Residents step up against social ills
Children from different schools and the surrounding communities walked the five kilometres with their parents and teachers.
Edenvale residents joined hands and walked for a cause on Sunday, March 8.
As one of the Tiles4Change initiatives, residents we able to walk five kilometres during the 2015 Sarens Edenvale Marathon to raise awareness about various social ills in the community.
Some of the problems identified included drug abuse, human trafficking, domestic violence the scourge of drugs in local schools.
Children from different schools and the surrounding communities walked the five kilometres with their parents and teachers.
Tiles4Change is an initiative between the Bedfordview and Edenvale News, Karaglen Shopping Centre, Karaglen Spar, author Shani Krebs, singer Garth Taylor and different schools.
Mr Harry Karamichael, one of the campaign leaders, said the campaign is against drugs, bulling at schools, domestic violence and animal cruelty.
“This is to unify Edenvale in the fight against drugs, child abuse and other social ills,” said Mr Karamicheal.
As part of the campaign, Podumo Mathibe from Eastliegh Primary School was awarded with year’s bursary.
Podumo’s name was selected from the hundreds of children who participated in the walk.
He could not hide his excitement when his number was called.
“Thank you, thank you. I was walking against child abuse. To you, the victims, report it. Do not keep quiet. Report what is happening to the police, to your parents or to teachers. Someone will do something about it,” said Podumo.
His mother, Ms Elizabeth Mothibe, said the bursary would bring some much-needed relief to the family.
“We will now be able to do things for him which we could not do before. I hate drugs, especially as they are sold to our children at schools. It is a problem,” she said.
She called on everyone to play a role in the fight against drugs.
“Drug trafficking must stop. It starts with one person. Start by reporting what you see or know. With just one report, this may be solved,” she added.
Mr Rama Sehoole commended the organisers of the campaign.
“This is a campaign needed by the whole country. I wish it could spread to other communities. Drugs are destroying our nation,” said Mr Sehoole.
