Lotus River residents, consisting largely of mothers, took to the streets to mark 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign during a safety march on Wednesday 27 November.
Ward 67 councillor Gerry Gordon, who organised the march, said it was important to create more awareness of the fact that violence is unacceptable.
“People are conscious of safety and they are aware that lots need to be done in terms of interventions by police, the Community Policing Forum (CPF), sector commanders and most importantly, the community.”
The campaign is celebrated annually from November 25 until December 10.
“The fact that we have 72 rapes a day is madness,” says Gordon.
Unacceptable
“We are not happy that some people feel it is okay to exercise violence on women and children. It is unacceptable.”
According to Gordon, more needs to be done to create awareness against the scourge of violence plaguing communities.
“It cannot be that the community is built on violence. There are more good people living in our communities than those who want to abuse the most vulnerable,” she added. “As the ward councillor, I want to stand together with the community, enough is enough…this can’t persist any longer.”
According to Daryldene Speelman, a grandmother from Lotus River, children and young people are tragically targeted in the community.
“Too many innocent people are dying…it is very sad that gangsters shoot whenever they feel like it.”
Another mother and grandmother Edwina Hendricks said it was important for women to stand together.
“This march is something that needs to happen for all women, men and children who are abused,” she commented. “I think if we all stood together then there would be less crime.
Future generations
“Gangs and drug dealers think nothing of us and our children. We are doing this for future generations,” said Hendricks. “We should be free to walk where we want to without any fear.
Linda Vally, a grandmother, joined the march in solidarity with the many families who lost loved ones due to gang violence.
“I am marching today because of all the killings taking place and innocent children who are not safe. They are not safe to walk freely in Lotus River.”
According to Vally, children are forced to drop out of school due to intimidation from gangs.
“A girl, who lives in my street, dropped out of school because gangsters kept grabbing her in the mornings and accusing her of being a rival gang member,” she shared.
“We want the drugs and gangsters removed from our communities.”
The concerned resident said it was heartbreaking to see so many children shot and hurt.
“I’m here as a mother; I don’t want anything to happen to my children and I would not want anything to happen to other children,” said Vally.
“I’m also here to stand up against women abuse because the rape and abuse of women and children is not on. We as mothers must stand together.”
