On Thursday afternoon, June the 20th 2024, Iziko Lobomi received a visit from an unregistered group of people claiming that they represent the people of Imizamo Yethu and that they came to inform us that they are not happy in the way the HBCCA runs the Centre. They gave us a list of their demands and complaints which include their dismay with the HBCCA employing people from areas outside Imizamo Yethu. Both our two office staff members, Bridgette Mangcu and Andiswa Sibamba are from townships outside Hout Bay.

Their intimidations and threats lead to the resignation of Bridgette followed by the retrenchment of Andiswa and one staff member that worked in the kitchen.

After several follow-up meetings with this group it was decided to lay charges of intimidation and harassment against three of the main members of this group. The case is now under investigation and the HBCCA hopes to have a hearing in Court early in the New Year.

There is nothing that gives us more joy than to see how the Imizamo Yethu community enjoys Iziko Lobomi, the Centre of Life!

Regardless of the winter weather conditions, the people enjoy our facilities, day and night. What a true blessing and reward for everyone working at the Centre and everyone, throughout the world contributing to make this invaluable service possible.

Thank You. May God bless you richly!

The Western Cape received its first snowfall on the mountains at the beginning of July. With the snow came very wet and windy weather to large parts of the province. Fortunately for Hout Bay, much of the rain was bearable, with less damage to properties than is usually the case. However, this is only the beginning and everyone is bracing themselves for the weeks ahead.

The good news of this weather is that most of the dams in the province experienced a significant rise in levels, which everyone is very grateful for.

The HBCCA received an invitation from Christ Church Constantia to organise some Imizamo Yethu teenagers to join their youth on a bowling outing to celebrate Youth Day with them at Stadium on Main in Claremont on the 22 June 2024. It was on one of the wettest evenings so far this winter with rain coming down in buckets but that had absolutely no affect on the spirit of excitement experienced  by everyone that attended the event. The Bowling Centre was warm and cozy inside and everyone enjoyed it thoroughly.

Sarah Fenton form Christ Church was the person who took responsibility for this event and the HBCCA would like to thank her and her church for this kind gesture.

Partnerships with businesses, organisations and private individuals are invaluable to the HBCCA because it enables us to build strong relationships within the IY community and at the same time with our partners. These partnerships are the lifeblood of our Association and are the ingredient that gives it its soul.

Thank you Christ Church Constantia!

Click for more bowling... ;-)

The HBCCA Annual General Meeting held on Wednesday evening was a historical occasion in more ways than one. This was our first AGM without our beloved late Chairlady, Lesley McCall. Lesley held the HBCCA reigns for for almost 26 years.

At this meeting our vice-chairperson Pastor Ncedo Ndongeni was elected to fill her shoes as new Chairperson. Pastor Ndongeni has been a member of the Association for more than 20 years and is a well-respected Pastor among all the Hout Bay and Imizamo Yethu churches.

At the same time Bridgette Mangcu was elected as new Vice-Chairperson with Bishop Hisland Makenke that was elected as new Secretary.

This meeting was also the first AGM that Marion Franke could attend after her time in hospital the previous year. Marion does not serve on the MANCOM anymore but is one of the HBCCA's honorary members and still assist our office staff (Bridgette Mangcu and Andiswe Sibamba) with social and welfare matters when needed.

The HBCCA is in good hands with the Management Committee comprising of highly experienced and dedicated members. We wish them strength and guidance from our Lord for this big task they have signed up for!

HBCCA Executive Management Committee 2024 - 2026 Term

From left to right:

Pastor Ncedo Ndongeni (Chairperson), Andiswe Sibamba (Vice-Secretary), Hennie Jacobs (Treasurer),

Bishop Hisland Makenke (Secretary) and Bridgette Mangcu (Vice-Chairperson)

Not in picture:

Supporting Committee Members:

Bongani Xanxiwe, Bishop Morobo

Honorary President: Rev. John Frye

The HBCCA wants to make a special effort this year to increase the number of people who attend our training courses. We have upgraded all our signboards to promote this training and the plan is also to start with a knock-n-drop campaign where fliers with invitations to our training will be delivered at the homes of residents during the day.

The residents of Imizamo Yethu is very privileged to have this training available, literally on the their doorsteps and within walking distance from their homes. Our job is to make sure that they know about this training and to make it as attractive and easy to attend as possible!

When we took this picture the paint was still wet. One of the most colourful hopscotch patterns in the Western Cape, for sure ;-)

We still need to stencil numbers on and know that this space will be a popular place for many children to spend an afternoon of leisure in time to come!

Enjoy!

With a second donation received from a local Hout Bay couple, Corne' and Lindie Lourens, in January '24, we have been able to do further work to the properties surrounding the 'Psalm 1 Corner'

These properties are situated on one of the busiest corners (Mandela Road and OR Tambo Road) in the Imizamo Yethu suburb. Thousands of residents, adults and school children, pass through this area everyday and there is no doubt in our minds of the positive and uplifting impact that this project of the HBCCA has on these people.

Several owners of homes in this area have already started cleaning and painting their units to match this development!

The 19th of January 2024 was a very sad day for the HBCCA when our beloved Chairperson, mother and grandmother lost her battle with breast cancer. Lesley was Chairlady for more than 20 years and left a legacy which will be hard to replace. Lesley was a warm, caring and affectionate person with unbound limits of patience. Together with this warmness she was also a good leader, a servant-leader that knew the importance of making everyone in her team feel appreciated and valued. Lesley had the ability to reflect a silent sense of authority in her decisions and actions which was respected by both friends and foes during her term.

The HBCCA were privileged to have been blessed by her loyalty and steadfastness over all these years. She will be dearly missed but the sweet memories of this special person will remain in the hearts of every person who served with her and crossed her paths.

Rest in peace dear Lesley, your memory will never fade!

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At a meeting on Wednesday the 7th of February 2024, Pastor Ncedo Ndongeni (left)was asked to take over the role of acting-chairperson in Lesley McCall's place. He was the HBCCA's Vice-chairperson and his position will be confirmed at the Annual General Meeting in May. Other positions on the Management Committee will also be discussed and confirmed at this meeting.

Six brick homes were destroyed late on Tuesday evening the 26th of Dec 2023. The fire started in a small wooden hut that was situated between two houses and due to a strong south-easter wind it spread to adjacent brick homes in a very short time. By the time the fire was put out by the local fire brigade, six homes were destroyed. to our knowledge, this was the first fire where brick homes were involved.

Nobody was hurt and aid was distributed to victims of the fire the next day from Iziko Lobomi.

With regards to our Community Upliftment Programme, the HBCCA closed the year off on an exceptional high note. A generous donation received from Corne' and Lindie Lourens from Hout Bay made it possible for us to finish our 'Psalm 1 Corner' project we started more than a year ago including extensive changes to the shops and two residential properties further down Mandela road.

The HBCCA has been doing community upliftment projects for more than ten years and is a firm believer in the positive impact these projects have on Imizamo Yethu's residents - young and old.

PSALM 1 WALL

MANDELA ROAD HOUSES

Nosi and Bridgette, owners of two of the homes