To Pray, Celebrate And Sing Together

Evangelical Lutheran Church

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mdantsane

Where there is great poverty, there is a great number of churches offering salvation.

The United Pentecostal Church In NU 5

There are many churches all over Mdantsane 

The United Pentecostal Church in NU 5 is small and pretty as a picture.

How many souls have sung and worshiped together and prayed here for a better life over the years?

Release It Into Song

There he was, sitting alone on a bench in the back of a church whose walls were painted in a bright orange.

The only man who was watching about 20 elderly women who where celebrating a late Mother's Day in June.

Coming closer I could see his face. 

I have always believed in coming closer.

I have always believed that the simple fact that you decide to come closer enriches your life.

When humans get older their faces become like paintings conveying a little bit of the spirit that has lived and is still living in this body for a whole life. Even if we ourselves don't like our changed physical appearance when looking in the mirror, as an artist I think it is beautiful. Over time our faces become alive.

I can not tell you how many times, while working on this book, I would have loved to pause and stay a little longer and hear someone's story right through to the end. 

Even when just catching a glimpse of someone on the street I often feel like saying to that person: I would like to listen to your story from the beginning right to the end - if you would like to talk. 

I can not count how many times I had that wish in my life. Often you can pause and listen but many times you have to move on. 

I really do not know who he is and I had not the time to get to know him.
But I have this beautiful photo of his face which is like a painting of life itself

THE SEWING SISTERS OF THE CHURCH

       AND OUR BREAD GIVES US DAILY

Entrepreneurial activities sprout everywhere. In every street of every unit. They are no limits in terms of creativity, improvisation, the use of space and logistics and in the way business is done. There is an unbreakable spirit of self-help and help-each-other attitude amongst the citizens of Mdantsane.

The TWO SEWING SISTERS have set up their business in a church. 

The importance of networking has not to be explained to the people of Mdantsane. This small business was created when the Ethembeni Old Age Home received a donation of brand new modern sewing machines and had no immediate use for them.

But two ladies with exceptional sewing skills and ambitious attitude were already seizing the opportunity and with the church's permission to use the space during the week a small sized business was created in a couple of days.

The space is enough to expand and who complains if he has a whole church as a workshop. And their skills are quite considerate. Where have they learned sewing,,, by themselves of course.

And it is not surprising that this demanding business was started by the two ladies at an age where some others might be turning thoughts about retiring and the way they will spent the rest of their lives. There is no slowing down here in this part of town and we have never heard  the expression " too old " which had a relieving effect on us. The spirit in the township is the opposite to some European countries where everything has to happen when you are young.

The success of their business is based on the fact that they do know their costumers, that they have found their market and that the quality of their products is of a very high standard. There is mutual understanding and respect for each other and a shared love for peanut butter and Rooiboos tea.

The recipe is easy, they say:  " TRADITIONAL WILL NEVER BE OUT OF FASHION ".
And do it as the costumers want it. !

But although cherish the way a lady dresses.....