Not just another brick in the wall: A story of Hope

“I am not just learning the skills of building. I am learning about myself, I am learning about what it means to create.”

How does one rebuild a broken community? How does one restore a sense of pride, when all hope has been eroded? Is it possible to regain a sense of purpose, in the midst of destruction? In the Imizamo Yethu informal settlement located in Hout Bay, Cape Town, six unemployed men are discovering that the answer to these complex questions is surprisingly simple: rebuilding begins brick by brick.

After widely publicised violence (https://www.enca.com/south-africa/gang-violence-erupts-hout-bay) and an alarming degree of lawlessness shook the foundation of this community, the HBCCA (Hout Bay Christian Community Association), with the help of its loyal sponsor Gartner Africa, answered the call for restoration to be made to the broken spirits of the Imizamo Yethu people. Hope had crumbled, but there remained an undaunted conviction that it could be rebuilt.

In consultation with the community elders, the HBCCA came to learn that much of the aggression stemmed from an underlying sense of worthlessness and desperation; that the perpetrators of the violence were not by nature violent men, but they were men who could no longer suppress the darkest aspects of their struggle to survive.

These were men with little or no education, few or non-existent skills – men who were gasping for breath in a place where everyone seemed trapped in the stranglehold of unemployment, poverty and despair. Futility and hatred appeared to be all that the world offered them, so they could find no reason not to offer the same in return.

Hennie Jacobs, HBCCA treasurer, longstanding servant of the community and active participant in the daily functioning of Iziko Lobomi (the HBCCA’s church-cum-adult training centre), proposed a simple answer to this cry for purpose, this plea for hope. A bricklaying course.

As a young man, he had experienced first-hand the joy and satisfaction that there is to be derived from the simple act of laying bricks and building something that lasts – joy that ultimately motivated his career as a quantity surveyor. His passion for making something from nothing enabled him to play an instrumental role in the construction of Iziko Lobomi some twenty years ago, an ambitious project that took over three years from conception to completion.

Hennie Jacobs sharing his love for building

This community centre was built during a pivotal time in South Africa’s history, as its construction echoed a national time of rebuilding. As Iziko Lobomi’s foundations were being laid, so too this young democracy sought to construct its identity from the rubble and ruin of a divided past. Under Hennie’s supervision and with the help of countless others, this open plot soon bore testimony to a new era of unity and collaboration. On the 19th of October, 1996, the “Iziko Lobomi - Centre of Life” stood proudly where before there had been only vacant land and forsaken dreams.

In light of the recent spate of problems experienced by the people of Imizamo Yethu, Hennie approached Gartner Africa with a novel proposal: the community elders would be consulted to propose a list of men most in need of help, whereafter six individuals would be drawn at random from this list to participate in an intensive, two-week bricklaying course under his watchful eye and expert tuition.

It was Hennie’s aim for these men to not merely learn how to lay bricks or build walls, but to learn lessons that no future hardship could destroy – he hoped to equip them with the knowledge that they are capable, that they are strong, that they have something lasting to contribute.

With Gartner Africa’s sponsorship of over R25,000.00 secured, it was possible for each participant to be equipped with the best tools, the best construction wear and training of the utmost professionalism. Yet the true value of this sponsorship cannot be calculated in monetary terms, for the worth of renewed self-esteem defies all conventional measurement.

The training commenced on the 14th of September and is currently being conducted on a makeshift platform at the Iziko Lobomi centre, a place that remains the throbbing heart of the Imizamo Yethu community some two decades into its existence. The HBCCA wanted the training to take place in a visible location, so that passers-by and visitors to the centre could witness the commitment of these men to learn, to grow, to heal.

The course is presently in its second week and there is already a visible difference in the stance of these men – they are walking taller, they are standing their ground with conviction and pride. As one of them remarked with a smile, “I am not just learning the skills of building. I am learning about myself, I am learning about what it means to create.”

Bricklaying is perhaps a humble trade, but don’t let its lack of fanfare fool you. Those who practice its precise skills and disciplined processes cherish the knowledge that without their handiwork, an architect’s plans would remain worthless blueprints, houses would never provide shelter and early morning sunlight would not gleam upon the windows of magnificent skyscrapers.

Behind each of these feats is the bricklayer that we have taken for granted, the bricklayer whose quiet, unseen precision is there for us to behold should we simply take the time to do so. With spirit levels, trowels, stooped heads and deft hands, bricklayers are the invisible creators of far more than we imagine. There is no doubt that they have often been instrumental in giving form to the places that we call home.

Those who are participating in this training are men who had so little left to believe in, men who had been walled in by the limitations of their circumstances. What these two weeks aims to instil in each person is an appreciation of their own worth, an understanding that dignity and self-respect are vital tools that will empower them to chisel away at their hopelessness.

Bricklaying takes a physical toll and requires physical strength, yet by the end of this course, it is hoped that these men will have learnt how to hone and strengthen their innermost musculature, the musculature of their minds. Such strength may help them to face future challenges with a strong-willed determination to succeed, instead of resorting to the weakness and cowardice of violence.

Training these men to harness the timeless skill of bricklaying certainly serves a purpose; yet concurrently evoking within them an awareness of their ability to surmount obstacles, is training for life.

The mainstream media has frequently depicted Imizamo Yethu as a violent, unstable, unsafe place – many perceive it to blight the otherwise pristine serenity of Hout Bay.

Whilst there may indeed be elements of truth in these negative portrayals, it must be acknowledged that Imizamo Yethu is a cultural kaleidoscope teeming with dynamic, complex and vibrant facets. To depict only its darkness is to suppress the beauty of its light.

Brick by brick, many of the structures that surround us were built – brick by brick, these six men of Imizamo Yethu are being given a chance to be the architects of their futures, the builders of their dreams.

My interest in this project is purely personal - I can't claim any involvement with the wonderful work that is being done, apart from popping in with the occasional supply of sandwiches and other snacky rations for the hungry men. For more information, please consult the HBCCA's website (http://www.hbcca.co.za/), they truly are a beacon of hope to countless people in this community and any support would be deeply appreciated.

HAHA Project: Jolly Times at James House

On a day as crisp and wonderful as a perfectly ripe Golden Delicious, I had the opportunity to spread some polkadotty love at the James House Child and Youth Care Centre. As a part of my recently launched and tremendously exciting HAHA Project, I’m endeavouring to visit various charities so as to raise awareness of the incredible work that they do, whilst also generally amusing/scaring everyone with my somewhat dotty sense of style.

James House, affectionately termed 'The Home That Love Built', was established in 1986 in Hout Bay, an intriguing and beautiful seaside village situated in a quiet corner of the Cape peninsula. Hout Bay is a unique microcosm of the problems and opportunities that South Africa faces as a country, given the glaringly disparate states of the living conditions that its residents either enjoy or endure.

A geographically compact place, Hout Bay is encircled by mountains except where it greets the sea, and within this confined space, prosperity and hardship dance an uneasy dance. Gleaming mansions, iridescent with wealth and material abundance, stand quite literally alongside crudely constructed informal structures that seem to sag under the weight of poverty and desperation, a paradox that inevitably leads to conflict and disharmony.

The bay of beauty

Thankfully, however, organisations such as James House exist to encourage a bridging of this divide, by caring for some of the most vulnerable members of this community, namely its abandoned, abused and neglected children. Named after the first child who benefited from its care, James House has gradually evolved from primarily serving as a place of safety for these destitute children, to developing various programmes that seek to address the broad range of challenges that face modern Hout Bay, including the devastating impact that HIV/AIDS has had on the village’s ever-growing informal settlement, Imizamo Yethu.

I was fortunate enough to speak to the lovely Pamela, who is instrumental in James Houses’ Isibindi programme, about the nature of the work that she is involved in. Isibindi is primarily focused upon protecting the rights of children in the Imizamo Yethu community, particularly those who have become tasked with being solely responsible for looking after their families due to the death of their parents. These so-called ‘Child Headed Households’ are a debilitating side-effect of the scourge that is HIV/AIDS, with an approximate 122 000 children in South Africa being said to have lived in such households in 2006 (http://oldsanews.gcis.gov.za/dsd.htm is an informative article on this problem).

Pamela explained to me that Isibindi is responsible for the care of thirteen such families in Imizamo Yethu, and provides crucial help to these young ‘surrogate parents’ by educating them as to their rights in respect of social grants, ensuring that there is adequate food for the family and following up on their progress at school. Perhaps most importantly, Pamela and her Isibindi team provide much-needed kindness and attention to the plight of these vulnerable young people who were flung into an abyss of heartache, poverty and desperation when they lost everything that was dear to them.

In a place where abundance and lack chafe awkwardly against one another, James House is a symbol of hope and love offered to children who had no say in where they were born. The jarring inequality that underscores Hout Bay’s identity is by no means unique to this small South African town. On the contrary, in every corner of this planet an unavoidable fact exists: some individuals will be lucky enough to enter a world of comfort and opportunity from the day of their birth, whilst the lives of others will predominantly constitute a grim struggle for basic survival, from their first day to their last.

Whilst this may seem to be a crushingly unfair inevitability, I believe that we retain the power to choose how to deal with this truth. We may elect to meet it with guilt, despair, despondence, apathy or an unconcerned shrug of our shoulders. Alternatively, we are free to interpret the imbalance that characterises our world as an opportunity for radical change and growth. We can challenge this status quo with empathy, resourcefulness, care and action - James House is just one example that bears testimony to the lives that are altered and the dreams that are re-awakened when the latter course is taken.

Here are a few very wonderful videos from my visit to James House. The first one is a general introduction (I unveil my theory that the world's troubles is the same as a giant muffin - a MUST WATCH revelation), the second video is of my  interview with the Very Lovely Pamela (there are some unscripted but very cute interruptions to proceedings) and the third is the brief talk I did for the children. 

A huge thank you to the very lovely cameraman (known only as 'Mr. Tom') for his patience, expertise and steady camera-hand. He endured all the madness that is inevitably present at an Ani Mallover gathering and somehow managed to still be smiling/alive/smiling-and-alive at the end of it all! A legend! A true legend he is!

If you would like to get involved with James House or find out more about ‘The Home that Love Built’, their contact details are as follows:
admin@jameshouse.org.za
+27 21 790 5616

(All photos that include adorable kiddies were sourced from the James House facebook page and are not my own. Due to privacy concerns for the children, James House does not encourage photos of their little ones being taken and publicly distributed. At least, that's what I was told. Maybe they were like "Whoaaaah she's a crazy panda lady - no photos for her!", I'll never know....)

xxxx Lots of Love and HAHAING to you, Ani

You'll NEVER want to wake up from this Icedream!

Nestled in a quaint little corner of Hout Bay is a 'Gelateria' that will delight you with its charm and mesmerise you with its authentic Italian ice cream. This may well be the most delicious place where ‘Miranda the Polkadot Panda’ has made a habitat for herself, despite bamboo gelato sadly not being a flavour currently on offer. As the name of this well-loved establishment suggests, a visit to 'Icedream' will whisk you away to a flavour destination seemingly too wonderful to be occurring in waking life.

Even the Cappucinos are smiling at Icedream

Icedream is not merely an ice cream shop - it is a hallowed place where many tastebuds have come to rejoice in the glory of homemade gelato for nearly twenty years. A not-so-secret-best-kept-secret, worshipers from far and wide frequently make the pilgimmage to Mama Liana, Luigi and Fabrizio's cosy sanctuary for the senses.

Upon arrival outside, one is greeted by fluttering umbrellas, colourful tables and pots bursting with smiling petunias, welcoming one and hinting at the splendours that await within. Once inside Icedream, one is drawn impulsively closer by the magnetic allure of the gleaming ice cream counter in the centre of the shop, brightly illuminated and filled with a glorious rainbow of frozen delights. It is here that casual visitors are transformed into lifelong devotees, as they realise they have stumbled upon a holy gelato grail, waiting to be savoured scoop by delicious scoop.

Please be warned: The Ice Cream counter has a certain MAGNETIC POWER MERE MORTALS CANNOT RESIST

In this dark age of artificial colourants, synthetic flavours, hidden fats and sneaky sugars, Icedream proudly upholds the tradition of authenticity and natural goodness. Handcrafted with love, all of their gelato is made on the premises in a cherished Italian tradition and consists solely of organic, natural ingredients. With recipes handed down from generation to generation, Luigi and Fabrizio whip and whisk, churn and chill until sheer frozen perfection is achieved. Never again will you approach the humble ice cream in the same way again - your status as a Connoisseur of the Cone will make it impossible for you to so much as LOOK at any industrially manufactured frozen horrors.

An addiction you will never wish to be cured of 

All of the fruit used to make the sorbets is juiced freshly on the premises and converted into an icy tribute to nature. These delicate taste-sensations linger lightly on one’s tongue with a crisp, invigorating freshness and are the perfect accompaniment to a sunny day. Unforgettably, one is tantalised by the silky swirls of mango, the zesty vibrance of orange or the heady thrill of ginger.

The eggs used for the milk-based ice cream are laid by plump, free-range hens and all of the flavours – pistachio, hazelnut, chocolate, tiramisu to name but a few – are made from carefully sourced, pure ingredients. For example, Icedream’s voluptuous vanilla is dotted with specks of vanilla pod imported from Zanzibar, whilst the sensational Stracciatella contains splinters of the finest chocolate. Upon your first encounter with the melting miracles you encounter at Icedream, you may well be urged to pinch yourself to confirm that you are indeed awake, but there is no need for alarm – this is a perfectly normal response.

Perhaps what makes this gelateria truly special is that in contrast to the cold, icy delights that make them famous, each visitor to Icedream is treated to a warm, hearty welcome. Scarcely inside, the enthusiastic shouts of “Ciao! Bonjourno! Come stai?” will greet your ears, as ‘Mama Liana’, brother Luigi or son Fabrizio beckon you to enter this shrine of sweet delights. Whole generations have come regularly for their double scoops of heaven and generous portions of Italian hugs, and Liana has watched with fondness as little faces, scarcely able to see into the counter, inevitably return many years later to bring little faces of their own to press their noses eagerly against the glass and point excitedly at "the pink one! The PINK one, mommy, I want the PINK one!"

 Liana and Luigi - it's a wonder that the warmth of their smiles doesn't melt all the ice cream!

So, to sum up, to encapsulate, to conclude: if you wish to take your taste-buds to a dreamland they will never wish to emerge from – there is only one destination: Icedream, Hout Bay, Cape Town, South Africa, The World.

IceDream is situated in the Main Road of Hout Bay, next to the Luigi's Italian restaurant in a part of town locals refer to as "Little Italy". They are open seven days a week, so your craving can be satisfied on a daily basis. Call +27 21 790 2496 for any enquiries.