The Hanover Park community braved a cold night on Sunday to gather in unity at Kariba Court to spread love, kindness and compassion.

The initiative by the non-profit organisation, Uthando (Love) South Africa, is called The Heart of Cape Town and it promotes peace and justice, among other things.

The 60 households in Kariba Court were each given a decorative heart that lights up, and they were asked to hang it on their windows. Outside, hundreds of residents gathered for a meal, motivational talks and song and dance routines.

Uthando founder James Fernie said peace was so desperately needed for Hanover Park and many other communities in South Africa.

“Uthando was established in 2008. In December last year, The Heart of Cape Town initiative started because we found that there is so much violence and separation throughout South Africa and the world.

“We have a dream to flood the world with hearts. All our emotions - kindness, peace, compassion, etcetera, all come from our hearts, and that is our unifying factor, and it is more important than race, age, or religion. Within a short space of time, we gained a lot of traction with this initiative, and we are calling on all South Africans to change their profile photo on their social media to that of a heart so that we can make a conscious shift,” Mr Fernie said.

The relationship between Uthando and the Hanover Park community started during the Covid pandemic in 2020. This was when communities partnered to support one another. Mr Fernie’s community in Harfield Village reached out to help and donated R240 000 worth of groceries and support to Hanover Park feeding projects.

“Our relationship with Hanover Park is so important to us. Many of them were probably forcibly removed from Harfield Village during apartheid, and as much as we cannot change the past, we can influence the future in a positive way,” he said.

Avril Andrews, from the Alcardo Andrews Foundation, said Mr Fernie’s “heart is definitely at the right place”.

“We met him during Covid when we as community kitchens struggled and people cried on the field because there was no food. I think this gathering came at the appropriate time because with the upcoming election, there is usually some form of fighting, and an event like this brings people together in unity, despite our religion or culture or any other differences. Our partnership with them is great, and I pray it grows from strength to strength,” Ms Andrews said.

Roberto Stemmet, from Youth Impact and Sustainable Solutions (Yiss), said the event brought about a festive feeling.

“This is a non-political movement, and the vibe we pick up here tonight is like Christmas and New Year’s celebrations. There has been no shooting tonight. The whole thing is about spreading love - especially in our homes - where we often find so much pain and struggle. God lives in Hanover Park. We want to couple the peace and love we spread here to Gaza. It has been prophesied that the fire will start in Cape Town and spread to the rest of the world,” Ms Stemmet said.

Chantal Appollis and her son Taygen, 2, were among the crowd.

The 60 households in Kariba Court hung their decorative hearts on their windows. Resident Shabierha Canan admired the colourful lights from her front door.

Leonie van der Ross, 66, was elated that she received a decorative heart as well.

Tjommies Marching Band entertained the crowd.

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Spreading love and kindness