GALLERY: Prayer march against xenophobia
COSMO CITY - Hundreds march through the streets of Cosmo City to demonstrate their stand against the violent attacks on foreigners in other parts of Johannesburg.
Hundreds of people joined in an interdenominational prayer walk against xenophobia in Cosmo City, that was organised by different churches in the area.
Organiser of the prayer walk, Pastor Vuyani Gxagxama said as church leaders, they saw it fit to have a prayer walk because there is great number of foreign nationals who have found a second home in different areas, such as Honeydew. North Riding, Cosmo City, Zandspruit, Kya Sand, Diepsloot and Itsoseng. “Though our areas were not directly affected by the recent spike of xenophobic attacks, we also wanted to be proactive and tell our people that xenophobic attacks on our brothers and sisters was wrong,” explained Gxagxama. He added that it was their responsibility as preachers to use the word of God and be watchmen over the communities that they serve. “With the prayer walk we wanted to avert dangers and also be mindful of eminent dangers that may come with the attacks on foreigners,” said Gxagxama.
Acting Honeydew Cluster Commander Brigadier Wayne Sirkhot also walked with the masses. Addressing the community, Sirkhot told them about the importance of treating the foreigners as their own brothers and sisters. “We are all foreigners in this world, no one has a permanent residence on earth,” said Sirkhot. He also encouraged community members to report any criminal activities that they might be aware of in their communities, irrespective of whether they are committed by foreigners or South Africans. Pamphlets with messages supporting the stand against xenophobia were handed out. The walk started at Cosmo City Multi-Purpose Complex at the intersection of South Africa Drive and Angola Street and ended at at the intersection of Malibongwe and South Africa drives.
