Hundreds of runners of all ages took to the streets of Manenberg on Saturday for the inaugural Manenberg Colour Run for Hope.
Organised by Phoenix High School and Manenberg SAPS, the run promoted the health benefits of an active lifestyle as well as positive change for a community plagued by gang violence and social ills.
Phoenix High School principal Shamieg Fredericks said that he and his staff had decided to work together to stand up against social evils and help the community rise from the ashes just like the immortal bird from Greek myth from which the school takes its name.
The school is in the middle of gang hot spots and has been caught in the crossfire during gang fights in the past.
Manenberg SAPS spokesman Captain Ian Bennett, said the area had been associated with gangs and violent gang activity for too long.
“So many young people are getting hurt and dying and no one has the answer to why this is happening. Just last week, Phoenix High lost a learner to violence, yet they are called to hold the burning flame of hope for the youth. Mr Fredericks and his team, in partnership with Manenberg SAPS station commander, Brigadier Sanele Zama, decided to set the burning flame of hope for our youth even brighter.”
The runners set off from Phoenix High to Duinefontein Road and around the only traffic circle in the area, before making their way back to the school down Manenberg Avenue. During the run, colourful powdered paint was also scattered on the runners.
“The energy and positivity sent a shock wave through Manenberg. This new lease of life was even well received by our taxi association, even as we disrupted the flow of traffic, so that the young people could have a safe passage down Manenberg Avenue. Manenberg Avenue received an injection of new energy, light, spirit and a burst of colours, representing new hope. We wanted the community to visually see that Manenberg can change and the change can be immediately seen just by doing something positive,” Captain Bennett said.
Dominique Schaffers, 17, and Cassidy Jennings, 13, were joint winners when they finished the 5.6km run within 18 minutes.
The event was supported by Western Province Athletics, the City of Cape Town, the Manenberg Community Police Forum, the Manenberg Youth Desk and Moulana Saameeg Norodien.
Captain Bennett thanked Yvonne Goosen, 75, for donating 100 printed helium-filled balloons for the run.
“We need the Manenberg community to stand together for change. We are extremely grateful for the support in making our first colour run event so successful. This proves that there are many people that believe in Manenberg. We now need the people in Manenberg to believe in themselves,” Captain Bennett said.