Bonteheuwel cleans for peace

The streets of Bonteheuwel resonated not with fear, but with hope, as more than 130 participants gathered to commemorate the 12th anniversary of Heavenly Culture, World Peace and Restoration of Light’s (HWPL) Declaration of World Peace through a community clean-up and peace-building campaign.

Jointly hosted by HWPL, Gun Free South Africa, the Lerato Family Foundation, Soka Gakkai International, International Peace Youth Group (IPYG), and International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG), the event, on Saturday May 24, marked the official launch of a new “Peace Zone” in the area. Once considered a vulnerable space, the area has now been transformed into a hub for unity, safety, and youth engagement. These Peace Zones are designed to serve as gathering spaces where young people can participate in sports, cultural, and recreational activities — fostering hope, community spirit, and social cohesion.

The initiative followed weeks of preparation, including a stakeholder meeting held on Friday May 9. At this meeting, local council members, community ambassadors, and residents collaboratively shaped the project to reflect the specific needs and realities of the community.

The event was also held to celebrate Africa Day and to demonstrate how communities can rise together to reclaim their spaces and create a culture of peace. Among the voices heard on the day were those of local children, who shared that they joined the clean-up because they wanted to keep their soccer field clean and safe, and to help end gangsterism in their neighbourhood. 

“A lot of people dump in the field, and it’s not nice for us because we play soccer there,” one young participant explained.

Aziz Hartley reflected on the historical impact of apartheid on community conditions. “What is needed is people who are brave enough to roll up their sleeves and be different. Many young people want to do good — those who came out today always want to make a difference,” he said.

Bonteheuwel Walking Ladies chairperson, Soraya Salie, described the event as a beautiful and much-needed one, emphasising that “a clean environment is a peaceful environment, and this was our way of spreading a culture of peace”. This initiative is part of the Peace My City campaign, rooted in the principles of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW), and aimed at establishing sustainable, community-led peace infrastructures. 

Spokesperson of HWPL, Chipo Magombo, said: “Bonteheuwel’s newly designated Peace Zone now stands as a powerful symbol of what is possible when residents and civil society organisations work hand in hand toward a safer future.

“In a region where gun violence remains a persistent threat — as highlighted in recent research on the drivers of firearm-related crime in Southern Africa — the work of the Peace Committee presents a compelling counter-narrative of resilience and civic empowerment. These efforts will continue to focus on addressing the root causes of violence, engaging diverse stakeholders, and empowering communities to take ownership of building safer and more harmonious environments.”