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Tsoga Centre, Samora Machel, Philippi

Green Green Communities' is currently involved in a skills development and job creation project that is wholly focused towards the upliftment of the local community in and around the Tsoga Centre area of Samora Machel in Philippi.

Through an intensive Public Participation process that commenced in March 2010, Green Communities has established a relationship with the residents of Samora Machel, and particularly those who have been involved in the development and history of the Tsoga Community Centre. In a consultative manner and through regular meetings with the Samora Machel community and relevant City of Cape Town officials and stakeholders, it was decided that the centre will become the Xhosa Arts and Culture haven of Samora Machel drawing from the talents, expertise, and culture of its inhabitants. Cordaid, Holland's largest Non-Profit Organisation and an avid supporter of sustainable development in South Africa, assisted in terms of restoring the centre to its original state and kick-starting the initiation of interventions. With the assistance of Green Communities, the Samora Machel residents passionately resolved to uplift themselves and their community through initiatives such as:

Most of the above interventions and projects are currently being implemented but the sewing project and the Food Tunnels, which were the communities' top priorities, are well under way. In the implementation of these quick wins for the Samora Machel community, we have seen significant improvements not only in the livelihoods of those actively involved, but more so in the social cohesion that has been brought about as the result of the Tsoga centre finally serving its purpose as a place for the community. Our experiences at the centre these past few months have seen people coming together with new ideas and plans to improve the social and economic statuses of Samora Machel residents. Through skills and knowledge sharing, projects and interventions, and effective use of the Tsoga Centre, Green Communities aims to assist this community in developing a path of growth and sustainability.

A huge component of this initiative is the 'Imbumba Arts and Culture Project' which is housed at the Tsoga Centre. The Initiatives that are being rolled out are sewing, beading, arts and crafts, music, theatre and dance, as well as poetry and story-telling. With the assistance of the community, various City departments, and Corporates, it is anticipated that the centre will become a highly sought-after tourist destination, as well as a place where the arts, crafts, and traditions of the Xhosa culture are colourfully, and uniquely reflected in the products and people that inhabit the Tsoga Centre. Thanks to The Learning Journey, and their Chairman, Hans van Alebeek, for the generous donation of ten (10) sewing machines, Green Communities was able to roll-out the sewing component of the Imbumba Arts and Culture Project in May of this year. The Learning Journey is a Dutch-based foundation who "initiates and promotes 'ownpowerment' of people in disadvantaged areas in the Western Cape in South Africa through a strategy and practice of connecting and networking people and organizations in the field of education and development." Training programmes were implemented in how to operate the industrial sewing machine, and obtain optimum results in terms of sewing techniques and methodologies.

The aim is to ensure that the livelihoods of the Samora Machel community are sustainable, and that the essence of community, and collectiveness can be encouraged throughout the greater Philippi area through this project. The potential, of the 'Imbumba Arts and Culture Project' and the Samora Machel residents to flourish socially and economically, is monumental, and Green Communities believes in the paramount involvement of all in order to gain the support and resources required to ensure that this potential is realised.

The Sewing and Beading Project, Urban Agriculture, and Skills Development components are recognised as "quick-wins" for Cordaid's Development Portfolio for Philippi.