San People Community
Platfontein, Kimberley, South Africa
Context:
Platfontein is situated 15km outside the city of Kimberley.
The community includes 2 San tribes (!Xun and Khwe) who were relocated in the 70’s from Angola, Namibia and Botswana to Schmidtsdrift and then relocated again to Platfontein (both near Kimberley) .
The youth of Platfontein are caught between two worlds, one that values tradition and has endured hardships of the past, the other is a future in a society that is unaccessible to them – they have no sense of belonging.
This project engages the youth to create development that regenerates families, the communities and the land (as a valuable resource) while at the same time positioning them in the local and wider economy.
Champions:
Platfontein Youth
Outputs:
- Computer training
- Business accounting & administration
- Food security
- Leadership
- SMME (Brick reduction, local poultry farming, food garden nursery, computer & IT support centre)
- English as Second Language
Progress:
March – August 2015
13 youth participated in a 6-month skills Training.
September 2015 they built a new Computer Training, Service & Repair centre and implementing their new skills.
November 2015 – Graduation Ceremony for the vocational training
February 2016 – Business plans are finalised for further vocational Training and building of infrastructure.
A computer centre manager successfully runs the centre in collaboration with the Platfontein youth.
Next Steps:
Phase 2:
- Land, water, food regeneration project
- Housing Improvement in Platfontein
Phase 3:
- Hospitality training for the new Platfontein Lodge and Conference Centre
with job opportunities for San youth - Platfontein Business Centre
Partners:
Phase 1:
- Hilltop Empowerment Centre
- Swiss Funding Platform
Phase 2:
- Hilltop Empowerment Centre
- Kimberly Municipality
Phase 3:
- Platfontein Lodge and Conference Centre
Partners Needed:
Local partners:
- Water, food, energy security
- Stock & game farming
- Healing training modalities
- Project Management
- Local networking capabilities
Links & information:
Platfontein Youth Empowerment
(Progress reports of the 6-month Vocational Training at Hilltop)
Hilltop Empowerment Centre (facilitator of Vocational Trainings)
Acknowledgements:
Rommel & Robin Roberts from the Hilltop Empowerment Centre
Susi Gubler and the Swiss Funders and Supporters