For the first time ever, churches of various denominations in Kraaifontein came together to stand against violence against women and children.
About 400 church leaders convened at the VG Kerk in Scottsville on Sunday where Cape Town Mayor, Dan Plato, and several provincial parliamentary members joined them to rally against gender-based violence, gangsterism and crime.
The pastors prayed for
victims and their families, following the death of 8-year old Tazne van Wyk, whose body was found in a stormwater drain in Worcester last week after she was
kidnapped from her home in Ravensmead.
Pastor Isaac Gordon prayed for the Van Wyk family, saying: “We feel the pain of the family. We see their tears. We as the church must see the sadness and pray for hope.”
CONGREGANTS: VG Kerk in Scottsdene
Joan Pieterse, a mom from Scottsville, said it was time for people to go back to the old days when everyone looked out for everyone else’s children.
Resident Michael Januarie said it was high time religious leaders had a say in gender-based violence, where education starts in the home.
“This was a fruitful rally, we as congregants must realise that we have to stand together under one umbrella to put an end to violence against our women and children.”
William Atkins, a member of the Old Apostolic Church, said seeing all denominations putting their differences aside to fight a common cause was a “wonder to behold”.
“For once we didn’t play kerkie-kerkie, but stood together with one goal in mind,” he said.
Mayor Plato also addressed the congregation with a message to church leaders: “The voice of the church is not heard anymore.
“We have old men luring young women away from their homes only to kill them. We must stop covering up for our criminal children.”