Dear Friends of Novalis Ubuntu
Happy and rested from Summer Holidays, we are curious to discover what 2024 has in store, for us and our Ubuntu Community, and also in the larger world that seems seriously troubled.
Highlights of First Quarter was hosting the first Ubuntu Festival with Sarah Oliver and Babalwa Ngcongolo – a four day festival of interfaith, intergeneration, international friends coming together. Many elements were documented for your further interest and viewing.
We also hosted artist, Hanna von Maltitz 13th Solo Exhibition ! We were thrilled that she sold 3 paintings on the night. What a lovely warm community evening we experienced.
Novalis hosted a deeply intimate and sacred time of ‘remembering the spirit of Mzwandile Sangweni’ who died in November last year. We combined the event with colleagues from the Library Project and after our catch up meeting, we were joined by his sister, Vivienne, uncle Gordon, colleagues and a new friend interested to discover whether she could lead the Novalis Project after Mzwai. This memorial ritual time brought closure for us all.
Novalis met new and old networks – Social Entreprise Academy, Bertha College and civil society partners hosting some 35 Norwegian interns who will spend ten weeks in various Cape social enterprises. We also hosted Zachie Achmat in dialogue with many interested in our democracy with a view to the upcoming elections on May 29. What is our responsibility as the people of the Western Cape ?
Our CEO, Anne-Lise Bure will be joining OASA in exploring ‘Enhancing Society’ through a series of 4 interviews with 3 others respectively. Anne-Lise will be speaking on ‘Embracing Freedom and Ubuntu’ on Tuesday 21st April, 7pm. via Zoom link.
In February, Novalis hosted Harmony Week by celebrating a Harmony Concert in collaboration with Global InterFaith Ambassador, Rev Berry Behr, Lynn Dreyer from Cape Cultural Collective and the Rosa Choir with Friends.
Capt Randall Petersen took up office for the SA Scouts and Cadets in the Saturn Room at Novalis in January – ‘watch this space’ for an incredible trajectory of his National Framework Development for Youth.
At the office, we re-ordered the Saturn Admin block and gifted furniture to associates, as well as books, games and pre-loved goods to worthy causes. With lots more repair and maintenance in the works, and seeing the front steps made new, we hope that you will join our fundraising drive 2024. We are so super-stoked to let you know that we ‘made target’ in 2023 through the support of Friends from all over the world – Sweden, Norway, Germany, Australia and USA. Our local friends gave more than the previous year – proving that a little goes a long way, and boosted our resolve and drive in ways beyond measure. Thank you all so much – we received R120 000 that we asked for. We feel truly blessed by your gifts.
The Library Project mentioned above, is undergoing re-structuring and new plans in 2024, as is the Teacher Enrichment programme. There is a new wind blowing through our Centre, and we are pleased to announce Rhonda Robers joining the Novalis Ubuntu Resource Centre team, taking over from Emma Mshumpela. We thank Emma again, for the fabulous contribution she brought since post covid19, laying new foundations and steadying the ‘income generation’ of our Centre. Grateful for the sweet harvest of 2023, we celebrate a picture of local honey received from our beekeepers. All this lets us feel the potential of a new year with expansion and glorious sweet fruitfulness.
We are thrilled to be doing this work together as a Team, we trust that you enjoyed our updated news.
For the full Newsletter with images click here
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