The founders behind a newly launched community organisation in Klapmuts hope to get community members involved in different upliftment projects.
This is according to Elliot Mbikwana, chairperson of the Klapmuts Development Forum (KDF), which was launched at the end of March.
The launch of the Klapmuts Development Forum took place at the Klapmuts Multi-Purpose Centre. PHOTO: Na’ilah Ebrahim
Members of the forum have the vision of empowering the people of Klapmuts to become trained, skilled and semi-skilled workers, according to Donowan Davis, the secretary of the KDF.
The KDF was formed after an assessment was done by Klapmuts community members who had become despondent with the town’s development and consulted with Stellenbosch mayor Gesie van Deventer on a way forward, stated Mbikwana via written correspondence with MatieMedia. In this meeting, Van Deventer suggested that the community forms a structure, such as a forum or a committee, in Klapmuts, he said.
The necessity of the forum lies in the issues that the town is dealing with, according to Mbikwana. “The unemployment rate is high after COVID-19,” he explained. This is one of the things that KDF hopes to address.
A helping hand from Ranyaka and the municipality
Ranyaka Community Transformation, an urban planning social enterprise which has been involved in the Klapmuts community since 2017, has partnered with KDF to develop an understanding of their community context and to assist with community initiatives. This is according to Ranyaka’s chief executive officer, Johan Olivier.
“Ranyaka will provide back-office support that includes assistance with setting up an office with necessary infrastructure, assisting with coordination of activities, assisting with project planning and implementation and also assistance with the promotion of Klapmuts and getting partners and funders involved (e.g. Stellenbosch Bridge),” Olivier told MatieMedia via written correspondence.
The Klapmuts Development Forum team and sponsors. Pictured from top left is: Mary and Klaus Gobel, Donowan Davids, Amy Levendal, Michelle Maluqua, Rozette du Toit, Juanita Engelberg, and Elliot Mbikwana. Pictured from bottom left is: JC Anthony, Jeremy Maluqua and Johan Olivier. PHOTO: Nazley Wilschutt
The KDF also hopes to partner with the Stellenbosch Municipality going forward, according to Davis.
“The municipality takes the role of all community organisations and [non-governmental organisations] such as Klapmuts Development Forum seriously and attempts to support them wherever we can, be it in-kind support or financial support,” said Stuart Grobbelaar, spokesperson for the municipality, via written correspondence with MatieMedia.
KDF will be involved in many projects and sports activities going forward, including, Clean-up Klapmuts, skills training with organisations such as SETA, gardening and skills projects, as well as youth soccer and netball tournaments, said Mbikwana.
Elliot Mbikwana, chairperson of the Klapmuts Development Forum, wanted the Klapmuts community to benefit from every development in town and for the youth to be involved in the activities that take place. PHOTO: Na’ilah Ebrahim