The 18th of July is celebrated as Mandela Day in South Africa. It is an opportunity many South Africans use to serve their countrymen and lend a hand in communities other than their own.
To celebrate this special day, Usapho Indlu organised a “We Serve” project for Saturday, 16 July. A number of volunteers from the broader George community arrived in Thembalethu to join hands with local residents. Sally Versfeld (Usapho Indlu director) encouraged the eager group, including numerous local children, with the words that “in giving, you receive.”
Armed with paint brushes, brooms, spades and some delicious refreshments, the volunteers focused on three main projects – including two gardens and one house exterior – that had been identified by 36th Street residents.
The Holy Trinity Ministries church’s garden got a facelift which included donated car tyres filled with compost and edible plants, along with a new fig tree, which not only added curb appeal but will also provide food for the future. It was an opportunity to teach Usapho Indlu’s children – who attend extra educational classes and Bible study lessons at this location – how to prepare and plant their own sustainable gardens.
The exterior of the Sokoyi family’s house was primed and painted, a leaking tap was remediated, and a garden with compost heaps was added in the sloped front yard. The family, which is five girls being raised by their elderly grandparents, can now enjoy a functional and pretty garden whilst also saving water.
While the volunteers were moving between the different project sites, another local parent whose young daughter attends Usapho Indlu programs, approached the team to draw their attention to her house. As a single mother, Dores is trying to rebuild her home which was ravaged after the recent storms. She’s been able to put up a one-roomed wooden structure next to their original dwelling but is hoping to rebuild their first home so that her son, Soso, a volunteer firefighter, can move in there.
Dores’ neighbour is another single mom, Janine Alaart, who recently lost most of her sight. Gardening volunteers at Janine’s house included Lina Meswatie, from Maraiskamp, who says, “it’s a pleasure to help her out.” Lina admits she is paying forward some of the help she received in the past to turn her own life around. Margo Johnson, Sally Versfeld’s mom, shared her love of gardening with Lina many years ago. Lina recently started her own nursery and contributed seedlings to Saturday’s projects.
Although the day was seen as a success by everyone involved, the hope is that more seeds were planted in the hearts of others to “be the change we want to see” in the future.
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