Around 1 500 school children closed off Baker Road in Edenglen on Friday to stand up against drug abuse, human trafficking, domestic violence and bulling in schools.
The 2014 Tiles4Change march saw an increase in support as the number of pupils doubled from the previous year.
In addition, Spar Group and the Edenvale Rand Road Warriors joined the team as sponsors.
Members of the community and businesses joined in on the day as the march kicked off from Horwood’s Farm.
Children were treated to a hijacking demonstration by the SAPS and members of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD).
Leading the group from Horwood’s Farm was the EMPD Equestrian Unit.
This year’s march was led by Mr Shani Krebs who, at the age of 52, was released from a Thai prison after serving 18 years for drug smuggling.
He was arrested on April 26, 1994, after being caught with 1.2 kilogrammes of heroin at Bangkok’s international airport.
He was 34 at the time and sentenced to death.
At the Karaglen Shopping Centre, the children were treated to entertainment, goodie bags and eye-opening speeches by this year’s guests which included Gareth Potgieter, a former drug addict, and musician Garth Taylor.
Through Tiles4Change, community leaders will educate and assist children before they are caught in the grasp of substance abuse, domestic violence and bullying.
Building up from last year, which saw over 800 pupils stand up against drugs, this year the march will aim at encouraging children to change their bad habits for good ones and incorporate sports into their daily activities.
Tiles4Change was started as a partnership between the Karaglen SuperSpar, Karaglen Centre, The Bedfordview and Edenvale News, the Edenvale SAPS and Pizzazz Entertainment.
The initiative aims to give children a support structure from which they can stand up against issues which affect them daily.
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Edenvale SAPS station commander, Colonel Eddie Trollip, head of crime prevention for Edenvale, Lieutenant Colonel Robbie Roberst and Mr Harry Karamichael watch as the children are entertained.
Over 1 500 school pupils from around Edenvale marched from Horwood’s Farm to Karaglen Shopping Centre on Friday in the 2014 Tiles4Change campaign. The children took the opportunity to march against drug abuse, human trafficking, domestic violence and bullying in schools.
Former drug mule Mr Shani Krebs chats to Edenvale police officer, Constable Bradley Goldblatt during the march.
Over 1 500 school pupils from around Edenvale marched from Horwood’s Farm to Karaglen Shopping Centre on Friday in the 2014 Tiles4Change campaign. The children took the opportunity to march against drug abuse, human trafficking, domestic violence and bullying in schools.
Over 1 500 school pupils from around Edenvale marched from Horwood’s Farm to Karaglen Shopping Centre on Friday in the 2014 Tiles4Change campaign. The children took the opportunity to march against drug abuse, human trafficking, domestic violence and bullying in schools.
Over 1 500 school pupils from around Edenvale marched from Horwood’s Farm to Karaglen Shopping Centre on Friday in the 2014 Tiles4Change campaign. The children took the opportunity to march against drug abuse, human trafficking, domestic violence and bullying in schools.
Kempton Park rapper, J-Man entertains the children at Karaglen Shopping Centre.
Children arrive at Karaglen Shopping Centre.
Over 1 500 school pupils from around Edenvale marched from Horwood’s Farm to Karaglen Shopping Centre on Friday in the 2014 Tiles4Change campaign. The children took the opportunity to march against drug abuse, human trafficking, domestic violence and bullying in schools. Holy Rosary School girls pose with Mr Harry Karamichael and South African singer, Garth Taylor.
Over 1 500 school children sang We are the World as Mr Harry Karamichael was presented with a banner signed by 504 pupils from Eastleigh Primary School.
The Edenglen Junior Drummies show off their skills.
Over 1 500 school pupils from around Edenvale marched from Horwood’s Farm to Karaglen Shopping Centre on Friday in the 2014 Tiles4Change campaign. The children took the opportunity to march against drug abuse, human trafficking, domestic violence and bullying in schools.
Over 1 500 school pupils from around Edenvale marched from Horwood’s Farm to Karaglen Shopping Centre on Friday in the 2014 Tiles4Change campaign. The children took the opportunity to march against drug abuse, human trafficking, domestic violence and bullying in schools.
Edenvale resident and former drug addict, Mr Gareth Potgieter, Mrs Jackie Allen, Lieutenant Colonel Robbie Roberts, Colonel Eddie Trollip, Mr Harry Karamichael, Clr Heather Hart, former drug mule Mr Shani Krebs and South African singer Mr Garth Taylor pose before the march.
Over 1 500 school pupils from around Edenvale marched from Horwood’s Farm to Karaglen Shopping Centre on Friday in the 2014 Tiles4Change campaign. The children took the opportunity to march against drug abuse, human trafficking, domestic violence and bullying in schools.
A tearful Mrs Dennise Beatie receives a cheque for R102 000 for the Edenvale SPCA courtesy of the the former Edenvale business forum.
Over 1 500 school pupils from around Edenvale marched from Horwood’s Farm to Karaglen Shopping Centre on Friday in the 2014 Tiles4Change campaign. The children took the opportunity to march against drug abuse, human trafficking, domestic violence and bullying in schools.
Over 1 500 school pupils from around Edenvale marched from Horwood’s Farm to Karaglen Shopping Centre on Friday in the 2014 Tiles4Change campaign. The children took the opportunity to march against drug abuse, human trafficking, domestic violence and bullying in schools.
Over 1 500 school pupils from around Edenvale marched from Horwood’s Farm to Karaglen Shopping Centre on Friday in the 2014 Tiles4Change campaign. The children took the opportunity to march against drug abuse, human trafficking, domestic violence and bullying in schools.
Mr Harry Karamichael and Mr Shani Krebs at Karaglen Shopping Centre.
Children arrive at Karaglen Shopping Centre.
Over 1 500 school pupils from around Edenvale marched from Horwood’s Farm to Karaglen Shopping Centre on Friday in the 2014 Tiles4Change campaign. The children took the opportunity to march against drug abuse, human trafficking, domestic violence and bullying in schools.
Over 1 500 school pupils from around Edenvale marched from Horwood’s Farm to Karaglen Shopping Centre on Friday in the 2014 Tiles4Change campaign. The children took the opportunity to march against drug abuse, human trafficking, domestic violence and bullying in schools. Pupils from Hurlyvale Primary School show off their banners.
At Horwood’s Farm the children were treated to a hijacking demonstration by members of the SAPS as well as the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department’s (EMPD) equestrian unit.
Despite the wind the Edenglen Junior Drummies put on a stellar performance for fellow school pupils at Karaglen Shopping Centre.
Children arrive at Karaglen Shopping Centre.
Edenvale resident and former drug addict, Mr Gareth Potgieter chat to the children at Karaglen Shopping Centre.
Former drug mule, Mr Shani Krebs chats to school pupils about spending 18 years in a Thai prison.
Over 1 500 school pupils from around Edenvale marched from Horwood’s Farm to Karaglen Shopping Centre on Friday in the 2014 Tiles4Change campaign. The children took the opportunity to march against drug abuse, human trafficking, domestic violence and bullying in schools.
Over 1 500 school pupils from around Edenvale marched from Horwood’s Farm to Karaglen Shopping Centre on Friday in the 2014 Tiles4Change campaign. The children took the opportunity to march against drug abuse, human trafficking, domestic violence and bullying in schools.
Over 1 500 school pupils from around Edenvale marched from Horwood’s Farm to Karaglen Shopping Centre on Friday in the 2014 Tiles4Change campaign. The children took the opportunity to march against drug abuse, human trafficking, domestic violence and bullying in schools.
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