A large number of people gathered in Edgemead, outside Cape Town, this past weekend to make their voices heard and take a stand against gender-based violence (GBV).
A group of about 150 to 180 local residents, private security firms, neighbourhood watches, community policing forums (CPFs), the ward councillor and local police gathered at the Bosmansdam Road-Edgemead Drive intersection on Saturday morning, just after 09:00, to make their voices heard in support of GBV victims and survivors.
Leone Pretorius, secretary of the Monte Vista Plattekloof Glen Neighbourhood Watch, said multiple entities took a public stand against gender-based violence. Also present were the private-security firms Precinct Response, Fidelity ADT and District Group. The Edgemead and Bothasig neighbourhood watches, and the Goodwood and Bothasig CPF as well as the Bothasig police were also there. Other organisations and companies who joined include Rough Terrain Adventures, HarleyhavenSA, Ubuntu Social Awareness, Angel Community Outreach and the Edgemead Community Improvement District.
The event was organised and convened by Michelle Stanford, a member of the Monte Vista Plattekloof Neighbourhood Watch.
Placards were also held high for passing motorists, sporting slogans such as “Hoot if you hate abuse,” and “Real men don’t abuse.”
Ward councillor Cheryl Visser described the protest as peaceful and well-organised. “I appreciate that residents can express their concerns in a responsible manner. There was good cooperation between the organisers and the authorities, and everything went down well.”
She described the protest as a huge success, adding that organisations came from far and near to show their support.
Mario Borchards, chair of the Bothasig CPF, said it and other organisations wanted to deliver a strong united message, “Not in our homes and not in our community”. He said the demonstration formed part of the national 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign, which runs from 25 November to 10 December annually, with participants raising awareness of the ongoing abuse of women and children.
“The Bothasig CPF reaffirmed its commitment to standing with survivors and working towards safer, violence-free neighbourhoods.”
