Uthando (Love) South Africa March 2022

Our monthly newsletters aim to inspire our readers, by reflecting stories, people and community development projects which are building South Africa at grass roots level. Stories of inspiration, innovation, resilience and passion.

We hope that you enjoy reading our March edition.  

We offer heartfelt and sincere gratitude to our donors, friends and supporters for supporting Uthando’s efforts and initiatives in community building in South Africa. 

The introduction to this month’s newsletter is written by photojournalist Alexia Beckerling. Alexia has been a good friend to Uthando South Africa over many years. She spent a considerable amount of time and passion project managing the book “Abantu Abadala – Conversation with the Elders” which was published in 2015. 

It feels serendipitous that I sit down to write about my much-cherished relationship with Uthando on Human Rights Day. There is a magic that happens when James and Xolani take people on their ‘philanthropic educational excursions’. I have no doubt that this magic is created by Uthando (love) as well as, no doubt, respect for human rights. 

I am deeply grateful to have been able to document social development projects supported by Uthando since 2010 by taking photographs. On this day of reflection on human rights in South Africa, I paged through the book we produced – Abantu Abadala, Conversation with the Elders. I read again about the suffering endured by black South Africans at the hands of the apartheid government. 

As most of you will know, South African Human Rights Day marks the killing and wounding of scores of people who were protesting peacefully against the oppressive Pass laws, which were designed to control the movement of non-white people, 62 years ago. On that terrible day, one of the elders who was photographed for the book, Rhodes Dubani, was arrested and beaten because he burnt his pass. His message to the world? ‘Ubuntu’, which means give respect to all. As Dubani himself said: “Know how to take care of people and give them dignity.’’ 

Another of those photographed for the book, Ntombizifikile Regina Mlindazwe’s message is “to love each other … because when we don’t love each other, we have problems.” 

I went on an excursion with Uthando recently and was deeply impressed at the number of projects Uthando is now supporting. Even though we visited areas where hardship and poverty persist, I came away feeling so inspired, joyful and hopeful. I know others on the excursion shared my sentiments.

In times of despair and uncertainty for all of us, I am reminded that there is magic and love in the world and that transformation is possible. 

As Watson Wilson Nkolisa, another elder we photographed, said: “We need to get along, those chosen to lead us to lead, know and respect our neighbours and above all we must be happy.” 

Being able to witness the love and ubuntu on an Uthando Excursion reminded me that it is a human right to be happy. Thank you Uthando for giving so many the chance to feel happiness.  

A Flavour Odyssey Across the Rainbow Nation

On the 10th of March, Uthando hosted South African born chef, Warren Mendes and his awesome TV crew who were in SA filming a 10 part food focused documentary series for Channel Ten Australia. The series explores treasured recipes and unique flavours, through food, whilst discovering stories of the country and its people. 

Together with Uthando, the group visited the Ikhaya “Home” and Moya We Khaya “Spirit of Home” vegetable gardens in the township of Khayelitsha, where they got to learn about how the micro farmers of Cape Town are growing good quality fresh organic vegetables.  

 Chef Warren had the following to say on social media after the visit

Masibulele, Zizamele and Little C-jay’s Educare Centres – Visits to Two Oceans Aquarium

As part of our ongoing campaign to expose locals to tourist sites, Uthando sponsored the children and staff at three pre-schools , Masibulele, Zizamele and Little C-Jay’s Educare Centres, to visit the Two Oceans Aquarium in March. These children seldom get to leave the township, let alone become a tourist in their own city. Humans just need opportunity to dream, learn, grow and fulfill their potential in life, and through these visits we hope to plant these seeds. 

We would like to encourage all companies in South Africa to adopt a local community project, take them together with your staff to a local tourism site. Let your staff spend the day mixing with the community members, build sincere relationships and through these interactions you will be creating ripples of hope and nation building at a very foundational level.

The Gift of Sight for Nobendiba (Kanya) through Eyes2Eyes Foundation

Nobendiba (Kanya) is 33 years old and lives in Crossroads, Cape Town. Kanya was diagnosed with advanced keratoconus by the Groote Schuur Cornea Clinic in September 2021. Her sight cannot be helped with ordinary glasses or contact lenses. 

By the end of 2021, her eyesight had deteriorated so badly she could not see a computer screen. She failed her last subject for her N6 certificate at the College of Cape Town and had to drop out of the course.  

We are so grateful to Uthando for stepping in to help us fund highly custom designed scleral lenses to give Kanya her sight again. Her lenses are being designed and manufactured in New Zealand following your incredible donation! 

Kanya and her husband of 10 years are both unemployed - they rely on extended family for their day-to-day living. Regaining her sight means she can enroll in college again in July this year to finalize her studies and then start applying for jobs with confidence.  

Educational With Livingstone Safaris (Cape Town)

THANK YOU Livingstone Safaris for the many years of incredible support and love! The Uthando Family appreciates you greatly. 

 On the 8th of March, we hosted the Livingstone Safaris “Dream Team”. After the excursion they posted the following on social media

Uthando Supports Hanover Park Cricket Club
 

If we can get more of our boys and men in South Africa playing sport, it would truly accelerate transformation of our nation. Uthando is passionate about supporting sports organisations and recently contributed financially to new playing attire and warm-up kit for the Hanover Park Cricket Club flagship team who played in the AMA T20 Final at the Newlands Cricket Grounds. They went on to win the tournament! 

Ashraf Allie, Chairperson of the Club sent the following note: 
 
“The squad and management looked so smart in their warm-up and playing attire and we once again say a big THANK YOU to you and Uthando SA for the contribution and the amazing love and support you offer. I know it’s a cliché, however, words cannot describe what you and others mean to us as a club.”  

Ulwazi Educare -  Update

The pre-school being built out of tyres and recycled materials is attracting a lot of attention! We are making history in South Africa. 

 A big thank you to the Belmond Mount Nelson hotel for donating decent size trees to be planted in and around the brand new building.  

The roof is busy being installed and the count down to the official opening will soon begin.

Duze Nomshikashika Choir (Holland)

Uthando is super proud of our strong, durable and sincere relationships developed over many years. We have hosted the wonderful Duze NomShikaShika Choir from Holland twice. 

The choir sings all of their songs in Xhosa (one the 11 official languages in SA) and they have a very interesting origin. In 1986 a group of students from Wageningen University decided to support the anti-apartheid movement in the Netherlands by singing South African songs in front of the South African embassy in the Haig. The name of the choir was given  by the first conductor, Steve Kitson, who had South African roots. 

The meaning of the name is ‘Closer to the struggle’ and later after the collapse of apartheid it was reflected as ‘Closer to where things happen’.  

As a gesture of our friendship with the choir, we recently sent our Uthando bracelets to Holland for each of the members. Choir Director Paul Heudberger sent the following note and photograph. 
 
 

Duze NomShikaShika (singing South-African songs in the Netherlands) has warm connections with Uthando. We were in South Africa several times and have always been guided by Xolani and James in several projects in Khayelitsha. We have been singing in various places but the biggest impression we experienced in the centre with the elderly people. 

We always feel connected with Uthando in the love for the songs in the African languages and we hope to be able to return soon for another inspiring visit.

Travel Beyond (Sweden) –  Thank You From Kronendal Music Academy (KMA) Students

In December 2021, Travel Beyond paid for KMA students to return to Malawi to obtain their student visas so that they can continue their school and music careers in South Africa. 

THANK YOU Travel Beyond for the love and support over many years for the children of South Africa. THANK YOU to Dwyn? Griesel,  Director of the Kronendal Music Academy of Hout Bay, for her love, dedication and passion to improving children’s lives through music and their broader development through life skills.  

To Laicah and Brian, everyone is very proud of you, continue to reach for your dreams!

Moya We Khaya “Spirit of Home” Message to Donors

Uthando SA is supporting various micro farms and farmers. The biggest expense for the farmers is organic manure since they don’t use fertilizers, and with winter approaching, the time for composting the sea sand soil to enrich it for the months ahead, is now. 

The Moya Team sent the following note after receiving the funds from Uthando: 
 
We, the Moya team, would like to thank you for providing us with the funds for the cow manure that we required for soil enrichment. Adding cow manure to soils is an excellent way to increase soil organic matter. Soil organic matter improves soil health by increasing the soil's ability and sustainability to function as a living ecosystem. Organic matter, in addition to slowly releasing plant nutrients over time, improves soil structure and the soil's ability to hold water. Improved crop yields, reduced soil loss from wind and water erosion, and improved water quality by reducing contaminated run-off, are all benefits of healthier soils. We say, let it prosper wherever you take it. 

Uthando “Philanthropic Educational Excursion” – Quote of the Month

We just love taking visitors to see, experience and engage with the absolutely inspiring community development projects on our excursions. We also just love spending time with our visitors who come from all over the world and who are so interesting and interested.

Quotes of the month from our visitors:
 
Best Day Ever in Cape Town

What an amazing experience to learn the history of apartheid and see the seeds of love and forgiveness Mandela and the South African people have sown.

This is not just any tour. James and Xolani are true stewards of change whose non-profit organization sponsors over 60 diverse grassroot organizations in the townships of Cape Town. It was a privilege to be welcomed by some of them.

If you like dancing and singing, this tour is for you. If you like gardening, this tour is for you. If you like animals, this tour is for you. If you love children and value education, this tour is for you.

I would highly recommend it for families. Such an educational experience for young and old alike. Be prepared to laugh and be hugged often.
 
Review left by Giulia Fogliani on Google:

What a mind-blowing experience! 

Uthando supports local projects in different townships and really aims to develop and empower the individuals and the groups.

It really exceeded my expectations and I would highly recommend it. It's almost a MUST if you are visiting South Africa.

The donation is 100% worth it and they deserve even more.  Thank you so much for your time and for all the effort you are putting on this project.

“We Are Africa” – Tree Planting Day

We Are Africa is a vibrant gathering of luxury African travel brands with the mission to transform and rebrand African travel for the global luxury market. The dynamic and exciting and show is being held at the Cape Town Stadium between 17 – 20 May. On the morning of 21 May, all of the indigenous trees and plants which are to be used for decoration at the show, will be planted by delegates at Christel House School in the southern suburbs of Cape Town. 

A meeting was held recently at the school to discuss the implementation of this innovative and exciting idea.