Mothers in bid to drive change

SINCE the objectives of the Manenberg People’s Charter was put on the backburner by the provincial government several years ago, a group of women have taken matters into their own hands.

The Manenberg Women’s League was recently formed to tackle issues relating to education, health, and the socio-economic environment of the community.

Leader Amelia September said the residents’ voices were not being heard, and as a result many social and political ills prevailed.

The league grew from the Manenberg Mothers, which has since April been taking children as young as 5 years old “off the street” and out of the area so they can experience a different side of life.

The initiative saw several organisations offering to help with training women in identifying whether their children were at risk, and offering children music and dance lessons.

By doing so, they have limited children’s exposure to gangsterism and terminated the violent rivalry that has claimed the lives of dozens of innocent people.

September said then the league was established to not only aid children, but also to target issues that plagued the community to ensure a safer and fulfilling future.

“There are several issues that we feel have been overlooked for the past few years.

“They are the issues of schools. There is talk that of closing and amalgamating schools to make way for a new hospital, and we say no to this.

“We have written to principals and SBGs to request that they address issues of overcrowding and resist closure,” September said.

Another issue was the closure of the GF Jooste Hospital – which the league has asked be replaced with a primary health-care facility.

September said the league recently wrote to the provincial Department of Community Safety to request that it help with providing support for young men who wanted to leave gangs.

September said they were told that their application was received too late.

Since then, the league has been active in attempting to secure venues to be used as places of rehabilitation.

“Many of our young men need support to leave the life they are living, we have had about 50 already that have asked for our support,” she said.

The league, however, was in need of help to drive the upliftment.

September said they were in desperate need of a Combi or bus, and facilities to host talks and displays.

“If Manenberg will ever change, we are going to be the ones to drive it.” September said.

To help, visit the Proudly Manenberg Facebook page, or email udf1one@gmail.com