When this mother stood up to gangsters, her community began healing

There’s more to Hanover Park than gang violence. Alcardo Andrews was certain of that. Although decades of tyranny from mobsters left his community frustrated and angry, Alcardo looked beyond the negativity. Hoping for peace, he often encouraged perpetrators to transform their lives for the better. Yet in 2015, tragedy struck. The 27-year-old was killed by the very same scourge he stood against. Alcardo’s mother, Avril Andrews, was determined that his dream to help his neighbourhood wouldn’t die with him.

“I had to make a choice,” Avril says. “Move out of the community, or stay and do something.” She began inviting mothers to her home, providing a safe space to speak about their experiences of gang violence. With her guidance, even those who sought revenge realised that healing was the only way forward. Just months after losing her son, Avril launched Moms Move for Justice, a tenet of the Alcardo Andrews Foundation, to continue his activism in the Cape Flats. 

United, the group made headlines in 2019 when they marched to Parliament to vocalise their grievances against gang violence. Avril intends to join forces with authorities to end criminal activity. “The work I do keeps my son’s spirit alive,” she says. As she carries out his plan for upliftment, Avril is offering families a chance to heal and giving hope to the next generation.