GEORGE NEWS - During a Business Café conversation held on 24 November with community leaders representing faith-based, environmental, ratepayers and heritage associations from across George, it was agreed that the city’s biggest strength lies in its social capital.
The organiser, Dr Dennis Farrell, said there is a parallel between social capital (communities’ ability to build and maintain relationships), the Xhosa concept of ubuntu (meaning 'I am because we are') and a Khoisan saying, 'Sida ui' (We care).
The group noted that the Springboks had won two consecutive Rugby World Cup Championships by embracing diversity with the slogan 'Stronger together'.
Yet, after the euphoria of celebrations had subsided, citizens of George and the Garden Route had lapsed back into the harsh reality of soaring living costs, unemployment, inequality, crime, and deteriorating service delivery.
The way forward
The group identified various strengths or ‘glads’ (the catalyst for change and unity) as well as weaknesses or ‘mads’ (holding the community back and which they perceive as limited direct control). Further conversations with the participation of all communities, will be needed to determine a way forward.
‘Social capital’ was identified as the overwhelming ‘glad’, followed by an acceptable quality of life offering and on average better services provision than in the northern provinces.
Anger
While inconsistent local governance was fingered as being the most prominent ‘mad’, this was followed by other ‘mads’ such as the growing financial burden on ratepayers, poor public participation practices, increasing criminal activity, and environmental degradation.
Willingness to serve
Participants were of the opinion that instead of simply stating what they want, communities should start offering their skills, resources, time, intercession, and an action-orientated willingness to help develop George into a city in which citizens participate actively in protecting their heritage; environmental stewardship; developing an inclusive economy; improving safety, and ensuring equitable service delivery.
"Anchored by social capital, we can learn to build together by being stronger together,” said Farrell.
Building trust
Participants agreed that the immediate objective is to build trust, engage communities to volunteer their involvement, engage with local authorities to address matters such as unsatisfactory governance, financial hardships of citizens and inequality in service delivery.
“George residents should embrace resilience, develop strong intercommunity relationships, and take ownership. This all starts with the conversation in getting to know each other,” said Farrell.
“Leading South African philosopher, Credo Mutwa, said that the total lack of understanding between black and white, for example, between indigenous and Eurocentric knowledge, is due to the failure to understand what goes on in the mind of the other knowledge holder.
"Tessa Dooms & Lynsey Ebony Chutel of the publication Coloured noted that South Africans genuinely do not know much about each other. They noted that there are conversations we must have as racialised people in this country with many wounds to heal. When we have those conversations, I hope we show up with facts, accountability, and empathy."
A follow-up networking session will be scheduled soon. Georgians who would like to contribute to the discussion, please contact Dr Dennis Farrell of the Business Café at connect@businesscafe.co.za or blog on www.businesscafé.co.za.
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