Residents of Bergvliet are pressing the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) to reopen discussions on the traffic management plans for the proposed Tokai High School, which is expected to accommodate over 1,100 learners. The call follows concerns raised by a community-funded technical review that questioned whether the current traffic modelling accurately reflects the school’s operational impact, including access from Ruskin and Leyden roads.
At a community meeting held on 15 September 2026, the Bergvliet Voluntary Association (BVA) highlighted traffic congestion as the primary concern among residents, with 75% of 325 surveyed community members identifying it as an issue. The association’s spokesperson underscored frustrations about the lack of genuine engagement, stating, “We want to engage and truly collaborate (not be told) on this site, the traffic concerns and the infrastructure.”
The proposed high school, as reported earlier by Cape Argus in September 2025, is projected to cost over R125 million and include around 30 classrooms, a sports field, and a school hall. It aims to relieve pressure on local high schools, where more than 2,200 applications are received annually for just over 200 available spaces per school.
However, a 2026 community-commissioned traffic review estimated up to 1,500 peak-hour vehicle movements entering and exiting the school site, further fuelling residents’ concerns about the current traffic planning. After initial refusals to release the Traffic Impact Assessment following PAIA requests, the document was eventually obtained through an Ombudsman appeal, adding to the community’s demand for transparency.
Ward 73 councillor Eddie Andrews has stated that the impact assessments completed so far meet relevant requirements and are deemed sufficient by the City. The WCED’s Bronagh Hammond reminded that the project remains in the planning phase and assured that the department is committed to complying with municipal standards concerning heritage, traffic, and environmental matters.
Despite official assurances, the BVA and local residents argue the narrow residential streets, especially around Ruskin Road and Leyden Road, may not support the expected traffic volume without risking increased congestion and safety hazards. These concerns are tied to the broader challenge of providing sufficient school placements in Cape Town’s southern suburbs without overwhelming local infrastructure.
This ongoing dispute highlights the tension between expanding education access and managing suburban development responsibly. As planning progresses, the community awaits further engagement from both the City and WCED to address these traffic and infrastructure issues.
The Cape Flats News journalist will continue to monitor developments and provide updates on any new engagements or decisions relating to the Tokai High School project.