The Department of Social Development and Special Programmes in partnership with Eastern Cape Council of Churches held a special prayer, uZwelonke (Inkonzo yeeMvaba ngeeMvaba), on 16 August 2012 at Moses Twebe Hall, Dimbaza, King William's Town.
The prayers focused on families, victims of HIV/AIDS, victims and survivors of gender based violence and perpetrators of violent crimes against women and children.
Congregants from the township came in numbers donned in different colours that represent their respective churches. The big number of attendance at the prayer hinted that the above-mentioned social illnesses are prevalent in Dimbaza and that residents want to see a change.
The prayers were rendered by different Reverends including Reverend Malobola, Reverend N. Ncama, Hon. Gqiba and Reverend Blacky, each of them targeting one of the social illnesses mentioned above. Rev B. Gujulwa gave the sermon that had a touching message for the people of Dimbaza, targeting the inequalities that women go through each day, poverty and unemployment.
The scripture reading for the whole event was based on two Chronicles 7 verse 14-15: "14. If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land, 15. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place."
The closure of factories that used to be the economic hub of Dimbaza resulted in a high rate of unemployment in the area. This then brought about Poverty, escalation of crime, especially Gender Based Violence (rape in particular allegedly emanating from drug abuse and alcohol abuse) as well as HIV/AIDS.
The people of Dimbaza appreciated the prayer and felt as though it was long overdue. Noxolo Mawu a resident of Dimbaza also added that God’s intervention will surely do something good for them and "it was about time we thought about taking this route."
