Bonteheuwel residents took to the streets on Saturday to highlight their plight of youngsters being killed because of gang violence.
Under the banner of Young Lives Matter, mense said there were three main issues they were trying to raise - too many young people are being lost to violence and gangsterism, police’s inability to keep young people safe and far too many gangsters are released on early parole or not arrested at all.
They also wanted to create awareness about the importance of good relations between communities and SAPS.
Ward councillor Angus McKenzie says they decided to march because of the number of youth who have been killed in Bonteheuwel.
"We spoke to the gangsters to join us and some of the parents who have lost their children as a result of gang violence.”
Mckenzie says he was happy that police joined in because they are there to help end the violence.
However, he says as much as the march was in Bonteheuwel they want it to spread to other areas that are also faced with the same problems.
People marched to the beat of a song by singer Nadeem Parker who released a music video about the issue last week.
The video was shot in the area and features locals.
"The song was fitting to what the community marched about. We have been having gang violence in our community for some time and we try and do what we can in different ways and by this song we are doing what we can," he says.
Parent Praxcia Assur says the march was very emotional as so many people have lost someone to gang violence in their community.
“I could sympathize with many parents who have lost their sons or daughters to merciless killings happening on our streets,” she says.
“The march was a voice for those parents who are still suffering in silence.
“I also got a chance to express my feelings that had been bottled up, waiting to explode with regard to the murder of my son Renaldo Felix.
“It has opened up many eyes of parents whose sons or daughters are involved in criminal activities, that it could be their mom or dad standing where I was leaning over my son's dead body. It's not too late for our youth to give up their guns and turn to a new chapter in their lives. The march gave many parents and myself hope, courage, support and comfort.”
siyabonga.kalipa@inl.co.za