Residents of Ekurhuleni have taken a firm stand against the scourge of human trafficking by participating in a global awareness initiative. On Saturday, 19 October, people across the world united for **Walk for Freedom Day**, an event aimed at raising awareness about the grim reality of human trafficking. More than 350,000 participants from over 500 cities worldwide took part, walking in single file while holding signs and distributing flyers to inform the public about human trafficking and ways to combat it.
In Ekurhuleni, participants gathered for the event, walking from **Ndaba Tree in KwaThema** to **Wright Park in Springs**. The event not only highlighted the dangers of human trafficking but also served as a powerful reminder of the ongoing search for missing children, including Amahle Thabethe.
### Remembering Amahle
One of the key figures behind the Ekurhuleni event, **Nthabiseng Matee**, emphasized the significance of remembering those like Amahle, an eight-year-old girl who disappeared in April 2019 while playing with friends in Tsakane. Nthabiseng said, “We have human traffickers living among us. We have sisters who are lured by these traffickers with promises of jobs, only to be captured into sex slavery. This walk is also to remember Amahle, who disappeared several years ago and hasn’t been found to this day.”
Amahle’s disappearance remains unsolved, with her case serving as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of children to trafficking. The event brought attention to how traffickers often exploit children for both sexual exploitation and forced labor.
### The Global Human Trafficking Crisis
The United Nations has issued multiple reports warning about the dangers of human trafficking, especially for children. One such report revealed that children are among the most detected victims of trafficking globally. The report also indicated a disturbing trend: while girls are primarily trafficked for sexual exploitation, boys are increasingly being trafficked for forced labor. In fact, the number of boys trafficked has risen fivefold over the past 15 years.
Events like the Walk for Freedom aim to shine a spotlight on this growing issue and mobilize communities to be vigilant and protect vulnerable individuals from traffickers.
### Local Participation and Awareness
Participants in the Walk for Freedom in Ekurhuleni carried banners and handed out informational pamphlets, hoping to educate others about the dangers of human trafficking and how to identify and report suspicious activity. The goal of the walk was not only to raise awareness but also to encourage community members to take action against this heinous crime.
Human trafficking is a crime that often occurs in the shadows, with traffickers preying on the most vulnerable. Events like these aim to bring the issue to light, reminding the public of the dangers and the need for a collective effort to combat trafficking and protect victims.https://twitter.com/ntebatse_SNL24/status/1848074691363369351?s=19
For residents of Ekurhuleni, Amahle’s story remains a haunting reminder of the ongoing battle against human trafficking. While efforts continue to find her and others like her, the Walk for Freedom serves as a critical platform to educate and engage the public in the fight to end human trafficking once and for all.