Francesca Villette
MANENBERG mothers hoping to prevent children from joining gangs by showing them a different life are well on their way to achieving their objectives after being overwhelmed by help.
Since the Cape Times published an article about their initiative last week, campaign leader Amelia September said they had received support from several organisations offering to help with training women in identifying if their children were at-risk, and offering children music and dance lessons.
“We also have people coming in who will coach women in non-violent communication as that is a crucial aspect in helping to drive change in the community,” September said.
Ten women, under the banner of “Taking Back our Children Campaign”, plan to take children as young as five out of the area so they can experience a different side of life, as many have not left the suburb.
All are mothers and work in the area, and they met last night to discuss the way forward and how they could optimise their initiative.
Seconded Manenberg High deputy principal, and SA Democratic Teachers Union provincial chairperson Jonovan Rustin said the mothers’ initiative was what the community needed.
He referenced an example of four pupils from his former school jetting to Los Angeles last year to help educate US pupils about HIV/Aids.
The trip formed part of the Manenberg Artesia Aids Project, a joint initiative between Artesia High School in Lakeside, California, and Manenberg High School.
“All four of the pupils who participated are now studying further. Exposing children to a different life is a great thing, and broadens their horizons,” Rustin said.
The area has been plagued by gang-related shootings, with the latest claiming one life at the weekend. Police spokesperson Noloyiso Rwexana said no one had been arrested for the weekend shootings, and investigations were ongoing.
They still have to verify that 14 people have been killed in gang-related shootings in Manenberg in the past two weeks.
Manenberg Safety Forum chairperson Roegshanda Pascoe said a woman was killed in crossfire at the weekend, but no further information could be obtained. Pascoe said police had maintained a heavy presence in the area, for which the community was grateful.
No murders have been reported this week.
According to the population Census of 2011, there were about 61 615 people living in Manenberg.
It had an unemployment rate of 36 percent, while the national rate is 26.4 percent. Most people who worked earned an average of R1 600 a month.
The Social Justice Coalition (SJC) published a graphic showing that in Manenberg there are just over 200 police officers per 100 000 people, compared to 500 officers per 100 000 people in Rondebosch.
It showed that 17 000 drug-related crimes took place in Manenberg and 3 000 in Rondebosch over a four-year period.
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