Last Saturday I spent most of the day in one of the poorest parts of Cape Town; Brown’s Farm Philippi. I came away hugely encouraged and proud to be a South African. Nkosi Sikeleli iAfrica! I often hear people using the term “grass-roots“ organizations, but only now have I come to see the power and potential of a group of people who have gained a hope for themselves and are daring to reach for their dreams.
Five or so years ago Philippi was a place that was not only wracked with crime, with more than 3 out of every 4 people unemployed, but more frighteningly it was largely without hope. People could not see beyond the misery to a better life. It was a place to leave as fast as you could. A desperate place.
That has been changing. Through many initiatives and many people 
who have dared to hope. People like Reverend Nkoloti and his wife Lulu who started a church in a shack. There is now a large brick building, a community hall and computer lab. People like Dennis & Susan Wadley from Bridges of Hope who facilitated and built the capacity in the community to care for those impacted by Aids in so many ways. People like Babalwa Jama, a young woman, who in the last few years has come not only to believe in herself, but in the future of her community.
Babalwa observed the way in which the youth were disaffected and down. Drugs and crime are an easy choice when you don’t think you’ll live beyond the age of 25. The young lad next door becomes a reckless gangster because it least it brings some fun and excitement and “a better life” – what little there is left of it. If some gangster or criminal doesn’t get you, AIDS will. So, what the $%^& eh?
Taking her heart in her hands, she approached one of the young gang leaders in her area. Terrified, she found 8 young tsotsi’s in his shack when she arrived. After teasing her awhile, they allowed her to share her vision for a better future. One thing led to another, and soon they had started a youth group, Umthi Wesizwe (the Tree of the Nation). With no place to meet, they met in shack. Soccer, drama & dance were activities they started with. Which is when Babalwa asked me if Storm could help.
The needs weren’t excessive, yet seemed so impossible at the time.
Sometimes it just takes a few phone calls to the right people, a bit of arm twisting and the realization that the amount of money they need is not beyond you. Yes, it may mean eating out a little less often, or postponing a purchase of a non-essential or two.
Two shipping containers were secured from the council and we had
them moved to the parking lot of the Ruth First Community Hall. Some paint, some waterproofing, and glass for the window, some youthful energy and they had a club house. A Jembe and some percussion items and the dance group are rocking. A few soccer and netballs, and then a soccer strip so they can join the local league and we have the beginnings of Umthi FC? Already, some youngsters moving back to Khayalitsha have started a branch there.
We’re waiting for the registration of the NPO to come through. They’re building a website. They’re on the road.
Saturday was the launch. There were representatives there from SAPS, from the Council’s Youth Development division, from the Western Cape Youth Commission, from The Business Place, from Bridges of Hope. Supportive, encouraging, positive, all of them. They even gave me a chance to say a few words. But is was the youth themselves that impressed me. The poetry was powerful, the dance infectious, the drama straight out of “Generations” – covering subjects like peer pressure, teenage pregnancy, rape, AIDS, crime. And yet beneath and behind it was hope. Some of the youngsters spoke of their dreams – one to be a choreographer, another a sound engineer, and so on. Parents, friends and members of the community applauded, whistled, cried with laughter, roared with delight.
With the grace of God these guys are doing it for themselves, yet they so desperately need resources, encouragement and role models. If you do nothing else, come out Philippi one day to see for yourself.
I’m humbled, yet proud to part of it.
May the Tree of Africa grow strong.
Stumble It!
