The community of Valencia in Addo in the Eastern Cape held a church service to bring unity and peace in the community. This after the violent attacks between locals and foreign nationals, last month.

Four people died and several people were injured following the violence.

The church service dubbed Mega Memorial Service was organised by the Valencia Spiritual Forum. 

Four weeks after the tragic violence shook the community of Valencia, residents gathered to remember the lives of those lost in the attacks. The attacks were, allegedly, sparked by the killing of a local man by foreign nationals at a tavern.

Amidst the somber reflections was Gerald September,  a father, who lost his son, Juanne September, during these violent attacks.  

September says his son’s death is not in vain, but a catalyst for unity in Valencia.

“This means a lot and I’m so glad for the community forum. And in all of this, my desire and my hope is that the passing of my son, it must be for a reason. And so, today is just a step forward for us to recognize as a family (what) the purpose of his death was,” he says.

In their ongoing efforts to bring peace and healing to the community, Deputy Chairman of Valencia Spiritual Forum, Apostle Morné Seronne, says as church leaders they have taken a significant step by mobilising various stakeholders to organize the Mega Memorial Service.

“We thought we need to make an impact as church leaders to bring peace and calm,” says Seronne.

One of the foreign nationals, Gibson Ndoro, from Zimbabwe welcomed this initiative.

“I’m pleased to be here and this is definitely going to unite our, you know, the Zim community. It’s a good move. We all welcome it,” says Ndoro. 

More programs are underway to bring unity in Valencia. This while police are also continuing to monitor the area.