Department and Community Fight Crime Together

The communities of Napier and Bredasdorp pledged their solidarity with the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) and other departments to fight crime using sport. This formed part of the Anti-Gang Awareness campaign which was held at the Napier Sports Ground on Saturday, 1 December 2012.

Hundreds of people from the area participated in a march through surrounding communities to raise awareness about various social ills. HIV tests were conducted by the Department of Health on the occasion of World AIDS Day.

Local youth participated in netball and five-a-side soccer matches and there was a high level of healthy interaction between players. Sport equipment was handed over to the Napier Youth Development organisation, while participants received certificates and winners received medals for their efforts.

DCAS is committed to providing the youth with alternatives to drugs, crime and gangsterism. Mr Colin Cedras of Club Development said the day was about showing the youth that there are positive ways to enjoy life through fun-filled sport activities. “It is important to encourage young people to engage in sport and to live a healthy lifestyle”, Cedras said. He echoed the message, “A child in sport is a child out of court”.

Mr Jeremy Davids of Napier Youth Development said the sports equipment the organisation has received will make it possible for many young people in the area to engage in organised sporting activities. This will help to uplift the community.

The Departments of Correctional Services and Social Development, South African Police Service (SAPS) and welfare community organisations all made valuable contributions to the success of the event. The day brought persons from all cultural backgrounds together. It was very clear that role players can work together to make a positive difference to the lives of communities in the Western Cape.