Democracy’s impact on community development

The Democracy Bus has conducted visits to the Free State, Northern Cape, Western Cape, Eastern Cape and now KwaZulu Natal. During these trips, the bus went to villages and towns which, for the most part, are rarely heard of in media or otherwise. These trips have brought light to the democratic government’s far- reaching impact.

Ixopo
During a visit to Ixopo, we came across an organisation called Woza Moya Community Development. The organisation began in 2002 during the height of the HIV / AIDS pandemic when information was scarce, and the stigma of those infected and affected was perpetuated mainly by word of mouth. Woza Moya was then established to educate the community on the virus, assist with access to medication and provide support to households where children were orphaned by the pandemic.

"When we started, we were just doing what we needed to do, we did not know where we were going, we were not qualified and we worked from pamphlets and information from qualified people," said Jane Nxasana, one of the three Woza Moya founders. 

Since then, Woza Moya also opened an Early Childhood Development Centre (ECD), and it is currently the only ECD Centre in the area. Woza Moya also assists the community with various necessary issues like food gardens to alleviate food insecurity, skills development to fight against the high unemployment rate and support groups for young boys and girls to reduce teenage pregnancy and empowerment on issues regarding gender based violence and femicide (GBVF). 

"We also do home gardens to promote sustainable living for women because women are primarily responsible for everything at home." Nxasana said. 

Woza Moya employs 36 people and has not only been assisted by the Department of Health and other local funders, but also by international funders from different parts of the world. 

Esikhawini 
While in the KwaZulu-Natal province, the Democracy Bus also travelled to Esikhawini which is 28 kilometres from Richard's Bay where Phumelele Educational Training Projects is located. 

Like Woza Moya, Phumelele also saw an information gap in the community where HIV / Aids is concerned. "Mhlongo had a vision and with that vision he approached government and received funding, that paved the way for other funders including international organisations like the AIDS Foundation of South Africa." said Nathi Mhlongo who runs the centre which was founded by her husband. 

"We started with five caregivers and then we had 40 of which 20 of them became professional nurses. This was possible because of the government."

The centre also assists the community and surrounding communities with a mobile clinic and the services are offered free-of-charge. The locals are attended to by professional nurses and the scope of the mobile clinic services spans beyond HIV and Aids. 
Phumelele has been operating since 2002. The centre currently employs 86 people and runs educational programmes for 15 schools assigned to them by the Department of Basic Education. 

"All our services fall under the Department of Health, and they are approved by both the Departments of Health and Basic Education." 

Phumelele and Woza Moya are but a few of the many organisations the Democracy Bus has encountered, which highlights the progress achieved by individuals and communities and enabled by the democratic dispensation. 

The bus still has four more provinces to visit namely; Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West and Gauteng. Be on the lookout for the Democracy Bus in a community near you by following it on www.30yearsofdemocracy.net and #SpotTheBus on X. ¥ 

Dear Vuk’uzenzele
How do I get training in the hospitality industry?

Warm regards,
Collentjie Moment

Dear Collentjie

Thank you for writing to Vuk’uzenzele with your query.

The Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA) can help you find more information on training and opportunities to learn the skills you need for the hospitality industry.

CATHSSETA was established for the tourism, hospitality and sports economic sector.

Its main function is to contribute to the raising of skills in this sector.

For more information about CATHSSETA call 011 217 0600 or visit www.cathsseta.org.za and email communications@ cathsseta.org.za.

All the best with your future plans.
Warm regards,
Vuk’uzenzele