Children from Manenberg urge that the violence stops
Exhilaration filled the Silverstream primary school in Manenberg as one hundred boys and girls between the ages of 10 and 14 prepared themselves for the launch of ChommY hosted by Dr Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu the Deputy Minister of social development in partnership with United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Dr Bogopane-Zulu accompanied by the Chief Whip of the majority party in Parliament, Ms Pemmy Majodina and other stakeholders conducted dialogues with the boys and girls in attendance.
During the dialogues while exploring social ills that affect the children Manenberg, 13-year-old Zainab Williams* recalled a chilling incident where she witnessed a woman being shot and killed during a drive by shooting.
“I saw this lady die in front of me, I went home afterwards as if nothing happened. I wish the violence couls stop," she pleaded.
Manenberg is a community on the Cape Flats plagued by gang-related violent crimes and drug abuse.
Crime statistics from July to September 2023 of the 2023/24 financial year, revealed an alarming 18.6% surge in murder cases within the Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP). LEAP operating in various regions, including Manenberg, Delf, Gugulethu, Harare, Khayelitsha, Kraaifontein, Mfuleni, Phillipi East, Samora Machel, and Nyanga. Additionally, areas such as Lavender Hills, Bishop Lavis, and Atlantis are identified as other high-crime zones.
Manenberg is the home to the notorious Hard Livings, Americans and Clever Kids gangs.
“We brought this programme here so you can have a day to be children and to remind you that your dreams are valid, do not let your circumstances define your future” said Dr Bogopane-Zulu
When the children were asked if they had lost anyone they knew because of the violence in the area, more than half the room raised their hands most of them having lost an uncle, close friend, mother or grandfather.
Vanessa Andriaase founder of Mothers4Justice thanked the Deputy Minister for visiting Manenberg again and she said: “we really feel our community is forgotten and such programmes do not reach our children. Programmes such as ChommY have the potential to change the narrative for the boys and girls sitting in this hall."
ChommY is a Social and Behavioural Change (SBC) programme for boys and girls between the ages of 10 to 14 years.
The programme gives children the opportunity to develop a personal plan for their lives and emphasises the importance of support from parents and communities to enable young people to make informed decisions.
The programme forms part of a basket of SBC programmes offered by the Department of Social Development.
Media enquiries may be forwarded to
Ms Lumka Oliphant
Cell: 083 484 8067
E-mail: lumkao@dsd.gov.za
