'Slowly the sun is rising. A colour palette shows itself over the Indian Ocean. It is early in the morning, around half past six. Nomapuzi’s two little grandchildren are already frolicking about. Her daughter is studying, so grandma takes care of the little ones. The most natural thing here in the Lallies (villages). I need to be on the road an hour or so later with Noma and Nontcha. Zelri will take care of the two little ones. Suddenly they are gone. Panic, where are they? Rasta, the gardener, tells her to take it easy. “They are with Nonchile”, he says laughing.  “That is a long way from here for those two little ones”, Zelri reacts. Kenny, the other gardener, joins them and laughs at her reaction. “In our community we do not only keep an eye on each other’s children, but on everything that happens as well”.

In the past two weeks I have learnt a lot from the Mawotsheni community. The meetings with the village council show another side. Nolundi has finished high school, which is called matric here. She speaks English perfectly, has graduated as a secretary, is married and takes care of her three children. Her husband works in the mines. Nontsha is the radar of the whole setting. She is a network specialist. Her heart is with the community. She has opened a small shop opposite the project site. A girl from the village is working there. Nomapuzi meanwhile is a graduated Montesori teacher. Her studies were sponsored by by the Obonto foundation. Once again thanks for that! Zelri is specialized in marketing. These three ladies are going to run the project together. The chief of the village, his son Userman, Rasta the gardener and another lady together constitute the village council. This council takes care of control and transparency. During the last meeting we evaluate the past two weeks and discuss what is expected from each other. 
The local mayor (Headman) takes the floor: “Much more has been accomplished in the past two weeks than in the past 7 months. A new non-profit organization has been set up and the banking affairs have been taken care of. In fact the village community is really connected now to the Mawotsheni project. We will ensure that things will go well. Sisonke, together we can do it!”

The first issue is the vegetable garden. The responsibilities of Rasta and Kenny are highlighted and put on paper. Every day the vegetable garden must be watered, so even at the weekends. The two of them can take turns. They should be ordered to do so by a man. A woman cannot issue such an order. Ancient cultural norms and values. For example, a man never washes the dishes. Domestic chores are for women. Some time ago I was laughed at because I was cooking a meal and did the washing-up myself.
A striking thing is that the chief now also washes up his own cup when he joins us for dinner. 
The village council has a monitoring role in all areas. Every two weeks they come together and discuss the important issues. Development, health care, agriculture and education are shared. The community can submit proposals, which are consequently looked into if they are feasible. 

An hour later I walk through the garden with Kenny, Userman and the Mayor, compliment Kenny on his work and give him advice. The vegetable tunnel looks good. The Mayor has meanwhile changed clothes and wears a suit resembling the fashion of the Great Gatsby film. The mayor sets off, in his Sunday suit wearing a woolen cap. “Aye, making an impression on the ladies”, I jokingly say to him. His son translates and we all laugh. Then he takes the floor, points to the fence and tells me that we are allowed to move the fence three metres. This means that we get three more metres of land on all sides. Good news, work to do, Kenny!

 

21 June 2016 18:04 | By: Martin Lont 

Wonderful how three women from the community run the project and how the community so is closely  involved. Of course, Nomapuzzi has been involved in the project the longest. She had already taught lessons in an old, dark and unsafe cabin, before we ourselves took matters in hand. She has done her job for months without income and has seen different managers come and go. Noncha has also been involved in the project for a long time. Along with the third lady, I think you have a nice team, all of them with their own qualities.

As you already indicate, it has been a long process from the beginning of 2011 until now. Consultation with the community has always been there, but as you describe it, the project now really belongs to the community and many of them are taking responsibility. And thus Mawotsheni is still under progress. Sisonke, nice to see how 'together putting the shoulders to the wheel' will increasingly take shape. Really a matter of patience.