Latest news with #GunFreeSouthAfrica
IOL News
03-06-2025
- General
- IOL News
Manenberg's vibrant clean-up initiative marks World Peace anniversary
Residents from Manenberg cleaning the field Image: Supplied The community of Manenberg came alive recently as residents, local officials, and peace advocates gathered to commemorate the 12th Anniversary of the Declaration of World Peace by HWPL. This energetic community clean-up and engagement event was co-hosted by HWPL, Gun Free South Africa, the Lerato Family Foundation, Soka Gakkai International, the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG), and the International Women's Peace Group (IWPG). As part of the ambitious 'Peace My City' campaign, the gathering marked the second Peace Zone initiative in Cape Town's high-crime areas this May. The day was filled with a palpable sense of unity and purpose. Participants were generously served meals donated by the Food for Life Initiative from the Hare Krishna movement, complemented by refreshments provided by the Mustadafin Foundation. Designed as more than just a symbolic gesture, the initiative aimed to unite citizens and exemplify the true meaning of peace through community action and sustainable development. Supported by Ward Councillor Deidree de Vos, local NGOs, and revered religious leaders, residents banded together with a shared vision of reclaiming public spaces for safety, youth development, and a long-lasting transformation within their community. The event drew a notable crowd, including Councillor Axolile Notywala, fostering an atmosphere of hope and collaboration. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Volunteers cleaning the area in Manenberg Image: Supplied The clean-up was effectively coordinated by the Peace My City Committee, prominently featuring Councillor Mzwakhe Nqavashe and former editor Aziz Hartley, who ensured seamless participation from the community. This initiative arose in response to expressed desires for hands-on peacebuilding activities, particularly following recent community dialogues addressing gender-based violence and peace education. In a heartfelt moment, Patsy Daniels articulated her emotional connection to the event, underscoring community ownership in maintaining cleanliness in their neighbourhood. Her spirits were lifted upon learning that six local officials would be appointed to help manage waste and curb illegal dumping. Volunteers receiving food at the food distribution point Image: Suppled Nqavashe conveyed optimism about the growing impact of the Peace My City Project, noting how an increasing number of community members are stepping forward. He encouraged everyone to commit just a few hours over the weekend to help keep public spaces safe and clean. One local resident, inspired by the volunteers' efforts, issued a call to action for the rest of the community to join in, linking a cleaner environment to enhanced safety and crime reduction. Hartley lauded the dedication exhibited by the volunteers, emphasising the need for collective responsibility. 'It doesn't matter who made the mess,' he said, 'what matters is that we did our part.' This sentiment resonated with many, as the clean-up not only beautified the area but also fostered a renewed spirit of communal responsibility. A group picture of some of the volunteers who help with the cleanup in Manenberg Image: Supplied The resulting Peace Zone will serve as a community-owned haven for sports, cultural activities, and inclusive dialogue essentials, responding strategically to decades of violence and social instability. As part of HWPL's Legislate Peace campaign, this collective effort reinforces cross-sector partnerships throughout the city, showcasing the transformative power of grassroots peacebuilding.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Yahoo
Pastor abducted at gunpoint while delivering sermon
Gunmen in South Africa have abducted a U.S. missionary from his church as he was delivering a sermon, police and a colleague said Friday. Pastor Josh Sullivan was abducted late Thursday at the Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell outside the coastal city of Gqeberha in what appeared to be a kidnapping for ransom, a colleague told AFP. Kidnappings, including by criminal gangs that target people for whom large ransoms can be demanded, have been increasing in South Africa in recent years. "It is alleged that while a sermon was conducted at the church, four armed and masked male suspects entered the church," police said in a statement. "They robbed two cell phones and then took the 45-year-old male pastor with them and fled the scene." Rev. Jeremy Hall, a pastor also based in the southeastern city, told AFP the abduction was probably "financially related." Sullivan was holding a prayer meeting with about 30 people, including his wife and six children, when the armed kidnappers entered, Hall said. "They knew him by name," he said. They took him at gunpoint and forced him into his car and drove off. The abandoned car was recovered about a mile from the church. Sullivan arrived in South Africa with his family from Tennessee in November 2018, according to his personal website. "We are looking to finish language school soon and plant a church to the Xhosa speaking people," he writes on his site. Sullivan has been on the staff at Fellowship Baptist Church in Maryville, Tennessee, since February of 2012, according to the website. "Please pray for Josh Sullivan, missionary to South Africa," the church wrote on its Facebook page. The police anti-gang unit said a Chinese national was also kidnapped Tuesday in the city, which is on the Indian Ocean and about 570 miles southeast of Johannesburg. There were more than 17,000 kidnappings in South Africa in the 2023-2024 financial year, an 11-percent increase over the previous year, according to police statistics. South Africa has also been plagued by escalating gun violence. Each day, 33 people are killed by guns in South Africa, according Gun Free South Africa, a nonprofit advocating for reduced gun violence. Gayle King opens up before spaceflight: "I'm looking forward to just floating in space" Greenland | 60 Minutes Archive What to know about presidential physicals and how much is shared
CBS News
11-04-2025
- CBS News
U.S. pastor abducted at gunpoint while delivering sermon in South Africa: "They knew him by name"
Gunmen in South Africa have abducted a U.S. missionary from his church as he was delivering a sermon, police and a colleague said Friday. Pastor Josh Sullivan was abducted late Thursday at the Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell outside the coastal city of Gqeberha in what appeared to be a kidnapping for ransom, a colleague told AFP. Kidnappings, including by criminal gangs that target people for whom large ransoms can be demanded, have been increasing in South Africa in recent years. "It is alleged that while a sermon was conducted at the church, four armed and masked male suspects entered the church," police said in a statement. "They robbed two cell phones and then took the 45-year-old male pastor with them and fled the scene." Rev. Jeremy Hall, a pastor also based in the southeastern city, told AFP the abduction was probably "financially related." Sullivan was holding a prayer meeting with about 30 people, including his wife and six children, when the armed kidnappers entered, Hall said. "They knew him by name," he said. They took him at gunpoint and forced him into his car and drove off. The abandoned car was recovered about a mile from the church. Sullivan arrived in South Africa with his family from Tennessee in November 2018, according to his personal website . "We are looking to finish language school soon and plant a church to the Xhosa speaking people," he writes on his site. Sullivan has been on the staff at Fellowship Baptist Church in Maryville, Tennessee, since February of 2012, according to the website. "Please pray for Josh Sullivan, missionary to South Africa," the church wrote on its Facebook page. The police anti-gang unit said a Chinese national was also kidnapped Tuesday in the city, which is on the Indian Ocean and about 570 miles southeast of Johannesburg. There were more than 17,000 kidnappings in South Africa in the 2023-2024 financial year, an 11-percent increase over the previous year, according to police statistics. South Africa has also been plagued by escalating gun violence. Each day, 33 people are killed by guns in South Africa, according Gun Free South Africa , a nonprofit advocating for reduced gun violence.
