The goal was to talk to the community about the dangers of gun ownership as well as the promotion of Gun Free Zones and also to encourage the community to act against drug abuse.
The event started at 8:00 am on Friday morning with a motorcade from The Meadowlands SAPS Station via |Zone 3, Killarney, Zone 11, Zone 01, Zone 02, Zone 07, Zone 09, Zone 10, Zone 06, Zone 04, Dube hostel, Zone 05, the Meadowlands Shopping Centre then to the Meadowlands Park. During the motorcade Thabiso Mollo from Gun Free South Africa was speaking with a loud speaker encouraging the people to rally behind Gun Free South Africa in the quest to eradicate illegal guns in their neighbourhood. He also asked the community to work hand in hand with the SAPS so that they can deal with illegal guns and drugs that are undermining the well being of the community and the South African society at large. He said for South Africa to be a safe and secure country people need to start by making their homes, neighbourhoods and township as safe as possible. He said for South Africa to be this way it needs an inclusive effort by all South Africa citizens from all walks of life. People were advised to use SAPS, CPF, Youth Desk, Gun Free South Africa and other civil organisations every time they encountered problems regarding crime.
At approximately 10h00am people started coming to the Park and two tents were erected for the participants.
Amongst the community that came to the Park were students from a local school. Pam Crowsley Chairperson of Gun Free South Africa and Godfrey Netshisaulu a Project assistant of Gun Free South Africa set up two soccer fields and arranged mini competitions of six a side. A lot of fun was had with the Inkonjani J.S.S. students;.
At noon the event was opened with a Prayer from the local Pastor.
Thandu Xaki from Gun Free South Africa was the Master of Ceremonies and introduced each Speaker.
The students sang for the community and then GFSA gave Inkonjani J.S.S. students book marks and Igun Iflop signs to put at their school. The students vowed to declare their school a gun free zone and a drug free zone. The SRC president of Inkonjani J.S.S. President Tinyiko Mbekwa said; they at time experience problems at school but they plan to keep their school a safe and secure learning institution. She also said for students not to commit crime they have to be kept busy even during their school holidays and she recommended that organisations like Gun Free South Africa, Youth Desk and other civil organisations encourage students to join their organisations for their development.
The SANCA spokes person addressed the students and the community about drug problems facing South Africa especially the youth. She begged youngsters to abstain from drugs and focus on their studies and personal development. The Chairperson of Meadowlands Youth Desk Bafana pleaded with the community to assist the Youth Desk on the quest to fight crime and bring about youth improvement for the better South Africa. He said everyone should participate in making South Africa a better country where everyone lives free of fear. He thanked the attendants for gathering in support of the event. Captain Motaung of Meadowlands SAPS crime prevention unit encouraged youngsters to use their talents and appealed to parents to know what their children are doing and participate in their lives. Thabiso Mollo fieldworker of Gun Free South Africa advised the people on how to set up gun free zones. He requested people to report illegal guns to SAPS and to Gun Free South Africa.
Three members of the community also commented on gun violence and drug abuse. They said they support Gun free South Africa, CPF, Youth Desk SANCA, SAPS as well as other organisations that fight against crime and violence.
Pam Crowsley finally gave a soccer ball to the “Best female player” and the “Best male player” as a token of appreciation. A prize of a soccer ball was also given for the best answer to the question “what alternatives to violence can we use to resolve conflict?” The prize of a soccer ball was given to a young student who said that all young people should join societies and groups in their area to help their communities.
The event was closed with a Prayer at around 3pm.
A soccer ball was also donated to the Youth Desk and CPF. All the balls were marked “Gun Free South Africa”