Second JTTC Bolsters Childsafe Special Needs Road Safety

WESTERN CAPE, Cape Town – Following the pioneering success of the province’s first Junior Traffic Training Centre (JTTC) at Oasis Special School, ChildSafe South Africa, in collaboration with the Western Cape Department of Mobility and the Western Cape Education Department, has successfully launched its second JTTC specifically tailored for children with special needs. The official handover ceremony, held at the Chere Botha School on Thursday, 30 October 2025, celebrated the expansion of this crucial inclusive initiative, reinforcing the commitment to safeguarding the province’s most vulnerable road users. This milestone is a direct result of the proven strategy, demonstrating the transformative impact of applying the Safe Systems Approach where safety is built into every layer of the transport environment. Today, this vital resource is extended to Chere Botha School, ensuring that vulnerable road users, especially children with special needs, are not only protected but empowered.

Inclusive Safety Protocols

This second JTTC provides the same vital resource as the first: a safe, simulated environment where children can learn to navigate roads responsibly through interactive play. This replication model is critical in addressing the continued, alarming statistics: the 2023 RTMC’s State of Road Safety Report showed that over 45% of road deaths were pedestrians, with children under the age of 14 accounting for 10.2% of these fatalities. The need for this targeted intervention is clear, as children with special needs face unique challenges, including being easily startled by loud noises and potentially exhibiting a “freeze” response in complex traffic situations. Principal Jeanine Robinson underscored the centre’s educational value, noting that the JTTC offers learners the chance to learn through playing and practicing, which is how children with special needs learn best.

Power of Partnership

The speakers at the Chere Botha ceremony consistently highlighted the importance of this continued, collaborative effort. Erin Codevilla, of ChildSafe SA, delivered a message on behalf of Executive Director Zaitoon Rabaney, framing the new centre as a powerful extension of their mission: “The establishment of a Junior Traffic Training Centre here is not just an infrastructure achievement—it is a powerful statement that every child, regardless of ability, deserves to move safely and confidently in their community“. She emphasised the initiative’s use of the Safe Systems Approach and declared: “road safety is not a privilege, it is a right“. Brian Jephta, Deputy Chief Education Specialist for School Safety (WCED), affirmed that the department’s youth development mandate includes ensuring learners are safe on the road. He thanked the school for embracing the project, stating that many schools view such initiatives as “additional work” as opposed to seeing the benefits of the space. Furthermore, Naniswa Bhani, Senior Traffic Officer for the City of Cape Town, provided practical guidance, sharing the essential pedestrian rule: “use your eyes to see, your ears to listen, and only then should we use our feet to cross the road”.

Launch Highlights

The Handover Ceremony, led by Programme Director Nokuzola Letselebe, featured an engaging practical component where educators and learners demonstrated the use of the JTTC. Learners, some acting as bus drivers and others as pedestrians, played out two vital scenarios against a background of simulated traffic sounds. After a scenario showing the consequence of a distracted pedestrian, a successful crossing was demonstrated with a teacher guiding the learner through the safety rules: look right, then left, then right again and listen before you walk. This practical segment was preceded by a poem about road safety, delivered by learner Daniel Braaf, who concluded his piece with the memorable lines: “orange means you have to wait/even if you are late”. The ceremony began with Vice Chairperson Romeo Adams reflecting on the history of the school, which was established in the memory of Chere Botha whose tragic passing inspired a commitment to ensure a safe space for children of all abilities to learn. The official launch was marked by a ribbon cutting ceremony, jointly performed by Principal Jeanine Robinson and the vice-principal of the School Governing Body. The event successfully concluded at 12:00.

A Model for the Future

The launch of this second specialised JTTC solidifies the Western Cape’s role as a precedent-setter for inclusive road safety education in South Africa, ensuring the program is accessible to more children. This work supports ChildSafe’s ongoing national advocacy for the 30km/h speed restriction around schools, a measure the government aims to implement in high pedestrian areas. ChildSafe South Africa and the Western Cape Mobility Department are continuing their significant steps towards a safer future for all children by educating young pedestrians and advocating for safer road environments