Community works for common good

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - In the heart of rural Nieu-Bethesda, a group of determined individuals, under the stewardship of former policeman, Vuyolwethu Lolwana and Business Development and Digital Marketing graduate, Jazé Vywers, are broadening the role of social employment programmes and the concept of the common good.

Over 90 unemployed community members, including persons with disabilities, are part of INMED South Africa's Social Employment Fund (SEF) backed initiative, aimed at strengthening local food systems.

After receiving training, they established food gardens to support vulnerable households and school children with fresh food.

They recently expanded their focus to a project that would benefit future generations by renovating the local school, Lettie de Klerk Primary.

This ambitious undertaking, spearheaded by Lolwana and Vywers, has revitalised the school, creating a more conducive learning environment and injecting a renewed sense of pride into the community.
Principal Fredrika Christoffels, overjoyed by the transformation, expressed gratitude for the SEF participants' efforts.

"The success of this renovation speaks to the incredible resilience and creativity of the Nieu-Bethesda SEF participants. It highlights the transformative power of innovative social programmes when the community is driving it. We are truly grateful to the SEF for enabling us to unearth this potential,' says Unathi Sihlahla, executive director of INMED South Africa.

Now, the group has set their sights on an even bigger goal: to register as a cooperative. This formal structure will allow them to tap into local infrastructure maintenance opportunities, opening doors to new revenue streams and sustaining the momentum they've already generated.

An SEF participant painting a mural at the school.