Senzokuhle refuses to give in to poverty

Unemployment and poverty has failed to keep these
members of Senzokuhle down. They can be found at the
Roman Catholic Church in Chesterville.

A group of elderly women who refuse to be overcome by poverty, unemployment and idleness have got together to form a co-operative known as Senzokuhle. The Chesterville based co-operative is an
offspring of the Mazenod Development Programme. Their mission is to produce goods of a high quality that will be sold to help alleviate poverty and attract tourists to the area.

The mission statement of Senzokuhle says they aim to produce goods of high quality that will be sold and help alleviate the poverty they face.

To ensure that their co-operative succeeds, the women have sought assistance from the National Society for the Arts. The SEM Charitable Trust based in the UK has made funding for their skills development available.

Through this funding, Senzokuhle members have acquired weaving, embroidery, fabric painting and drawing skills. The production of woven wall hangings, mats and cushion covers has begun in earnest. Some of the products have been exported for sale in overseas markets.

Grace Khuzwayo, a member of the co-operative, said: “At present the NSA is helping us to sell these products without deducting commission, until we have stronger business skills. The proceeds of the sale of these products are being re-invested in the co-operative.”

Senzokuhle is also receiving business management skills from the Embo Arts and Crafts Centre in Hillcrest.

Documenting the Cato Manor experience

It is said ‘a people without a history is like a tree without roots’. Thank goodness Cato Manor has an abundance of history and lessons for all the world to know. In that vein the CMDA has undertaken a research and documentation project which is funded by the European Union to document all the lessons and experiences that have been learnt in the Cato Manor Development Project

These lessons can be used by others, both locally and internationally, who are undertaking urban development projects which are as big, if not bigger, than the Cato Manor Development Project.

The project is under the able hands of the former Chairperson of the CMDA Board of Directors, Professor Peter Robinson, assisted by a team of 25 experts (most of them academics and other renowned researchers) in urban development from various faculties in different parts of the country. The team is ready to publish close to 25 research papers from information gathered during the project.

It is envisaged that institutions of higher learning will use this material as part of their curriculum to train future generations who aspire to become professionals in the urban development.

“Apart from papers for professionals with a vested interest in urban development, a website in a language that is easy for the man on the street to understand will be made available in December, whilst the modules will start to be accessible in February 2003,” said Prof. Jeff McCarthy of the Institute for Social Economic Research at the University of Durban Westville, one of the champions of the project.

Policing the friendly way

Learners at Christopher Nxumalo Primary
are shown samples of dangerous drugs by members
of SAPS Narcotics Branch.

The South African Police Services is shedding its image as a “skiet, skop en donner” police force. Inspector Mike Zikalala, the community liaison officer and a member of the Social Crime Prevention Unit at the Cato Manor Police station, has the task of relaying this message to the community - especially the youth – who have had a negative picture of the police drummed into their minds.

The community outreach programme is a vital part in the process of reversing the outdated image of the police. The month of September has been set aside as Crime Awareness Month. First on the agenda is a visit to all schools in the area where the police will be talking to learners about drugs, domestic violence and child abuse. Inspector Zikalala hopes to engage the youth structures that are active in the area.

After interacting with teachers in the area, it was decided that drug abuse and domestic violence were core issues affecting students today. Inspector Zikalala and SANOB started their awareness campaign by
visiting all the schools in Chesterville. “The social Crime Prevention Unit is there to facilitate the process of awareness by introducing the youth with agents that are trained to assist them. The SAPS is trying to enhance its image as a community friendly organisation that has the interests of the people at heart, that is on hand to serve the community to the best of its abilities, and will assist the people but also needs the assistance of the community,” said Inspector Zikalala.