The International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) Southern Africa held its Loving Peace Art Competition at Bonteheuwel High School on Saturday.

Organised by the IWPG Bonteheuwel Peace Committee, the event drew over 80 pupils from 18 schools from the greater Athlone area and Mitchell’s Plain.

“Conveying a Heart of Peace to Friends Suffering from War” was the theme of the competition, and prizes were sponsored by a local business. Members of the Bonteheuwel Walking Ladies donated food.

Divided into three age groups, the children expressed their visions of a peaceful world through their art.

In the 7-to-9-year-old category, Nurah Daniels, of Habibia Primary, came first, followed by Imtisal Mosavel, of Portavue Primary, and Imraan Fortune, of Bergsig Primary.

In the 10-to-14-year-old category, Seige Human, of Disa Primary, came first followed by Thea Cedras, of Windsor High School, and Raadiyah Tiffloen, of Habibia Primary.

In the 15-to-18-year-old category, Kaede-Jade Daniels, of Arcadia High School, came first followed by Kim Hendry, of Bonteheuwel High, and Kishay McQueen, of Modderdam High.

The event was organised by Soraya Salie, chairperson of the Bonteheuwel Peace Committee, with the support of the Bonteheuwel Walking Ladies.

“I’m very excited that we could pull this off for the third time in Bonteheuwel, knowing that some people still look down on our community because of the challenges of drugs and gangsterism. I always look at the beautiful positive things happening in Bonteheuwel,” she said.

Thanking the organisers, ward councillor Angus McKenzie said: “Today we celebrate 40 days without a single gang-related murder, which is an amazing achievement for our community. That passion, hard work, relentlessness, and dedication must now continue.”

The IWPG is a global women’s non-profit organisation dedicated to realising sustainable world peace by fostering global solidarity, promoting a culture of peace, providing women’s peace education, and advocating for necessary legal and systemic changes.

The winners in the 10-to-14-year-old category are, from left, Raadiyah Tiffloen in third place, Seige Human in first place and Thea Cedras in second place.

From left, are, Kishay McQueen, who came third in the 15-to-18-year-old category, organiser Soraya Salie, winner Kaede-Jane Daniels, and Kim Hendry, who came second.

Eighty pupils from 18 schools took part in the art competition.

The Bonteheuwel Walking Ladies performed a peace dance.