City of Cape Town celebrated Mandela Day with Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain communities. To recognise the Mandela Day, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Urban Waste Management – Alderman Grant Twigg visited the unveiling ceremony of a mural at Tafelsig High School in Mitchells Plain and the Sinethemba Community Project in Khayelitsha.
The project is commenced to bring the food relief to 500 residents affected by the recent floods, occurred in Cape Town and other South African regions due to heavy rainfall.
Tafelsig High School mural of Nelson Mandela also celebrated the day.
Considering this, UWM Directorate of the city proudly announced its support for the Legacy Mural Initiative, which is a community-driven project that aims to inspire Beacon Valley and Tafelsig communities through the power of art.
The initiative was led by the dedicated activists Michael and Natasha Bell, seeking to replace gang-related graffiti with inspiring murals that will uplift and motivate the community, especially the youth.
To recognise the need for positive change in these crime-affected areas, the City, through the Western Cape Government-funded Community Development Worker (CDW) Programme provided the much-required financial assistance for essential supplies including paint, tools and protective clothing for the mural artists
The Legacy Mural Initiative is more than just a painting project. It encompassed various elements of urban design, landscaping, public lighting and architecture to create a comprehensive approach to community revitalisation.
With the transformation of these spaces, the aim of the initiative is to instil a sense of pride and ownership among residents, fostering a safer and more vibrant environment.
Initiative by Sinethemba Community to feed 500 people is a great move. The Project in Harare, Khayelitsha has been a valuable partner to the City of Cape Town and helped them in tackling social and economic challenges in the community.
In recent times, the City of Cape Town has partnered with the organisation to teach economically-marginalised women how to run a traditional clothing business.
Although, after growing as a non-profit organisation, founder of Sinethemba – Nolitha Ndalasi is giving back to her community by providing meals to around 500 people who were recently displaced by the floods. The community will also distribute clothes and other donations received to those who are affected.
Appreciating the efforts Alderman Grant Twigg said that it was an honour to join Tafelsig High School and Sinethemba, as the initiative demonstrates care, kindness, hope and creates a sense of community.
According to Twigg, “Art has the power to inspire communities and offer hope where it is needed the most. The Legacy Mural Initiative is a shining example out of many, of how we can work together to create positive change.”
“Through the programmes such as the CDW Programme, we will continue to find ways in which we can support the community-based initiatives to do better and help more of those in need,” said Alderman Twigg.
The City of Cape Town keeps on encouraging all the groups and organisations that are working to uplift their community to explore assistance from the CDW Programme through their local Sub-Council.