Porcelain cups, crystal glassware and a heartfelt thanks.
This was the scene set for hundreds of specially invited guests from Eastridge, Lentegeur, Tafelsig, Beacon Valley and Woodlands at an event hosted by the Western Cape minister of community safety, Dan Plato.
The event took place at Beaconhill High School on Wednesday and was the first of nine special Women’s Month safety outreaches planned for the duration of Women’s Month. Plato is calling on communities to be vigilant about women safety along the theme “Women Persist – Men Resist” in an effort to help prevent women and child killings in communities.
The safety outreaches are set to empower women from 46 communities in partnership with police, the Department of Correctional Services, Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, the religious fraternity, South African Human Rights Council, safety partners in the Community Policing Forum, neighbourhood watches and walking bus members, as well as other non-governmental organisations.
At the event, the women heard the moving testimony of an ex-convict who had been imprisoned from the age of 16. He was in Grade 10 when he was arrested for the rape of his cousin’s friend and sentenced to 15 years in prison. He was recently released after serving 10 years.
The local Victims’ Support Unit officers also spoke to the women about the unit’s role and the assistance they offer.