Officials from Cape Town requested technical assistance in community development for Manenburg, a disadvantaged area in Cape Town, in an effort to provide a “model community” for all of Cape Town. The objectives of the partnership between Cape Town and Charlotte were to build a strong participatory process with the community in Manenburg; establish a city-community partnership for improved service delivery and crime prevention; and achieve concrete, visible results in improving the quality of life for residents of Manenburg. 

The idea of developing a public safety committee and a strategic plan for public safety gained considerable attention from the Cape Town officials and was a top priority for the partnership. The technical assistance that the Charlotte partners provided led Cape Town to begin developing a strategic framework for addressing crime issues. 

Based on the Charlotte model, Cape Town also worked to strengthen partnerships with local civic and private-sector organizations. The model community created through this partnership was expected to serve as an example for all of Cape Town to follow.