Chanting “protect our future” and “enough is enough” Vrygrond residents and their children stood holding placards to bring attention to violence and crime committed against children.
The picket was to mark National Child Protection Week which started on Sunday 29 May and ended on Sunday 5 June.
Mymoena Scholtz, founder and director of Where Rainbow Meets Training and Development, organised the event held at Prince George Drive on Thursday 2 June.
“Today’s picketing is all about protecting our children. There are too many kids that are disappearing and my encouragement would be to parents that they must take better care of the children, not to leave children on the streets or walking alone from school.”
She added that it was the parents and community’s responsibility to protect children.
“It is all our responsibility to protect our children and make sure that the environment is safe for them. Today we have all the parents here, our students, we have members of Where Rainbows Meet and we form here in unity to ensure that we will not tolerate any injustice to our children.”
One of the community’s concerns are children going missing, adds Scholtz.
“We have posters of missing girls because we feel it is such a big concern that a child has gone missing for so long and there is no trace and we appeal to the community out there to keep on sharing their pictures because somebody must know something.”
Alice Booysen, a grandparent from Vrygrond, says crime in the area is high and that children are kidnapped and murdered.
“I’m here to march against gender-based violence (GBV), child abuse and women abuse because our children are getting kidnapped.
“Our children are getting murdered, our children get raped so we are tired of that and government is doing nothing to help us as parents and as the community we must stand up against crime because no-one wants to help us. People die every day here in Vrygrond and no-one is doing anything. So, what must we do as the community to protect ourselves and protect our children and our family?”
The grandmother of three says it is important to remain vigilant.
“I have three grandchildren, one is in crèche and two are at school. You must be vigilant because your children get abducted from school. The shootings are going on, so you don’t even know if your child is safe at school because there is no protection at school. Sometimes the police take so long to come to school or to any place.”
Rafiqah Prumpeter (19) said she is supporting the picket as children are the future.
“Children should have a bright future. I’m here today because of all the things that are happening in our community and for us to keep them (children) safe. Children are being abused and raped and all kinds of crimes are happening.”
Faldelah Taylor, who has four grandchildren, said it was very sad to see what happens to children.
“I am also a grandma and it is so sad. We are just doing our best.”
Michele Miggel, a mother of two, says her biggest fear is that her daughters would be stolen.
“Stop stealing our children. I have two daughters; one is four and the other one year old. People must just stop stealing children.”
