Women unite in prayer walk to combat social ills in Cape Town

Women-led faith groups took to the streets in a Women’s Prayer Walk for action against social ills like gender-based violence, crime, and for the safety of children and communities on Wednesday, August 27.

Tanelle Welff Ministries and Foundation (TWMF), alongside Abbas Restoration House Ministry and other women's groups, handed their demands over to Premier Alan Winde and the Department of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities.

The walk started at the Castle of Good Hope to the provincial parliament, and concluded at the national parliament.

Organiser Reverend Tanelle Welff-Dixon, from Kraaifontein, said the walk was a starting point for collaboration. 

“While our memorandum highlights serious community concerns, we and the broader faith community are keen to engage constructively with both provincial and national governments to help develop and implement solutions.”

Apostle Gloria Veale, founder of  Abbas Restoration House Ministry, encouraged women from all sectors and cultural backgrounds to unite and stand together against crime. 

“This is just the beginning of setting the platform for a positive change and a revival,” she said. 

The spokesperson for Premier Winde's office, Regan Thaw, said Mr Winde shared the frustrations and anger of communities affected by crime.

“The levels of violence gripping parts of Cape Town are intolerable. The premier has written to the Acting Minister of Police, requesting an urgent meeting to discuss this pressing issue. The premier has given his full backing to all law enforcement agencies to do everything possible to stabilise the situation,” Mr Thaw said. 

Attempts to get a response from the  Department of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities were unsuccessful.

Reverend Welff-Dixon said they drew inspiration from the 1956 Women's March, in demand of action for the current social ills.