Soweto prayer event unites men and women to fight crime and social ills
The Imvuselelo Yobaba organisation united men and women in Chiawelo for a Women’s Day prayer ceremony aimed at tackling crime, GBV, poverty and other community challenges.
Makhosonke Mazibuko and Vincent Sibiya, members of Imvuselelo Yobaba, organised a prayer event to address social challenges facing the Soweto community called Umkhulelo Womehluko.
The ceremony was held at an open space next to Nghungunyani High School in Chiawelo on August 9.
Imvuselelo Yobaba is an organisation led by male activists fighting social challenges in the community.
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The event was organised on Women’s Day not to diminish the importance of women, but to honour their role and stand in solidarity with them by calling on men to be present, protective, and purpose-driven.
Various speakers, including pastors from different denominational churches, prayed for solutions to crime, poverty, unemployment, substance abuse, GBV and others.
According to Tshepo Motloung, the deputy chairperson of Imvuselelo Yobaba, this was their first time organising this kind of event since they formed their organisation on August 30, 2023.
“We took this initiative to stand up as men and do the right thing. We had to take our positions to start this prayer ceremony, hoping that it would make a difference,” he said.
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Speaking at the ceremony, Lieutenant Shadreck Mathebula from the Moroka Police Station urged the community to report crimes, even if committed by their children.
“Don’t allow your children to control you in the name of knowing their rights,” he said.
“Crime is increasing daily, and as the police, we need the community to intervene and help identify the criminals. Everyone owns the street they live in, so if you allow things to happen in those streets, they will.”
Jemimah Ndzinge, a resident from Zola 2, stated, “Attending the event showed that there are still men who care about women and the community.
“If we make it a norm to regularly have these events, our communities will surely change for the better, and we’ll walk in the streets freely, knowing nothing will happen to us.”
