CPF Flowers help bring change
Primrose CPF Flowers take a stand and make a difference in the community.
Byline: Leigh Hodgson
Many residents of Primrose agree that prostitution and drugs remain a serious problem in the area.
With this in mind, Emilia Duarte-Potgieter, with the help of Brenda Els, began the Primrose CPF Flowers in October 2016, with the full support of the Primrose CPF.
“For years, residents have complained about the state of affairs in the area and now we are taking a stand and doing something about it,” Emilia said.
The Flowers is a group of residents who meet each night at various intersections on Beaconsfield Avenue, a known hot spot for prostitutes, and socialise.
This may seem strange, but Emilia explained the reasoning behind it.
“The initiative was first started by Andrew Boyley, and saw residents meeting at various intersections and just chatting and socialising.
“Usually the groups would target corners across from known prostitutes, making them feel uncomfortable, as well as making it hard for them to pick up clients.
“The Primrose CPF Flowers was born from this idea with the purpose of covering more of the area and more sectors” she explained.
Members ensure that they do not confront the prostitutes, pimps or clients; they are simply in the area in the hope that their presence will make it difficult for them to conduct their business.
The Flowers alternate their patterns, meeting points and times as much as possible so that the women and their pimps cannot pick up trends and the project continues to work.
“We have seen a positive response from the community and good results in Beaconsfield Avenue.
“We believe that drugs and prostitution do go hand in hand and hope that we will be able to make a difference in the community and snuff out both problems,” Emilia said.
The group are supported by the local authorities as well as other organisations, one of which is local security company Top Security, whose employees volunteer to help with the project.
Tania Rabie, security advisor at the company, said: “We loved the project and the fact that the community was coming together to take a stand.
“The area feels safer and we love to see the difference the group has made, and hope to continue to support the cause for as long as we can.”
The company’s officers will assist with patrols in the area at least once a week, assisting the Flowers with extra security.
AJESU Ministries, based in Violet Street, has also met with the Flowers recently.
It is hoped that this meeting will lead to a new chapter in the project.
As a ministry, they have been marching through the streets of Primrose, each Thursday, dressed in red and shouting “Primrose Jesus Christ”.
Laurelle Stopforth, an evangelist at the ministry, explained why they have been doing this: “We grew concerned for the youth and community of Primrose and believe that everyone needs faith.
“We decided to march to create awareness for what is happening in the area and bring the community together.
“We want the community to know that God is in the area, and we are just amazed at how he works behind the scenes,” she said.
As for the future of the CPF Flowers, Emilia plans to continue their efforts until they are no longer needed.
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