Book explores drivers of gang violence

Karen Watkins|Published 5 months ago

Ziyanda Stuurman of Sea Point, left, engaged in conversation with author Dariusz Dziewanski of the CBD at the launch of his new book at the Book Lounge.

At the launch of Gang Entry and Exit in Cape Town: Getting Beyond The Streets in Africa’s Deadliest City, Dariusz Dziewanski engaged in conversation with public policy, policing, and security analyst Ziyanda Stuurman, author of Can We Be Safe?.

Held at the Book Lounge in Cape Town, CBD, Gang Entry and Exit explores the drivers behind Cape Town's notorious gang violence, which has led to the city’s ranking as the third highest in the world for murder rates, with 87% of these being gang-related in the Western Cape, according to Stuurman.

Dziewanski’s book addresses a crucial gap in research, that of understanding not only how individuals become involved in gangs but also how they can successfully exit gang life. Through the life stories of twenty-four former gang members and five years of research, the book shifts the focus from the typical poverty-crime-violence issue to one of hope and transformation. Dziewanski said his approach acknowledges the brutal realities of street culture while also demonstrating that change is possible.

As a joint winner of the 2023 ASSAf Humanities Book Award in the Emerging Researcher category, this work is a landmark in the study of gang culture.

Ziyanda Stuurman of Sea Point, left, engaged in conversation with author Dariusz Dziewanski of the CBD at the launch of his new book at the Book Lounge.

The book launch at the Book Lounge in Roeland Street was well attended.

Tamara Isles of Tamboerskloof with Mikha Gonsalves of Vredehoek, Marie Wijk of Tamboerskloof and Jitske Cnossen also from Tamboerskloof.

Enjoying the launch: Ariela Suster of Camp's Bay with Terry Crawford-Browne of Milnerton and Shameema Hoosain of Kenilworth.

Maxine Bezuidenhout, left, with Melissa Murphy, both from Woodstock.

Buying copies of the book, Access to Justice program officer, Lorenzo Wakefield of Brackenfell and former founder of Gun Free South Africa, Adele Kirsten of Muizenberg.