Rural Town Of Ceza holding first Rural Development Convention

‘We must stop blaming everyone for our mistakes and start using the help and tools we have to create something we won’t be ashamed of when we die’ …Unknown

For a month I haven't written anything, hence the reason why I am so excited to finally be able to write this post. Reasons for my absence is all due to the planning of the very first rural-based convention! Frustrations and nerves are super high with everyone on the team because we are finally able to showcase our work for the past 4 years to a wider audience which is exciting and nerve-racking. Personally, I'm really happy to pay a tribute to International Tolerance Month.

The community of Ceza, was chosen to host the country’s first grass-root involved Rural convention (25 -26 November 2019). With its high unemployment rate, lack of basic infrastructure (roads and plumbing pipes) and an internal feud ( wrote a post about in September 2019 for Heritage Day) it was the ideal place to launch the organization's pilot program almost two years ago. The town also holds a rich cultural relevance for the Zulu people. Fortunately for the residences, the half a century old feud as of September 2019 had been ended under the facilitation of GJCBC, and the first event of the convention will be in honor of the peaceful future of the community and International Tolerance Day. It is followed by a career expo dealing with the heavy unemployment rate within the community’s youth, it will target the present and past matriculates who need solid guidance in career progression. At first glance, any millennial would be like "the internet is filled with career advice so why make a big deal out of it?" or you might remember getting different institutions to come to your high school giving really decent advice and guidance regarding your future tertiary education ( or you were like most of my classmates and you were just excited to miss a class period because your brain was sore from all the learning and stress of not passing high school). With some of these schools being placed in really remote areas, many students don't even get the opportunity to be well informed about the 'next step' after graduating high school and there are no public libraries available...and that just sounds like a straight-out illegal act. I'm not even getting into the fact that I need to perform a mini ritual somedays just to access the internet, all these factors make this educational convention, even more beautiful in my perspective. Education brings hopes especially if you are born into rough circumstances.

The convention will also hold a Radical Economic Transformation Summit {RET} and a showcase of the DUT (Durban University of Technology) renewable energy program, because how can we leave out solutions to get frequent electricity, if you live in South Africa you can relate with the load shedding dreads and probably even make friends at a party with a random stranger because it such a relatable topic.

I love getting knowledge from respectable academics and experts so I am pleased to have Professor Pillay from the Centre for Social Entrepreneurs (Durban University of Technology), Dept. of Rural Development and Land reform’s Acting Director (Zululand District) amongst other amazing people who will be present during the convention.

 This convention holds as a reflection of what is possible when grass-root members and an organization born to create change work together towards a better future. It is also a great way to tie a ribbon on a really long but interesting year, with that I hope that the convention next week will be a success... all that anxiety and replanning should mount to a killer success right? Only time will tell.

Added note: Just want to wish our neighbouring family Nambia all the the best with their upcoming elections! GJCBC SA wishes you a smooth and prosperous transition to the new year.