Women from Belgravia, Penlyn Estate, Belthorn Estate, Mountview, Pinati Estate and Crawford who volunteer on the walking bus and neighbourhood watches, dressed up and let their hair down at a gala dinner held in their honour.
Little Teen Titans, a non-profit organisation that runs a feeding scheme and is involved in an early childhood development programme at Blomvlei community centre in Hanover Park, arranged the special dinner at the Wynberg civic centre on Saturday to thank the women.
The organisation’s chairwoman, Alverina van Wyk, said the women seldom took time out for themselves, as they were always busy helping the community or their families.
“This is just our way of showing appreciation and celebrating our volunteers. We wanted to make the women feel special. They work hard and don’t expect anything in return. We asked them to come dressed in ball gowns, and this event certainly brought out the beauty in them,” Ms Van Wyk said.
Ward 48 councillor Magedien Davids arranged gifts and certificates of appreciation for the women.
“The neighbourhood watch and walking bus members are the 1% who are doing the work, while 99% of us are not,” he said. “You do this for the love of your community and not because you want a stipend. I salute you.”
Mayoral committee member for safety and security JP Smith handed out sanitary packs and thanked the women for their community spirit.
“Neighbourhood watch members have value. The power you have is in your moral authority and the knowledge of your community. I am humbled by it, and want to thank you for all you do. The ladies here see what needs to be done, and then you do it,” he said.
Constance Dirk, one of the volunteers, said it had been thrilled to dress up for the occasion.
“I felt like I was dressing up for my matric ball because I never had one,” Ms Dirk said.