MANENBERG CALLS FOR PEACE

THE community of Manenberg called for peace in their neighbourhood as they joined in the commemoration of the 12th Anniversary of the Declaration of World Peace. 

Manenberg was abuzz with a clean-up of the crime and poverty-ridden area, as mense removed rubbish on the side of the streets last week. 

Community engagement were organised and co-hosted by multinational NGO Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), Gun Free South Africa, the Lerato Family Foundation, Soka Gakkai International, the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG), and the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG). 

The clean-up was effectively coordinated by the Peace My City Committee, prominently featuring Councillor Mzwakhe Nqavashe and former Independent Media Editor-in-Chief Aziz Hartley.

As part of the ambitious ‘Peace My City’ campaign, the gathering also marked the second Peace Zone initiative in Cape Town's high-crime areas this May.

Hartley lauded the dedication of the volunteers, saying: “It doesn’t matter who made the mess,, what matters is that we did our part.” 

Supported by Ward Councillor Deidree de Vos, local NGOs, and revered religious leaders, residents banded together with a shared vision of reclaiming public spaces for safety, youth development, and a long-lasting transformation within their community. 

Local laaities also joined in the effort by creating artworks, under the theme “Peace, Let’s Be Friends! What can we do to achieve peace?”

Saturday’s competition concluded with a hearty lunch and an award ceremony for the most outstanding pieces.

Judging was conducted by artists Gardie Judge, Preyser-Grantham, and Raeff John from the Butterfly Art Foundation, who praised the creativity and sincerity expressed in the students’ works.