A year of triumph and tragedy: Mitchell’s Plain through the 2025 headlines
Ithrah Jaftha, 10, joined residents, community leaders and ward councillors during a prayer walk in Lentegeur on Thursday January 16, organised by sub-council 17, calling for an end to gang violence after a spate of shootings in Mitchell’s Plain.
Image: Marsha Bothma
For many, 2025 brought highs and lows, and as we look back, we remember celebrations, challenges, and events that tested our communities and left a lasting impact.
In school news, in January, two Mitchell’s Plain schools - Spine Road High and Darul Arqam Islamic High - both achieved first place with a 100% matric pass rate for the Metro South District in 2024, (“Two ’Plain schools tie for top spot with 100% matric pass” Plainsman January 14).
In January, residents, community leaders, and ward councillors took part in a prayer walk in Lentegeur, pleading “Stop killing our children” after a spate of gang‑related shootings in Mitchell’s Plain (“Residents plea for end to gang violence” Plainsman January 21).
Former Cape Town mayor Theresa Solomon, who passed away on Monday, July 2025 was a well-loved anti-apartheid activist who supported various Mitchell's Plain organisations and civic movements during the struggle, including the Leadwood Educare Centre in Eastridge.
Image: Facebook
In March, the Plainsman reported that Mitchell’s Plain Magistrate’s Court opened a second dedicated GBV courtroom to reduce long waiting times for GBV and domestic violence cases ("New hope for GBV survivors" March 11).
We also remember the late mayor Theresa Solomon, a beloved Mitchell’s Plain activist who became Cape Town’s first black female mayor and later a high commissioner, remembered for her lifelong community leadership and the legacy she left behind (“Honouring Theresa Solomon: The legacy of Mitchell's Plain's beloved activist" Plainsman July 9).
With Mitchell’s Plain turning 50 next year, the community is expected to be buzzing with activity. The Plainsman has curated and collected data on the community, highlighting areas such as Westridge, Tafelsig, Eastridge, and Beacon Valley, to name a few, ("Exploring the early years of Woodlands: A community's journey" Plainsman July 22; "SAFTA winner Amy Jephta carries Beacon Valley to the world" September 19 and "Two Tafelsig titans: Aunty Connie and Aunty Maria's fight for a safer community" Plainsman November 21).
In August, a man was gunned down outside the Mitchell’s Plain Magistrate’s Court, (“One man fatally shot in front of Mitchell's Plain Magistrate's Court” Plainsman August 25) followed by a visit from the acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia to Mitchell’s Plain in September to meet with community leaders about rising gang-related violence, (“'The Cape Flats is a crime scene,' say safety structures at Western Cape Ministerial programme engagement" Plainsman September 15).
In September, Parkhurst Primary won the RWS Newspaper Quiz and Spelling Bee competition. The 2025 results leave the community looking ahead to which schools will perform best in 2026 ("Parkhurst Primary crowned champions of RWS Newspaper Quiz and Spelling Bee," Plainsman September 12).
The winning team from Parhurst Primary School, along with their teachers and Reading and Writing Solutions (RWS) organisers. The pupils and teachers received their certificates and some accolades on Friday.
Image: Phiri Cawe
In November, two separate accidents on Eisleben Road left several people injured; the first involved Angelo “Elo” Adams, 35, who was killed in a multi‑vehicle collision, while the second involved a nurse, who was seriously injured (“Community rallies to honour Angelo 'Elo' Adams after fatal Eisleben Road crash" Plainsman November 16 and "Another collision on Eisleben Road leaves nine injured" Plainsman December 9).
In November, Mitchell’s Plain’s 50th was celebrated at the 17th DStv Mitchell’s Plain Festival,("Mitchell’s Plain Festival celebrates community and local talent" Plainsman December 1).
In November, Strandfontein residents and community leaders held a 15-minute peaceful protest as part of the national shutdown against GBV and femicide, at a time when gender-based violence had been officially declared a national crisis in South Africa ("Strandfontein residents march to end gender-based violence" Plainsman November 21).
In December, a triple killing in Rocklands claimed the lives of Zachariah Matthee, 9, Cleo Bailey, 19, and Moegsien Daniels, 26, reflecting the ongoing deadly impact of gang violence in the area (“Rocklands community unites in prayer for safety after tragic gang shooting" Plainsman, December 11).
These events, along with the latest crime statistics, show that Mitchell’s Plain remains among the areas most affected by shootings, gang-related violence, and fatalities (“Violent crime still high in Mitchell’s Plain despite national drop in crime stats” Plainsman December 9).