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Peace or Progress? Coniston Park Seniors Push Back Against New School Build
A new school sparks an old community’s anger
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has begun building a new high school in Coniston Park, Steenberg, but not everyone is celebrating. While the project promises space for around 375 learners and modern facilities by late 2026, a group of senior residents staged a protest on Friday morning, voicing frustration that their opposition was overlooked.
The WCED confirmed that all necessary approvals were secured, with the City of Cape Town granting land use and building plan clearance. Spokesperson Bronagh Hammond described the school as “a positive contribution and asset to any community.”
For the department, the development addresses pressing education needs in the region. For some residents, however, it represents disruption to the way of life they’ve carefully built over decades.
“We asked years ago – they said no”
Protesters, all over 60, said they were caught off guard when construction machinery rolled into the area. Many pointed out that, according to residents, nearly 90% of locals had voted against the project in earlier consultations, yet the work still went ahead.
Bahjat Andrad, 68, has lived in Coniston Park for more than 40 years. She says the issue is about more than noise.
“We have been living here for decades. When we asked for a school years ago, the requests were ignored. Now, when our children are grown and gone, they want to put it here. It feels like we don’t count.”
Others echoed her frustration, questioning why schools were not being built in neighbouring areas such as Lavender Hill, where overcrowding has long been a problem.
From wetlands to walkways
Residents also raised environmental and safety concerns. They say the land forms part of a wetland and borders a bird sanctuary. Some suggested it could have been turned into a park or green space similar to Green Point Park, creating recreational opportunities for older residents.
Traffic was another sticking point. Mandy Jacobs, 61, worried about the influx of cars and taxis during school hours.
“The roads will be clogged every morning. Even going for a quiet walk will become difficult.”
Beyond congestion, some pointed to safety issues. They argued that children attending the new school would need to cross busy roads and potentially unsafe areas, putting them at risk.
A clash of visions for Coniston Park
The WCED insists the school will serve a greater need for education in Steenberg, with the first phase scheduled for completion in late 2026. But local pensioners argue that the project disregards their quality of life and community identity.
Supporters of the seniors say the protest is not just about resisting change. It’s about whose voices are heard when government makes decisions that reshape neighbourhoods.
On social media, reactions have been mixed. Some users expressed sympathy, highlighting the residents’ decades-long investment in Coniston Park. Others argued that education infrastructure must take priority, even when it upsets long-time homeowners.
For now, bulldozers continue their work, and the community waits to see whether the quiet streets of Coniston Park will ever feel the same again.
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: Southern Mail
