The community of Steenberg will on Saturday pay homage to a young girl who was allegedly murdered by a neighbour.
Rene Tracy Roman was killed exactly a year ago, and her family and residents will commemorate her death with several events at Levana Primary School, where she attended, and at her family’s home in St. Agatha Crescent in Montague Village.
Activist and Founder of Philisa Abafazi Bethu, Lucinda Evans, says among others, a candle lighting ceremony and a fun day for children in the area has been arranged.
“On Saturday, we will have over 100 children who will celebrate Rene Roman’s life through song and dance. We are also emphasising our #YourChildIsMyChild and #1Child2Many campaigns. An all inclusive candle lighting ceremony will also be held at the school,” Lucinda explained.
Lucinda adds they want to highlight the importance of child protection across the Cape Flats.
“We want to collaborate and partner, we want people to copy our organic intervention campaigns and we want to work with all communities,” she says.
A memorial tribute and service will be held at Rene’s home at 7.30pm.
Rene’s uncle and family spokesperson, Stephen de Villiers, says the family has been dreading the day, as it will reopen their wounds.
“I wish we could skip the day, but with the upcoming anniversary, there are so much mixed emotions I cannot explain,”
Stephen said.
Rene disappeared on 10 March 2017, and her half-naked and decomposing body was found 10 days later, wrapped in a mat and hidden in a neighbour’s Wendy house.
Andrew Plaatjies, 50, has been arrested for her murder.