Delmas Prays for Peace and Tolerance

On thursday the community of Delmas in Mapumalanga pulled together in the main street of the small farm town to pray against violence, racism, hate and crime. 

The major of the town, Major Eva Makhabane called for the gathering after an incident that occurred a few weeks earlier. 

The town was shocked when a 5-month old baby, Wihan Botes, and his 66-year old day mother, Margrietha de Goede, was murdered.

After the murder far right members of the country held a protest and during this protest racist statements were made and the South African national flag was burned which caused an outcry from the community leaders in Delmas. According to the community leaders the protest was attended mostly by people from other towns and the march didn't represent the feeling of the town.

The Democratic Alliance held a picket in front of the Delmas Magistrates court in protest of the previous  march but the Major felt that a statement from the towns people was needed.

The Major, along with the spiritual and other leaders organised the prayer chain and asked that the people should join hands in the circle and stand black-white-black-white. Before the prayer started all the 250 people sang the national anthem together and the national flag was hoisted.

Photo: FRANCO MEGANNON 

Photo: FRANCO MEGANNON 

Photo: FRANCO MEGANNON 

Photo: FRANCO MEGANNON  

Photo: FRANCO MEGANNON 

Photo: FRANCO MEGANNON 

Photo: FRANCO MEGANNON 

Photo: FRANCO MEGANNON 

Photo: FRANCO MEGANNON 

Photo: FRANCO MEGANNON 

Photo: FRANCO MEGANNON 

For the full article you can go here:
http://www.beeld.com/Suid-Afrika/Nuus/VIDEO-Saam-teen-misdaad-Delmas-verenig-in-gebed-20120621