Repurposing business, transforming society

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GEORGE NEWS - Brett Johnson, well-known author of Transforming Society, led a team from the training and coaching company rp (Repurposing Business - Transforming Society) to George during the week of 9 to 12 March to partner with Usapho Indlu, a non-profit organisation (NPO) led by Sally Versfeld that operates in Zone 7, Thembalethu.

The purpose of the visit was to meet with leaders representing different sectors of society in our city and to talk through issues that are essential to consider if we are to effect true transformation in George.

Johnson addressed the George Connect meeting on Thursday and then met with different leaders to gain insight into various issues:

• What assets does our city have that can be used by God to bring transformation in George?

• What giants exist ie, the big challenges that our city faces?

• How healthy are the different spheres in George (education, NGOs, business, family, media, healthcare, religion, legal, capital)?

• What foundations of our city do we need to see redeemed and restored?

• Who are key players to be included in an Impact Network of like-minded people and organisations seeking God’s best for our city?

This was followed by a collaboration between Repurposing Business - Transforming Society/Usapho Indlu and The Meshach Project where the team ventured into the Zone 7 Thembalethu community and joined hands with the residents to tackle transformation on the ground.

PHOTO GALLERY: Training and coaching company visit George

This group participated in the painting workshop.

Households becoming sustainable units

Usapho Indlu is working with households, teaching them to discover how to become sustainable units and play an effective role in bringing transformation to their own community.

According to Versfeld, director of Usapho Indlu, partnering with community leaders has already brought change to Zone 7. "By sharing skills and providing opportunities for the residents to be part of community development, families are building a platform to grow together and take ownership of transformation."

The Meshach Project led by Isaac and Celeste Petersen from Mitchell's Plain in Cape Town, taught a two-day basic painting skills workshop to a group of residents who are unemployed.

A small plot of land underwent a total makeover as residents and team members joined hands to make compost, build garden beds, plant seeds, seedlings and fruit trees as well as erect a rain tank in the new garden.

The day was filled with joy as children dealt with the trash that had been gathered and made ecobricks from recycled plastic to create garden beds. Women mixed compost and learned how to plant effectively to attract birds, bees and wildlife so as to have a little oasis representing many aspects of people's lives in the middle of their community.

This garden space will become a hub from where Usapho Indlu will teach and train in creating a basic household food garden; seedlings, plants and compost will be sold, as well as mulch and organic insecticides.

A bonus is that the community will have their own food market from where they can buy and sell fresh vegetables. The garden will be maintained by the staff, youth and children of Usapho Indlu.

The weekend was concluded with Brett Johnson and his wife Lyn speaking in three different church congregations to share the vision held by the above organisations.

Versfeld has completed the Transforming Society course, as well as the rp Business training. She says this has radically changed her thinking to understand the relevance of being a "market place ministry".

Construction of new vegetable beds for the community food garden in Thembalethu.

"We need to understand the connection between our work and God's work. Our work is our worship. We are so grateful for the many donations received from George folk and businesses to enable us to be effective in the transformation of our beautiful city. Volunteers travelled from Cape Town to support us and we are encouraged to continue with the vision we have before us,"” said Versfeld.