questions of implementation

Packing up tonight for a weekend trip to Jo’burg—our first adventure beyond the Western Cape—and I’ve been gathering things that I can take with me to continue working on (must be analog, cause my new machine will not be making the trip). Redlining the current drawing set is a given…I think we can have some fun with the new container elevations, as well as all the windows on the courtyard… But after working on a brochure describing the building’s intentions and role both in education and economic development, I can spend some time now reevaluating the program of the building and its role in the community. We recently met with Sipho Puwani, an inspirational community organizer who has been pushing social development programs for the last 15 years (and whose organization Ikamva Labantu will be a part of some 19 community centers in the townships over the next six years). In his experience, long-term sustainability is dependent upon having a broad base of organized programs that together address the social problems of the specific community in a holistic way. For example, an educational program for younger children combined with training programs for the adults can expand incrementally from a few core classes to an established series that allows all members of the community to continue learning, which ensures the survival of the building and its use. His main point was that we don’t provide the solutions—the community already has them. We just provide and critical strategy and vision that will enable their implementation and ensure a sense of community ownership. eKhaya eKasi is well on its way, as the women of MonkeyBiz and their craftwork will no doubt be the heart of the building, and many holistic efforts are planned…but can we further pursue a building framework that will help maintain the relevance of this center to the changing lives of those who will use it..?

Stephanie and I also spent a day with a UCT student from Fish Hoek who will be traveling through America for his own summer break in 6 months. While enjoying some down time and the “essential” family restaurant experience at Spurs, we covered many of the questions facing South Africans right now—seems that, at least in our experience, there are no taboo topics here. People want to discuss, how can a country be properly informed and motivated to take advantage of upcoming opportunities and plan for the future, beyond making unrealistic goals for 2010 (like providing homes rather than just slum clearance, slowing the ‘brain drain’ and keeping new next generation minds focused on the challenges their home country..).

There are so many challenges, and it can be overwhelming to try to place ourselves amongst them. At MonkeyBiz on Friday we are recognized and asked about the building as we greet the artisans and work on documenting their stories. Later that night we enjoy some vino and wizard hats at a Harry Potter release party in Kalk Bay. So many different facets of one rewarding trip..