Page 108 - SCAT Rural Voice II - 35 Stories for 35 Years

YOUTH
After deciding to leave the game reserve, I came across an opportunity to work at a restaurant in Plettenberg Bay. Young and full of energy, with the world at my feet, I packed my bags and headed to the coast. This was the best professional move I made, in terms of my trade as a chef. Little did I know that this would only last a short while. Soon after I started work at the restaurant, my mother passed away. She passed away during a time in my life when I had the leisure to decide the direction my life would take. The death of my mother, however, soon made me realise that my options were very limited. With my dreams shattered, I persevered. I started working in the bakery at the local Advice Office.
And so, the next chapter of my life began. Working in and with the community has many ups and downs. Initially I faced many challenges. My community did not want to accept me, although it was my place of birth, here in the heart of the Karoo. How do you give your all to a community that does not accept you? Maybe this was their way of dealing with their collective pain, visible on their faces. Tears, determination and the prayers of a grandparent was the order of the day. Thus, my new journey started as an activist and social development worker.
The wellbeing of the people of Nelspoort lie close to my heart, although the prevailing conditions may be overwhelming. Still, the fire of development, change, hope and dreams always win in the face of adversity. It brings back a memory of a young man, who today had graduated with an LLB degree. Although he had achieved great academic success during high school, he had not secured placement at university and was at risk of forming part of the unemployment statistics. In our attempt to assist this young man in achieving his dreams, we started enquiring on his behalf. We were informed by the university that he was on a waiting list and would be considered in due course. Not happy to wait for an answer when this young man’s future was at stake, I decided to drive to Cape Town and pay the university a visit. We had an audience with an official and explained the context of the young man, with his outstanding matric results as evidence of his brilliance. Four years later, this young man graduated with an LLB degree. Today, we have a lawyer in the community. Tannie Claudia (Aunty Claudia), as my community refers to me now, became the go-to person for assistance in achieving your dreams. Over the years, many people have benefitted and achieved their dreams, a process in which the Advice Office plays a vital role.
Despite our ongoing success, it is not always sunshine and roses in Nelspoort. Despite our challenges, however, the Nelspoort Advice Office continue to advocate and work to better the conditions of farmworkers, women and the youth of our community. All this success, however, would not be possible without the assistance of SCAT, who have been walking the road to improving people’s lives with the Nelspoort Advice Office for the past 15 years.
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RuRal Voice ii: 35 stories for 35 years