The project Towards Building a Community Circular Economy (TBCCE) is a true testimony of the Ubuntu Spirit of Solidarity, in responding to the Covid-19 pandemic. The project evolved by listening to community champions that responded to the pandemic through food kitchens, children’s education and many other local interventions and innovations to keep neighbourhood life going despite the Covid-19 pandemic.
From May 2020 until November 2021, the German Government partnered with the City of Cape Town and Violence Prevention through Urban Upgrading NPC in providing support in Bonteheuwel, Hanover Park, Manenberg, Gugulethu, Nyanga, Harare, Kuyasa and Monwabisi Park. Over the 11 months of the programme, 253 ECD’s, 143 Spaza Shops, 202 kitchens, 68 gardens and 29 823 beneficiaries were supported across these 8 areas.
Furthermore, the TBCCE programme was designed to create a longer-term impact by ensuring the following key components were strengthened and supported:
In total, vouchers worth R124 684 200.00 were issued over 11 months.
This was possible because of multiple partnerships and the coming together of thousands of ordinary people from food kitchens, urban gardens, early childhood education centres and leadership groups. All these groups united to assist, and grow a network of social solidarity in unprecedented times. The incredible work done by all built stronger neighbourhoods based on local resources, local knowledge and a commitment to a shared goal of addressing the immediate impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and building a better future.
We thank everyone who made this possible. Let us continue to be part of the call of a just society through our actions, projects, programmes, and partnerships.