Women of Parkwood held a prayer walk through the area last week to gather support for the mothers who had lost their children to gang violence.
Parkwood seniors’ organisation Embrace, and a few church leaders, called on residents to join them on Thursday August 29 for their third walk, held annually during Women’s Month.
Chairperson Maudie Petersen said the main purpose of the walk was to send out the message that the community cared about the mothers who had lost their children through gang violence.
“This gathering was important so we can show the mothers who endure the painful memories alone at home, that we care,” she said.
As the procession made its way through the area, the group grew bigger as residents joined in alongside tearful mothers.
Ms Petersen said this walk was also to motivate other communities in gang-infested areas such as Lavender Hill, Hillview, Manenberg and more, to do the same. “While we walked, we prayed. We have priests and pastors who had supported us, and we were all dressed in purple and black, to show the mothers that we still mourn with them.
“We did not protest but we pray that God will guide the authorities to bring the perpetrators of the victims to book,” she said.
“We need a change. We need people to stop fighting each other, but stand together to say enough is enough, because all we want is peace in Parkwood.”
The group stopped at The Bethany Brethan Church where they released purple and black balloons and then observed a minute of silence for the deceased.
At the church, a few words of thanks were shared by Clement Soules, a church leader, who said
he had had a hard life growing up. “I was an ugly person, but after I found God, I became a beautiful person. I also want to thank all the mothers who have lost their children.”
While his mother was no longer around, he said, some women in the community were mother-figures to him.
Catherine Williams, a community leader, prayed for the mothers who survived trying times. “We pray that the Lord bring them together and protect them.”
Ms Petersen said: “We would like this commemoration to continue every year and we want to thank our pastors and leaders as well as Grassy Park SAPS for guiding the walk.”