Youth Day marred by bloodshed as Westbury and Eldorado Park youth face gunfire and fear

On a day meant to honour the courage and sacrifice of South Africa’s youth, the communities of Westbury and Eldorado Park are instead mourning the young lives lost to violence and gangsterism.

Residents say gunfire has become a daily soundtrack in their neighbourhoods, with children and teenagers bearing the brunt of ongoing turf wars. While some youths are lured into gangs, others— far too many — are simply caught in the crossfire.

This Youth Day, instead of celebration, Westbury residents are taking to the streets in protest. Marches and community-led demonstrations have been organised to demand urgent action against the escalating violence that has turned their streets into war zones.“We are tired of burying our children,” said a tearful mother in Westbury, holding up a picture of her 15-year-old son who was killed while walking home from school.

“Youth Day is supposed to be about honouring the youth, but here in Westbury, our youth are under attack.” The protest comes just days after the deaths of three teenagers in neighbouring Eldorado Park. Police have opened murder dockets and are investigating possible gang links.

The names of the victims, aged between 14 and 17, have not yet been released.“These were young people with dreams, with potential,” said one Eldorado Park teacher who asked not to be named for safety reasons.

“Now they’re statistics. That’s what hurts the most.”According to residents, gunfights often erupt in broad daylight, sometimes just metres from schools or playgrounds. While the Anti-Gang Unit has been deployed in the past, their presence has been inconsistent, and at times, met with hostility. In one recent incident, Anti-Gang Unit officers were forced to flee Westbury after being attacked during a routine patrol.

“People feel abandoned,” said community activist Jerome Daniels. “We need a long-term strategy, not just police presence for a few days after a tragedy. We need real investment in our young people, in education, in sports, in jobs.”

The protests highlight a growing frustration among residents who feel the government has failed to address the root causes of gang violence—poverty, unemployment, and a lack of opportunities. Many say they have been calling for intervention for years, but little has changed.

In both Westbury and Eldorado Park, community halls and churches have become makeshift counselling centres for grieving families and traumatised children. In schools, teachers report rising levels of anxiety among learners.

“Some of our kids have become numb to the sound of bullets,” said a high school principal in Westbury. “That’s not normal. That’s not how children should grow up.”

As Youth Day draws to a close, the demands from these communities are clear: they want safety, justice, and a future where being young doesn’t come with a death sentence.

 can’t keep waiting for another child to die before someone pays attention,” said Daniels. “Enough is enough.”