In the face of adversity, the resilience of a community often shines through the collective efforts of its people. One such instance of unity and support occurred during the aftermath of the Kliptown looting in July 2021.
This article highlights the recovery and rebuilding efforts. The community, including Brita Lamani, one of EIT’s marketing coordinators, and her family, gave immediate assistance and then helped establish a community food garden.
This initiative, aimed at empowering a neighborhood affected by high unemployment and instability, exemplifies the power of community-driven solutions.
Through the collaboration with local organizations, they were able to provide both immediate relief and long-term sustainability for the people of Kliptown.
Mrs Lamani’s Inspiring Story
Can you tell us about the specific project or initiative you were involved in to support your community?
In July 2021, following horrific riots and looting in Kliptown, my family and I joined a team of volunteers to help clean up, support, and refurbish buildings housing small businesses affected in the area. Following this, we had the opportunity to assist the community further by creating a community food garden at the JoshCo Apartments and another in Pimville.
We helped by managing the logistics for the launch, including estimating the required quantity of compost and seedlings. I also presented a brief introduction to Permaculture and mapped out the garden space using companion planting techniques.
This garden was designed to provide food for the neighborhood, where unemployment affected approximately 70% of residents.
We collaborated with community activist Chriszelda Jooste from Phenomenal Women, Michele Sohn from 10 Million Makers, Makhosini Ndlovu (AC) from Persenverance, Dani Donald from Step up SA to bring this initiative to life. Additionally, the garden supported efforts to prepare warm meals for children before school, addressing an essential need in the community.
What inspired you to get involved in community service, and why is it important to you?
I have been involved in community work for many years, as my husband, Mark, founded a nonprofit organization called Skindeep South Africa in 2015. As a family, we’ve also volunteered for various other organizations and community events. Our goal is to create a positive impact wherever we can, driven by our passion for helping others. Community work has been incredibly rewarding, taking us to places we never imagined and allowing us to meet amazing people along the way. When the opportunity arose to assist in Kliptown during COVID, we jumped at it—eager to get out of the house and make a difference during a challenging time.
What challenges have you faced in your community outreach efforts, and how have you overcome them?
One of the main challenges we face is a lack of funding and resources. To address this, we leverage our networks to involve more businesses, though this doesn’t always yield the desired results.
Another significant challenge is a lack of interest from the community. To secure their buy-in, it is crucial to identify and engage community leaders. Their involvement is essential in driving projects forward and ensuring they remain sustainable in the long term.
How have you seen your involvement impact the community, and what changes or improvements have you noticed?
After launching the community gardens at the JoshCo apartments in Kliptown and another in Pimville, both have continued to thrive and grow. The food produced from these gardens directly benefits people in the surrounding areas. By applying Permaculture principles, techniques, and processes, we’ve ensured the gardens’ sustainability, enabling the community to consistently harvest fresh food. Proper community engagement has been key to their success, as it fostered a sense of ownership and accountability among the people who care for the gardens today.
Are there any personal moments that have deeply resonated with you during your community service?
It was truly special to witness so many people coming together to lend a hand. Everyone rolled up their sleeves and got involved, and it was beautiful to see the collective effort.
What touched me the most was watching the little kids nurturing the plants, eagerly watering them, and being so excited about the entire experience.
What advice would you give to individuals who want to make a difference in their own communities?
My advice to anyone interested in community work is to always engage with the community first. Take the time to understand their challenges and needs – never assume you know what they require. Without this crucial step, your project is unlikely to succeed or be sustainable in the long term.
Do you have any future goals or plans for continuing your work in the community, and how do you hope to inspire others to get involved?
Our future goals include continuing to spread knowledge about Permaculture as a source of health, sustainability, and empowerment. Many of us have become reliant on stores and imports, yet we have incredible resources and capabilities to grow our own food, strengthen our communities, and nourish our bodies.
By incorporating indigenous plants, we can promote healing and nutrition. We aim to host workshops and engage with schools to raise awareness about malnutrition, helping students and their families adopt healthier lifestyles.
Would you like to share anything else?
Communities need people with expertise, and there are so many individuals with valuable skills and knowledge who don’t step forward to share them. I believe everyone should share what they know—there’s no such thing as “perfect knowledge” or a “perfect way.”
By sharing with an open heart, you’ll make a positive impact and be received with gratitude.
