Meadowlands community marches and prays against GBV and crime
The Lutheran Church, in partnership with Divine Intervention and other stakeholders, gathered to pray and raise awareness as the country enters the 16 Days of Activism campaign, calling for an end to gender-based violence (GBV) and crime in the community.
On November 26, the Lutheran Church, in collaboration with Divine Intervention and other partners, including the South African Police Service (SAPS), hosted a prayer and walk at the Phomolong Congregation in Meadowlands, Soweto.
The event focused on combating social ills, including the rising instances of gender-based violence and crime in local communities.
This initiative followed recent tragic incidents in Soweto, such as the brutal murder of Lebogang Sikwane, who was killed by a neighbour and found near a school close to her home.
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The day began with a community march from the Meadowlands Police Station to the Phomolong Lutheran Church in Zone 3 for a time of prayer and praise.
Reverend Thabo Madiba, the pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Southern Africa, expressed, “Today we have gathered in the house of the Lord to pray against the social ills we face.
As we observe the 16 Days of Activism, it was fitting to open the church doors for prayer in partnership with other stakeholders and to show unity in our community through this march.”
Salamina Moloi, the chairperson of the Community Policing Forum (CPF), emphasised the significance of the day, during which the community actively fights against social ills and seeks divine intervention.
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Prayer points addressed during the event included GBV, crime, the well-being of children in homes and schools, human trafficking, and substance abuse.
Apostle Mandla Mbatha from Divine Intervention Meadowlands highlighted the importance of community involvement in combating these issues.
“As pastors, we need the community’s support to fight these ills; we cannot do it alone. I am grateful that so many community members showed up to confront these evil spirits. Coming together for such a great purpose in a church setting is a positive step,” said Mbatha.
This event is one of many initiatives, as other churches plan to join forces to prevent the rise of these social ills.
