Today marks one week since the disappearance of Shaskia Michaels of Tafelsig, Michell’s Plain. Almost a year ago, her young neighbour, Kauthar Bobbs, aged five years disappeared in a very similar manner.

Mustadafin Foundation will be hosting a Candle Light Vigil tonight, 12 September at 7pm in Langeberg Street, Tafelsig where these little girls lived. We invite the community in Cape Town to come out in their numbers and say NO to violence against children.

By lighting a candle, saying a prayer and standing together, we say with one voice that all children should be safe, and it is the responsibility of ALL people to protect them. We raise our voices in a call for peace and safety for all children, and show solidarity with those parents who are suffering from this kind of loss and the families and communities that are devastated by this type of violence.

The local mosques, churches, crime forum and neighbourhood watch will all join in sending out this message of peace, safety and unity.

Will you rise up too?