Cape Town - Six hundred people took to the streets of Kraaifontein on Thursday in support of the 16 Days of Activism Against Violence Against Women and Children, which officially launches on Friday.
The march, organised by police, saw the crowd marching from the Kraaifontein Police Station, to the Central Park Sports Ground in Scottsdene.
Station Commander for Kraaifontein, Brigadier Gerda van Niekerk, said the march received a “positive response” from the people of Kraaifontein.
“First of all, I will say that I am overwhelmed, honoured to be a woman, and to see the support because I know that everyone had their own things to do today, but they found the time to come and support us, and that I am grateful for.
“This time of the year is one of the best stages because this is the time that many women reach out to us, and we assist so many victims of crime and child abuse.
“This, on the other hand, is also a sad time of the year for us as we recently lost our female constable, Amanda Ladlokova, in a shooting. It was a bad time for us and it’s not acceptable for us to lose a colleague in that way.
“This day brings all sorts of mixed emotions, but also seeing the young children and people coming to support this makes me happy, and we are looking forward to a safe festive season,” she said.
Those who turned out in support included the Women’s Network, police station members, community members of Belmont Park, Scottsdene, Wallacedene, as well as pupils of Harvester Primary School, who are members of the drilling squad, and were led by a drum majorette.
Thirty pupils joined the march on Thursday. The squad were announced as champions in the ninth annual SAPS schools marching and drilling competition in Mitchells Plain in October.
Harvester Primary School coach Dawood Davids said he wanted to educate pupils about abuse against women and children, and to make them active leaders in their communities in future.
“It is important for them to be aware of the things that happen in their communities, and they need to start practising to be good citizens,” said Davids.
While crime was a concern in the area, Van Niekerk said Wallacedene was of particular concern.
Cape Argus