Ruthy Goes To Church

South Africa, 2011

Ruth Jones worked as a cook and cleaner in a production office in Cape Town. She grew up in Manenberg, a township long associated with gang violence and drugs. Her life carried more than its share of hardship: raped as a child, raising a son who became addicted to drugs, supporting her extended family, and even spending time in prison on a false fraud charge. Her brother was convicted of rape, and at her lowest point Ruthy attempted suicide.

Determined to break the cycle for the next generation, Ruthy became an active member of her community and joined the church brigade. Every Sunday she would put on her uniform, lift her instrument — a flute — and march with the band through the township. Many of the brigade’s members were children — a deliberate effort by church leaders to give them purpose and to keep them off the streets.

Ruthy passed away in 2024 after a short illness.