In the wake of the 16 Days of Activism campaign conducted in Eldorado Park from November 26 to December 2 last year, the Local Drug Action Committee (LDAC), headed by Cheryl Pillay and Deputy Allistaire Fredericks convened with all stakeholders at the Eldorado Park Police Station to recognise the efforts made by various stakeholders who played a key role in making the event a success.

A number of non-governmental organisations such as PUSH, Ke Moja, the South African Police Services, the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Come Back Mission and the Arts and Culture umbrella, headed by Tessa Armien, filled the locale to be awarded in recognition of their selfless dedication to ridding Eldorado Park of crimes against women and children.

According to Pillay, much still needs to be done to raise awareness around the trials women and children face in a society where their rights are largely ignored. Last year’s campaign has certainly improved relations between community leaders and those affected by the various social ills still rife within the community.

Daphné Naidoo, deputy director at the Department of Social Development, urged all entities to continue in the same spirit of co-operation and not to treat events like these as a way of showing each other up, but to embrace a spirit which sees all stakeholders working together towards a community where women and children are protected.

Brigadier Pieter van Dyk and Naidoo thanked LDAC for its continuing fight in the war against substance abuse, stressing that it is a big contributing factor to the rising crime rate in Eldorado Park.

Below are pictures of other recipients: