How a young police constable is uplifting Kraaifontein's youth

A young Kraaifontein police constable has launched a Youth Day beauty pageant to inspire local youth, continuing his efforts to uplift the community beyond his official duties.

Kwayo Louw, 30, is the founder of Kraailove community group, which primarily helps with crime prevention efforts in Kraaifontein and other community development projects. 

Earlier this year, Northern News reported that the group organised a Valentine's date for an elderly couple in February.

During Covid-19 in 2020, Constable Louw used his earnings and bought food parcels for needy families.

He said he is currently busy collecting school shoes and sanitary towels to be distributed to support school pupils. 

Constable Louw was born on September 26, 1994, and is the second-born of four siblings.  

As a young pupil at Scottsdene High School, he founded “Kraailove” in 2008, which now has over 180 000 followers on Facebook. 

After matriculating in 2013 and earning a Social Auxiliary Work diploma from Hugenote College, he joined the South African Police Service (SAPS) in 2016. 

He completed his training at the SAPS Philippi Training Academy and served seven years with the Railway Police before joining the Maitland Flying Squad, where he continues to serve.

His efforts earned him the 2023 Western Cape “Man of the Year” Award and the 2024 “Operational Member of the Year” award at the SAPS Provincial Excellence Awards. 

“These efforts have significantly strengthened trust between the police and the community, resulting in vital intelligence and the successful recovery of firearms, ammunition, and stolen vehicles.

“Driven by the belief that SAPS represents the last line of hope for many, Constable Louw leads with humility and unwavering commitment, serving his community not only as an officer of the law but as a symbol of hope, resilience and change,” said the Western Cape police in its tribute to Constable Louw.

They further confirmed that he confiscated more than 50 illegal firearms and brought numerous offenders to justice in the past financial year alone. 

Asked to share a message for youth, Constable Louw said: “When you start achieving stuff in life, you start becoming the topic. You will always get people who are jealous and who do not want to see you move forward in life. I am grateful that I learned all of this at a young age.”

The inaugural Mr & Miss Kraailove 2025 beauty contest will take place on Youth Day, Monday, June 16, at 2pm at the Uniting Reformed Church (VGK), Traviata Avenue in Scottsdene.