About the initiative
WHAT IS THIS INITIATIVE ABOUT? [read more]
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS [read more]
HISTORY & BACKGROUND [read more]
Getting Involved
To be part of a working , successful and truly remarkable initiative contact us at
E-mail: charl@kwalata.co.za
Tel: +27 12 7118200
Cel: + 83 4599075
WHAT IS THIS INITIATIVE ABOUT?
Kwalata Initiative – “Alive in our Community”
Hammanskraal situated 50 km North of Pretoria – Tshwane Gauteng RSA. Kwalata is a privately owned Game Ranch adjacent to the township of Mandela Village.
For the past 18 years we have been involved in community development and facilitating community responsibility programs. Kwalata is not a charity organization, Kwalata initiative is an idea and concept which supports already existing entrepreneurs, schools and crèches (Pre-schools). The support is designed to facilitate funding, support in terms of infrastructure, equipment and marketing, stimulating sales or securing a sound customer base. For more information visit www.kwalata.co.za
Corporate Social responsibility programs & Kwalata Initiative
One of the things which makes Kwalata Initiative (Community Projects) so great is that the people who make the difference can come to visit our community and get an opportunity see the difference they make, for themselves.
A community social responsibility project is typically designed and facilitated by the type of support or sponsorship of companies, groups, etc. The content of support is analyzed and a suitable candidate is identified who would benefit from the type of support. Again the project is to support existing enterprises providing expertise, experience and facilitating a growing project, securing the donation and mentoring the individuals to ensure maximum benefit and efficient structures to utilize the support.
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Answers to a few Questions concerning community up liftment
“What would small donation do in a community..?”
Any amount sponsored to any community makes a huge impact. Since the donation is used to assist existing projects, it goes a long way – much further as opposed to using it for “start up capital”. A hundred dollars can easily support a crèche (pre-school) with wash basins, hygiene soap and towels – an essential necessity in healthy habits. Alternatively, expanding their library with educational toys or learning material. Alternatively, sponsoring eye test to those taking care at children at a pre-school. A minimal fee with a huge impact. With a donation of a thousand dollars would refurbish infrastructure and development sustainable operations for anything from brick making to community health centre.
How can I give my clients (and me) 100 % guarantee that the support we give will go to the target group we aim at?
All projects are designed around the sponsor and then the person/enterprise/school receiving the support.
This process involves:
- the “sponsor” exactly knowing what is sponsored
- the community knowing exactly what is being promised and
- Kwalata facilitating the process and ensuring a complete sponsored
item is delivered to the community.
Our role is to put the sponsor in touch with the community and facilitate the “process”, eliminating the to-and-fro, endless meetings and needless administration. Making the sponsor part of the process and putting them in contact with the community and their needs without all the trouble and hassles. On the other hand also assisting the community to get in touch with our connections, networking and experience and ensuring delivery and quality.
Since the type of donation pre-determines the type of community support, the donations do not become part of a pool of money supporting just one need. What you sponsor is what you see and is what we give.
For example:
Nursery Project : If an amount of money is donated towards expanding the nursery ‘s current range of products, a company is approached who could deliver the product, then, if approved by the nursery owner, we as Kwalata would put the sponsor in touch with the supplier and arrangements would be made to deliver the product. Alternatively, if funds are made available to Kwalata, we would then pay the supplier, have the product delivered to the nursery. There is a tax benefit in submitting the invoice to the sponsor. Whichever way is best suited to the sponsor
Do sponsors have the opportunity to tailor-make help programs with Kwalata and to visit these programs?
Any sponsor who wishes to get involved has the opportunity to get in touch through our links or connections. We are in the position, through years of involvement and living, working in the community to assist and help assess the support needed. Once the commitment is assured we will put the sponsor in touch with the right people, introduce and help maintain the momentum and support to make the project a success. It is one of our primary goals to establish long-term relationships with the community rather than once-off “donations”. We also encourage sponsors to attend handing over ceremonies, drafting of statements for records and publicity on either local news papers or our community website
Safety of visiting clients
Our community is like any other community in the world - You are as safe as you are aware and prepared for. We enter the community with a purpose, know where we are going, do what we need to do, engage, interact and conclude our business. Our visit is therefore structured, pre-arranged and by appointment. Valuables should be kept out of sight, but splendid photo opportunities & African Hospitality is still to be enjoyed . All tours to the townships are accompanied by a Kwalata representative.
Guide training
A year ago, Kwalata saw the need for trained local guides within Dinokeng Big 5 Reserve. We realized we had to train people from our community. The training would enable would-be guides to register at FGASA (Field Guide Association of South Africa) and the Department of Education and Training (DEAT). To this we availed our expertise and experience and committed to provide training. The money to facilitate training and registration was donated by Vergenoeg Mining company. The project was conducted over 4 months where students received remuneration, textbooks and uniforms. Pending their results in the FGASA exam (due in November 2009), we should have six trained guides. We intend to continue with this program.
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HISTORY & BACKGROUND
South Africa has experienced massive growth of squatter camps or informal settlements since 1990 from just before independence. In 1965 South Africa introduced the Apartheid system and this promoted racial segregation based on colour, tribe and language. Then a “Home Land System” where adopted. Based on colour, tribe and language people were allocated to a homeland. Ownership of property, land & businesses in South Africa were reserved for white South Africans only.
After the collapse of the Apartheid system – massive informal settlements mushroomed all over South Africa. Government land was targeted and the need for urbanization and option of services attired people from all over South Africa and even Africa.
Land ownership, services & provisional boundaries is currently still a hurdle in South Africa. Gauteng being the “economical power house” of SA has experienced a challenging growth rate as other provinces battle to provide services.
Two Informal settlements arouse west of Kwalata and the Dinokeng Big Five Game Reserve, Mandela Village and Steve Biko/Kekana Gardens. Mandela Village grew to become a success story. This township started as a shack town, residents took great pride and today this is a prime suburb with tar streets, running water and electricity.
Steve Bikoville/Kekena Gardens consist of 2500 houses. Being a new informal settlement it consist of a big portion of jobless people that flocked here in search of opportunity and services. The Phananani Community Centre was formed with the vision to develop and help the needy. The success that this centre had attracted more support from the Hervormde Kerk, “Ons Tuiste” old age home, Gauteng Social Welfare and Kwalata. This development consisted of a Brick making, Bakery, Vegetable tunnels, Food Kitchen cooking for 300 people 3 times a week and a medical service provide testing of sugar & blood pressure and a home based nursing project.
Kwalata Game Ranch has been actively involved in the Mandela Village and Steve Bikovill / Kekana Gardens. We have assisted with leadership development, environmental education and promotion of tourism in these communities. Kwalata Team Adventures operates Shebeen & Cultural Tours since 1995 and is now active as far as Onverwacht & Refilwe next to well-known Cullinan Town.
We facilitate all efforts between community, government and the private sector to guarantee outcomes and results. We thank our corporate clients for their support in our communities. Through this we aim to create a winning concept in South Africa that can be duplicated all over Southern Africa, focusing on sustainability through tourism!
Numerous corporate clients have through this experience assisted the community.
Bevcan donated chairs to the “Little Darling Daycare Centre”. A group from New Zealand builds flush toilets at this Daycare centre.
Maggies Tea Garden has been upgraded by a BMW donation. We have been facilitating numerous companies and Kwalata has even won the Tshwane Tourism award that recognizes businesses that join hands with the communities.
Kwalata donated property to the Mandela Village Community to be used as a grave yard.
The Rotarians youth movement “Rotrax” has just donated building material to improve this project. In April Rotrax donated educational toys to the Kanana Day care Centre.
We have actively assisted the Cosmos Club in Mandela Village with sponsoring soccer kids and team development training by our in-house facilitators. The club has achieved great heights and plays in the mayor league today. Over 15 years Kwalata partnered with the local taxi operators. Staff and clients shuttles are done by local taxi operators. Corporate gifts and Acts & Craft are bought and we support the Mandela Village square artists. [back to top] |
