Finding peace in midst of violence
Ambassadors project brings hope at last to Hanover Park ‘war zones’
INSIDE the war zones of Hanover Park, beauty has again defied the lethal violence that burst onto the innocent streets of that besieged community. Teenagers in Grades 11 and 12 have emerged to challenge the narratives of violence. These young people have shared peace messages with more than 3 000 people and engaged in more than 100 peace projects, individually and collectively. They live inside a war zone and they need peace partners to journey with them. They now make an urgent appeal for modest assistance, from individuals to groups or organisations, to partner with them and their three high schools (Groenvlei, Mountview and Crystal). Their main focus is to strengthen their educational development so that they can become positive peer role models, working for peace in a war zone.
During the past month as blood flowed needlessly, young voices of hope were rising to the heavens with lyrical power. This duality is reflected in the growth of pockets of tranquillity amidst a state of insanity and killings. Loud sounds of gunfire could be heard repeatedly on a daily basis during the months of June and July at various locations in the township of approximately 40 000 people. Eighteen people were killed. The entrenched violence brings with it trauma for families affected by it.
The persistent stories of violence in Hanover Park have created an unfortunate image of the community. Everyone living in there is painted with the same brush.
The truth is quite different and the greatness that exists amongst the people and the positive features of community life are not sufficiently acknowledged.
The Cape Argus must be applauded for its decision to publish stories of hope and peace with the rest of society via the Peace Ambassadors Project. Writing also has therapeutic power and based on the feedback we received, these good news stories of hope also inspired audiences in other countries. The project has introduced a peace narrative to rival the narrative of violence and new insights have started to emerge.
Crystal High School: Inga Habe was the first to write her story about “finding the strength to dream” and it was exceptionally well received. She said that “we come from apartheid and we gained our freedom… let’s promote peace in our school as we work towards Dignity Day”. Her story was followed by Samuel Stoffberg and Chelsea Jacobs who shared how their Dignity Day project transformed the school.
The principal, Dino Abrahams, and vice-principal, Fiona Blanchard, said “the school was the most peaceful it has been in many years”. The significance of the peace project must be contextualised by the fact that Crystal High has four armed law enforcement officers permanently stationed at the school.
Faseegah Rossie highlighted the importance of human dignity and the successful project by the Grade 11 Peace Ambassadors. They decided to oppose bullying at the school, which is a form of violence.
Groenvlei High School: Britney Williams wrote about spreading peace one step at a time and how her journey to inner peace was started. Labeeqah Stemmet spoke about her narrow escape from death when a bullet was shot through the window of their house. She and a group of Groenvlei pupils helped 375 others. Parents also became involved in their peace projects.
Kate-Lynn Fourie wrote a deeply moving article about her personal challenges when she was pregnant in grade 11. With the help of her teachers she decided to continue her Grade 12 schooling after she gave birth in April 2018. She shared peace messages with 240 others. The pupils praised Tony Adamson, their principal, who actively championed the Peace ambassadors project.
Mountview High School: Mumtaaz Galant shared an intensely inspiring article about her journey towards inner peace. She wrote that “my eyesight is fading fast. Soon I will not be able to see flowers or watch the sun set”. Rasheedah Smith indicated that through the peace programme she gained strength. She shared peace messages with 280 others and continues to make a difference in the lives of others. Talia Petersen shared that her first name means “dew from heaven”. She wished that everyone in Hanover Park should “experience a moment of heaven”. Keanan Weitz wrote about finding meaning and inner peace. He mobilised a group of Peace Ambassadors. The principal, Heinrich Bowers, encouraged them to work for peace.
We urge Cape Argus readers to respond to the call from these brave young Peace Ambassadors who have demonstrated that building peace is possible in a war zone.
Edmund Burke correctly stated that the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing.