Community leaders from across the Cape Flats, who diligently care for needs of their fellow men, were acknowledged for the selflessness during a gala event held at the City Hall on Saturday 5 November.
The event forms part of the Cape Flats Krotoa Alumni.
The Alumni aims to honour community leaders for their bravery and hard work despite the challenges they face.
It was launched in 2020.
READ | Honouring heroes for selfless acts
On Saturday 60 people (40 community workers and 20 senior citizens) were acknowledged.
They were elected through an online platform where residents had an opportunity to nominate a community hero.
Roegshanda Pascoe, founder of Cape Flats Krotoa Alumni, says: “This year we are honouring Krotoa, Sharleen Surtie-Richards and Iegshaan van der Schyff. Each had their own footprints in our lives Iegshaan served the community selflessly, Sharleen opened the door to arts and theatre for many. Our ancestral mother Krotoa speaks volumes of what we as women still face today and it is by time, we do restoration. This year’s theme is about restoration.”
On Saturday, proceedings started with a wreath laying ceremony at the Groote Kerk (Dutch Reformed Church) in Adderley Street to honour Krotoa, followed by a peaceful walk to the City Hall.
Pascoe says: “The church has welcomed and taken our hand and therefore we are going to put Krotoa’s picture up there, so that when people come here they will know her. We acknowledge our mother, she has walked the streets of Cape Town and so will we. No longer will be pushed aside.”
Pascoe says they experienced many challenges putting the event together. But she says the challenges will not deter them.
“We want to say, we are here to stay. We are the direct descendants of Krotoa and therefore we will make sure that the young people of today knows she was more than the drunkard, more than the whore.”
Reagen Allen, Western Cape Minister of Community Safety and Police Oversight, hailed the nominees for efforts to make a change in their communities.
“I think it is vital that any community stakeholder is celebrated. We are needing to create these platforms because these men and women spend their time, energy and their resources often free-of-charge in order to create safer communities. It is clear that without the help of the of safety stakeholders, without the help of organisations that are working toward safer communities the picture would have been so much bleaker.”
Allen continues: “I am grateful for all the work that they do and as a government we are continuing to look at ways of how we can foster greater collaboration because no government can do it alone, you need community involvement to take stewardships of their communities.”
Denise Newman, local actress, says: “I think the people who we are honouring, what they do in their communities is amazing and they do it without payment, they just see a need and they respond to the need. We need to honour those heroes and heroines. They should continue what they are doing because we need more angels like them.”
Shamieya van der Schyff, wife of Iegshaan, says she feels honoured that her late husband’s dedication to the community is being acknowledged.
Van der Schyff and her husband started a feeding scheme in the Lotus River area. They also did trips to farm villages where they would feed vulnerable people.
“It is a sad day for me, my husband died five months ago. Since my husband’s passing I’ve been continuing with the cooking. I feel emotional but happy that my husband’s efforts to his community are being recognised in this way.”
One of the nominees, Lezanne Basson is the Founder of TKZ’ee soup kitchens in Kraaifontein, an organisation that feeds vulnerable people and also supports the youth.
Basson says she feels honoured that her community has nominated her for this initiative.
“It was a big surprise. It is an awesome gift from God because I never wanted people to know what I do. So, whatever I do is through God’s will and grace. I really appreciate being honoured in this way.”
Magaret Plaaitjies started a soup kitchen in Wesbank in March this year after she saw the need in her community.
“I saw the need so I wanted to do something, I give food to the children and the elderly. I feel like I want to do more. When people come and ask for food my heart breaks. It feels good being honoured.”
