Promoting better social cohesion
Oganisations working together
In a society affected by gender-based violence, murder, rape, theft, robbery and many other crimes, a concerned team of community organisations gathered in Zamokuhle High School in Whittlesea on Tuesday to come up with ways to save society through the promotion of social cohesion.
“Seeing how people are affected by so much social ills, we decided to meet up as different organisations from different backgrounds and departments to see what we can do to stop this,” said a message from the gathering.
In a document circulated last week, the Walter Sisulu University’s (WSU) department of school improvement programmes (DSIP) invited various stakeholders to a meeting whose objective was to find ways of promoting social cohesion in the communities the university serves. “As DSIP we have observed a high crime rate in our communities. As a university we cannot afford to be quiet when such things are happening.
Following that meeting at the WSU Masibulele boardroom on Friday, May 20, a bigger gathering was held at the Zamokuhle High School in Whittlesea on Tuesday.
Speaking at the event, Dr Newlin Marongwe said: “As a university we asked ourselves what the problem is and we then said, we are here to promote social cohesion so that we sit upright in humanity and uphold each other, so we said let’s gather today as different organisations. We are here to revive social cohesion.
“Social cohesion promotes a spirit of oneness, unity, love, care, harmony, peace, forgiveness and looking after each other. In that way it makes the community to be protected
– do not wait for the police. It is not about them, it is about us. Let us come together as Africans.” Marongwe went on to say that social cohesion helps make investors create employment.
Nosicelo Siyoko, speaking on behalf of the correctional services department, pointed out that many of the inmates at their centres were held for cases of gender-based violence. “About 80% of offenders in the cells are arrested for sexual offences. We also have challenge of parole. For example, Sada prison should be housing 256 criminals but we have 356 and that means a cell has 40 people – some sleep on the floor. Some of those who were released on parole reoffended,” she said.
Captain Doreen Tabata of the local police spoke about challenges facing the service including staff shortages and lack of resources.
“We have poor roads that make us unable to work properly – when someone reports a crime we will take about two hours because of our poor roads.” Mvuzo Kepe, a member of the school governing body said: “We think this program will help us, poverty changes the attitude of children.”
Meanwhile, Lukandamiza Malipo also alluded to the problem of gender-based violence, calling for social engagement and reporting of crime.
Domestic violence and drugs affected children at school as well, the speakers said.
According to local lawyer, Luthando Toyi, it is not easy but victims need to speak up.