Churches march against women abuse

Members of the Tembisa Lady Priest, joined by other local churches and Tembisa SAPS, held a march on June 27, to raise awareness against women and child abuse and human trafficking .

The march commenced at Motheong and Seotloane circle and proceeded to St Eli Apostolic Church in Difateng section.

Ganda-Ganda, Bo-Mama Bothando, St Eli Apostolic, Umkhumbi, Tembisa United Ministers Forum, local church priests and archbishops took part in the march.

The march was dominated by elderly women dressed in their church garments, holding placards protesting against abuse and trafficking.

On their arrival at the St Eli Apostolic Church, Rev Maggie Manaka welcomed them.

According to Thandi Magazi, a member of Ganda-Ganda, women and child abuse and human trafficking are growing issues in the Tembisa township and the purpose of the march was to raise more awareness and encourage residents to be part and parcel of the movement.

“We organised the march so that we can host a special prayer against the scourge of women and child abuse and human trafficking that is threatening our communities. We are saying enough is enough. We refuse to sit back and watch crime taking over in our community,” she said.

Magazi added they are planning more public marches against women and child abuse and human trafficking to raise more awareness and they encourage members of the community to consider joining this type of march and supporting these events.

“As church members and Tembisa residents, we are determined to help the police and fight against any criminal element that is emerging in the township. We are tired of watching our children being called names such as ‘nyaope boy’. Our children are abused by ‘sugar daddies’ – nowadays, they are called ‘blessers’.”

“They take advantage of the children by promising them the moon and stars, knowing very well that they are destroying their futures. Men should stop abusing women and respect young girls,” said Magazi.

Magazi encouraged young people to be extra cautious when applying for jobs through the internet and said they should not fall for human trafficking scams.

“Unemployment has made our children victims of human trafficking because they are desperate for jobs and they fall easily for scams. Young people should do background checks and research the companies they apply with,” added Magazi.

Meanwhile, Archbishop Mofokeng encouraged young people to respect and to listen to their parents.

“Be honest with your family about your whereabouts and about the people you associate yourself with. Our people should be aware of people who just offer them free transport. There is so much going on in our communities,” said Archbishop Mofokeng.

He said young people should learn to behave and avoid criminal behaviour.

Youth representative Daniel Phadu encouraged men to get to know and fear God so that they can become real men.

“Real men who fear God do not beat women and rape children. They become better leaders and role models to their children, not abusers,” said Phadu.

The Tembisa SAPS Warrant Officer James Nkwinika, who represented the station commander, Brigadier Buyokazi Ndebele, said they were elated to see the community taking a stance against crime.

“This awareness campaign should not only be attended by churches. All residents of Tembisa and other stakeholders should attend to show criminals that they’ve got no space to hide when they commit crime in the community,” said Nkwinika.

https://tembisan.co.za/29475/local-church-cleaned-up/