Cape Town - To commemorate Mandela Day, the community in Parkwood, Grassy Park took back their streets by painting over gangster territory markings and vandalised spaces.
Co-ordinated by the Grassy Park SAPS Youth desk, the event was held in Blackbird Avenue where residents participated alongside SAPS, the youth desk, neighbourhood watches and local CPF.
Deputy chairperson of the youth desk, Saadiqah Ganief, said the project on Sunday restored dignity to a community which was gripped by gang violence.
“The decision to paint over the graffiti, territory markings and unsavoury commentary around the Parkwood community came after ongoing gang violence, which spiked last month. The idea behind the 67 minutes giving back to our community is very significant and is very important to everybody.
“It was amazing seeing everybody just wanting to come and be a part of the painting exercise which was basically saying we are taking back our streets and community. We weren’t just taking our community back, but we are giving our community and its residents their freedom back. These markings basically keep people hostage who live in gang territory and their freedom is taken away as they can’t move outside of their ‘territory’,” said Ganief.
Ganief added that the message they shared with the community was that of positivity and towards a greater goal of working together against crime.
“We wanted to uplift the infrastructure of the community and change the environment and this was definitely achieved as it was received so positively. People were there way beyond the 67 minutes because it gave them a positive feeling. They didn’t want to stop because of the significance it has,” said Ganief.
CPF Chairperson Melvin Jonkers said they commended the youth desk for their bravery and stance they had taken.
“It is an effort that must be commended as the Parkwood community is plagued by gangsterism. It is an act of bravery going into an area where such activity is rife and we are proud of the feedback it received by the community. Children came up from the start until it was done, because they wanted to do their bit.
“This was showing the minority that enough is enough. The community is reclaiming their space and on Sunday (yesterday) was just the beginning. It was a fantastic atmosphere,” said Jonkers.
Cape Times