🐂 15th August - Grassroots gardens to battling societal woes

The session began with apologies from absent members, setting a warm tone as Bishop Verryn welcomed both familiar faces and newcomers, including Lorraine Mafolo from St. Mark’s Anglican Church in Randburg and Daniswa Qasha, a Methodist preacher passionate about organic potato farming.

Thoko Mbense, a Methodist preacher from Bryanston, opened the reports, expressing relief at reconnecting with the group after being consumed by church mediation processes.

Her brief update reflected a longing for the community’s shared purpose, a sentiment echoed by Reverend Sheila.

Sheila apologized for her absence, citing emotional strain from diocesan challenges in Ekurhuleni and Mpumalanga. She spoke candidly about the church’s struggles, urging the group to pray for resilience amid internal conflicts that distract from community outreach.

John Dearden, based in Johannesburg, shared insights on entrepreneurship, a key focus of his food security and livelihoods program. He highlighted global and South African entrepreneurial trends, noting that 8.5% of South Africans are engaged in early-stage entrepreneurial activity, slightly above the global average.

His data sparked a discussion on the potential for community training programs to nurture self-employment, particularly in agriculture.

Thoko inquired if these statistics applied specifically to farming, prompting John to clarify that they encompassed all forms of entrepreneurship, opening the door for further exploration off-line.

Jack Armour, from Free State Agri, delivered a comprehensive report weaving together local and national concerns.

He critiqued South Africa’s dependency on state programs, which often fail due to poor selection criteria and lack of follow-up. Referencing a Northwest University article labelling South Africa a “Mafia state,” Jack highlighted systemic issues like corruption and societal agendas that undermine community cohesion.

He emphasized the group’s role in building self-sufficient local systems to counter these challenges, citing examples like soup kitchens evolving into rehabilitation programs, as Scott from Sulsa Solutions later reinforced with his reflections on a New York City initiative.

Jack also flagged the ongoing foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks disrupting local economies and export markets, particularly in communal areas where resistance to state veterinary interventions was causing tension.

This parallel sparked a broader discussion on transforming lives through localised efforts, with Scott suggesting that churches could lead by fostering sustainable living as a theological mission to “bring heaven to earth.”

His tentative theological reflection invited Bishop Verryn’s input, underscoring the group’s openness to integrating faith with practical action.

Lorraine Mafulu introduced herself as an environmental advocate, excited to join the group’s mission.

Bonginkosi Zulu, from Pietermaritzburg, reported progress at the Reverend Walter Gcabashe Methodist Development Center, where spinach from their garden was being sold affordably to church members and neighbors, with potatoes planted for the festive season.

A recent visit from the Women’s Manyano leadership raised hopes for additional funding to expand their efforts.

Mbatha, from Ulundi, shared positive news about securing a lease for community agricultural projects, with the landowner waiving fees to support their efforts.

Bishop Verryn advised securing a written agreement to protect the project’s future, a practical suggestion rooted in experience.

Sheila passionately called for the church to move beyond the pulpit, confronting societal “mess” with boldness and unity. Her frustration resonated with the group, who agreed that local, faith-driven initiatives could counter these challenges by fostering self-belief and community resilience, as John emphasized in his closing remarks.