During the last week of March 2021, the Nedbank Proud of my Town (PoMT) programme kicked off in Umlazi township in Durban in KwaZulu-Natal. This brings the number of communities across the country where the programme is currently being implemented to fifteen.
PoMT implementation agents, Ranyaka Community Transformation, facilitated three interactive work sessions where 61 community members and stakeholders discussed the challenges facing the area, as well as the opportunities and resources that exist within Umlazi.
Multi-sectoral input – big-picture view
Various sectors were represented during the three work sessions, including educational institutions (the University, primary and secondary schools, as well as Early Childhood Development centres), local businesses, NGOs, local interest groups and Nedbank community activators.
A so-called DNA mapping exercise provided work session attendees with the opportunity to share their input around a host of indicators that, together, offer a big-picture view of the well-being of the area.
Laying solid foundations
From infrastructure, education, health care, recreation, support of vulnerable individuals, community safety and availability of youth programmes to job opportunities, business support opportunities, access to technology, intercultural relationships, quality of family relationships and levels of volunteering (to mention but a handful), the extensive mapping exercise provided valuable information that will lay the foundation for planning the implementation of PoMT in Umlazi.
Collaboration and partnership are key to the Ranyaka/PoMT model. We do not duplicate initiatives, but rather, seek to support and align with existing initiatives and address gaps, as resources allow.
A follow-up session will be hosted towards the end of April/early May where work session attendees as well as any other interested parties will have the opportunity to receive feedback on the outcome of the first workshops and dive deeper into discussions around the way forward.
Umlazi is one of nine nodes in seven provinces across South Africa where PoMT is working hand-in-hand with local roleplayers to contribute to local, positive and sustainable socio-economic impact.
For more information about the roll-out of PoMT in Umlazi, contact Andile Mafa at andile@ranyaka.co.za
Umlazi is one of 15 communities that is part of Nedbank’s Proud of my Town initiative.