Thousands of Christian men unite in prayer against gang violence and drug abuse
Ivor Swartz sweeping up the crowd at Athlone Stadium.
Image: JP Crouch/ Nextis
In a powerful display of unity, thousands of Christian men from the Western Cape and beyond gathered at Athlone Stadium to pray for an end to gang violence and drug abuse.
With more than 22 000 tickets booked for the event, local gospel star Neville D led the praise and worship, while testimonies from Ivor Swartz, Johnny Davids and Angus Buchan had men in tears and turbocharged to go out and make a positive difference in their communities.
Among those who prayed for the violence and gang wars and drug abuse to end, was Jody Cupido.
Cupido and his Hope Revolution peers rocked up at the stadium in a van and a one-ton bakkie and stood out in their khakis. While their clothing attire drew attention, the work they do in the Eerste River region to combat gangsterism and drug abuse is second to none.
Jody Cupido, left, and Hope Revolution members.
Image: Dudley Carstens
Cupido said: “We are Hope Revolution from the Faure area close to Eerste River.
“We are a Christian-based recovery centre, a rehab centre, for drug abuse and gangsterism.”
You can find out more about The Hope Revolution on their Facebook page or visit their website.
While Hope Revolution’s men stood out in the stands, two men from Sons of God Reach, were dressed in their traditional Khoisan-clothes.
Jeswaine Williams and Robin Weber were born in the Mother City, both former drug addicts who found the Lord and both now spend their time in Bredasdorp.
Robin Weber, left, and Jesmaine Williams.
Image: Dudley Carstens
Williams told the Cape Argus' sister newspaper, the Daily Voice: “I was caught up in drugs and gangsterism for 17 years of my life. This month marks the 15th year of me being clean through the grace of Jesus Christ.
Weber added: “I was born and raised in Mitchells Plain. I grew up without a father and I was caught up in drugs for 13 years and even smuggled for three years.
The two then join forces and in one voice concluded: “We [at Sons of God Reach] believe no mother gave birth to a drug and no father raised a gangster.”