent fake hijacking in Ilitha Park on November 14, 2010.
Taxi driver Zola Tongo admitted to having a hand in her murder and is serving an 18-year sentence .
His co-accused Mziwamadoda Qwabe, was convicted and sentenced to 25 years, and a third accused, Xolile Mgeni is serving life for her murder.
Anni’s husband Shrien Dewani is currently still in the UK battling to avoid extradition to South Africa to face a charge for her murder.
Anni’s death caused an international stir and added to the impression that South Africa is a lawless country where an assassin can be found on any township street.
The Daily Voice visited one of the school’s branches in Harare, where about 30 learners attended a class inside a church building.
And outside the classroom there were 70 new recruits who came to register.
Learner Zandile Hans says that she has been struggling to raise money to pay for a driving school.
“I attended these free classes and passed my test,” said Zandile.
“I had no money to pay the driving school... This will benefit all those who don’t have money to pay.”
Bukiwe says the negative international image is what motivated them to use Anni’s name.
“We felt poor people were the most vulnerable to be used for wrongdoings,” she said.
“This is a way of conveying a message to the community that what happened to Anni was wrong and now we should show the positive side of life here.
“We already have people who have passed their learners and are looking forward to driving”
But it is not all smooth sailing.
“We don’t have funds to run the project and we are now struggling to get cars to teach learners how to drive,” Bukiwe explained.
“We request anyone or companies to donate whatever they can so that we can fulfil the dreams of those who want to drive.” - Daily Voice