Tag Archive for: Township

Change Makers | Nebula Skate of Mind

 

Rayne Moses, Founder and Director of Nebula, at Nebula’s Youth Development Programme in Gugulethu,Cape Town. ©David Peter Harris

Rayne Moses, Founder and Director of Nebula, at Nebula’s Youth Development Program in Gugulethu,Cape Town. ©David Peter Harris

 

“Doing this makes my life worth living, it gives me purpose and creates possibilities for others. Experiencing the difference we make in kids’ lives as well as the joy that skateboarding brings to all of us makes me keep going.”

 

Nebula creates and facilitates a nurturing, dynamic environment where young South Africans can explore their potential and grow through experiential learning and entrepreneurial activity. Rooted in passion for skateboarding, art, design, music and dance, Nebula sources strategic partnerships and creates solutions to the social and economic challenges our youth face in their communities.

 

Kurt Daley from Nebula (right). Nebula visits the school in Gugulethu three times a week. The first hour is Circle Time, where the group sits together and academic/behavioural issues are addressed and resolved, within the circle. ©David Peter Harris

Kurt Daley from Nebula (right). Nebula visits the school in Gugulethu three times a week. The first hour is Circle Time, where the group sits together and academic/behavioural issues are addressed and resolved, within the circle. ©David Peter Harris

 

“Why do I believe it makes a difference? I can see it day by day. For example, a boy who joined our programme in 2013 is now a top performing student in his class and is growing up with a Nebula Skate of Mind!”

Nebula started off at a Gugulethu Sports Complex, but it aims to implement its youth development programs throughout Cape Town. Nebula has also developed an apparel line to fund its expansion.

If skating is your thing, or you would like to support their work, contact Rayne at Nebula or visit their Eco Atlas page.

Change Makers | Ikhaya Garden

Xolisa Bangani, Head Farmer and Founder of Ikhaya Garden at Isikhokelo Primary School in Site C, Khayelitsha, Cape Town. ©David Peter Harris

Xolisa Bangani, Head Farmer and Founder of Ikhaya Garden at Isikhokelo Primary School in Site C, Khayelitsha, Cape Town. ©David Peter Harris

 

“At first I started with the passion for nature and growing produce; now I love seeing the project running,  young people stepping up and doing great work for food security, sustainability and care for the environment here at Isikhokelo Primary School and the larger community in Khayelitsha. A tip for Social Innovators? Learn how to stay independent and local, but attract different people, from different places and you’ll see something special happening.”

Started in September 2013 as a community based organization, Ikhaya Garden in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, is an organic food gardening and sustainable living project, aiming to involve the youth by creating a connection with nature while strengthening the bond between the school and the community as part of social development. Xolisa is leading change in his community by portraying gardening as a fun, cool model that mixes art and gardening. After only a little more than year from its creation, Ikhaya Kulture has started spreading in the community in the form of other projects in Khayelitsha.

 

Contact Ikhaya Garden on their Eco Atlas page, spread the Ikhaya Kulture and join them on their next planting day/ workshop. It’s real fun!

 

 

Change Makers | Coffeebeans Routes

Iain Harris, Founder and Creative Director of Coffeebeans Routes at its Headquarters, Cape Town Creative Emporium ©David Peter Harris

Iain Harris, Founder and Creative Director of Coffeebeans Routes at its Headquarters, Cape Town Creative Emporium ©David Peter Harris

 

Coffeebeans Routes, gold winner in the category Best for Engaging People and Culture in the African Responsible Tourism Awards, is a cultural tour operator  that provides collections of stories. “When it comes to stories, we are the most equal, but they also provide ground to turn the tables on traditional assumptions  – Coffeebeans Routes is the connection between disempowered communities that are excited to share their stories, and international and local travellers hungry for narratives”, Iain Harris, Founder and Creative Director, tells us when we met him at CR Headquarters, home to Cape Town Creative Emporium.

“Why do I believe what I do makes a difference to the world? I get to hear stories that open my world in amazing ways, I feel very privileged to have this access. There is a financial benefit to it, as Coffebeans Routes offers a formalized structure with remuneration for the storytellers that values stories above everything else. There is a cultural element to it too; coming out of an economy of silence, the audience is interested, and  has warm welcoming ears  to stories in an environment where people are not usually listened to. What comes out of it is not only a financial benefit for the story tellers, but great affirmation, and this is shown by the terrific response we get from them [story tellers].”

Golden Team: Iain Harris, Natasha Moses and Kabelo Michael Letlala ©David Peter Harris

Golden Team: Iain Harris, Natasha Moses and Kabelo Michael Letlala ©David Peter Harris

“There is no sustainability without social justice. No matter what green interventions we put in place, they will not work unless society becomes socially and culturally equal. The starting point is asking yourself “How do we treat each other?”. This is also an angle that makes you see things differently, why people act the way they do. If your work is geared towards challenging and undoing inequalities through your business ethos, then you’re at a good point. After that we can look at practical interventions, like recycling and reducing. They can happen in parallel, but the one can’t happen without the other. “

Coffeebeans Routes has teamed up with Africa is a Country to present a concert series in Cape Town on the last Thursday of every month, kicking off on June 25th 2015 with Loit Sols & Churchill Naude. If you are not in the area, tune in to Africa is a Country where concerts will be live streamed. Don’t miss this opportunity to discover some of the most precious musical gems in the Mother City.

Read more on Coffeebeans Routes, make contact and book a tour via their Eco Atlas page.