PHOTOS: South African Women Gather in Silent Vigil for SA’s Fallen Angels

South African women ‎fought back yesterday with a powerful display of solidarity, standing in silent vigils at different locations around the country, all dressed in black and holding the heartbreaking list of ‘Our Fallen Angels’, the list compiled by Cape Town resident Cindy September which honours all the women and girls who have been tragically murdered in SA. Photos by Kim Bouchier.

Cindy was at the event herself, meeting many fellow members of SA Women Fight Back for the first time. SA Women Fight Back is the Facebook Page and movement that’s been founded since the brutal murder of passionate horse rider Meghan Cremer a month ago.

Cindy told SAPeople it was an incredibly “emotional moment” having a photo taken with her list at the silent protest; and that she shed many tears as “people realised who I was and started thanking me and hugging me”.

It’s made her even “more determined to continue honouring our fallen angels and to continue fighting for our right to feel and be safe in this gorgeous country. ❤️❤️❤️”

Three vigils were held in Cape Town – at Sea Point, Helderberg and Fish Hoek; whilst other vigils were held in Johannesburg, Sandton, Sunninghill, Margate, KZN, Durban, Ballito, along the Garden Route, Plettenberg Bay, Sedgefield, Mossel Bay.

Chavonne Ray, one of the executive committee members who will be heading up the portfolio of Education and Upliftment within SA Women Fight Back, told SAPeople about 300 women, men and children gathered at Sea Point Promenade where they stood united for two hours.

“We gathered for a silent vigil for our Fallen Angels. Women and children that were taken from us too soon, by acts of violence. We gathered in silence to allow their voices to be heard.

“We from SA Women Fight Back stand united against violent crime against women and children, against bail for those accused of violent crime, repeat offenders of violent crime and harsher sentencing for those convicted of violent crime.

“We stand united in wanting to make South Africa a safer place for all.

We have also put together a goal vision board of sorts, in which we would like to strive to give back to our fellow South African Women, children and all South Africans. We want to put together workshops and educational contact sessions to be able to empower our women and children.

“This was the first of many gatherings to come. Yesterday may have been the official end to Women’s Month, but who said we were only allowed a month to be heard and respected as women?”

All the photos below supplied by Chavonne Ray.

Chavonne said a website will be coming soon for all the women – and men – who would like to  take part in “our journey to achieving a safer country for ALL South Africans!”