More than 30 people gathered at Ikemeleng Youth Centre on 26 June for a ‘prayer walk’ to demonstrate unity and pray for social change in Alexandra.
The walk took place from Ikemeleng Youth Centre in Roosevelt Street to KwaBhekilanga sports ground and was hosted by Alexandra’s fast-growing campaign, #Hope4Alex with the help of Metro police to clear the streets.
Pastor Jeff Riyandane of Tabernacle Christian Centre said they were praying for a change in Alexandra.
“We want all bad things to stop, things such as gender-based violence, crime, killing, unemployment, and bullying of kids,” Riyandane added.
“If we don’t do anything about things that are happening around us then they will keep getting worse. So as different organisations that formed the #Hope4Alex campaign, we decided to call a prayer walk so that we can say, ‘let us start creating change in Alex.”
He said organisations did try and fight the social ills affecting Alexandra but they needed prayer at the forefront.
Speaking to Alex news, he said the walk was just the beginning to cast evil spirits out in Alex as they were planning on having gatherings once a month to pray for Alex at Ikemeleng Youth Centre.
He added that unemployment was one of the big social ills that was affecting Alex and it was also the cause of crime.
“If people are hungry and they are unemployed, most of them turn to crime for survival. Some abuse their spouses because they are frustrated and have nothing to keep them busy.”