And Now for Something Completely Different...

FRANCO has been working at establishing Youth groups in the Townships as a way to keep the young people off the streets, off drugs and off alcohol. We work with Minnie Petersons’ YEA and KUSASA.

One of the groups calls themselves Sondelani Productions, supported by FRANCO. They are led by an amazingly proactive young man, and are all from the Eastern Cape , where unemployment and the problems that go with it are rife.

Besides working here, in the Franschhoek townships and for no pay, Sondelani plan a trip to the Grahamstown area to help their own communities establish similar youth groups.

On Friday night, 5th November at 1830 in the NG Church Hall, they are putting on a show which they call “Spring Entertainment” that features some delightful Xhosa male and female choral work and gum-boot dancing.

The show lasts about 1 hour, which allows you to make your restaurant booking, and tickets are R30, available at the door or from Tourism (upstairs, above the pharmacy).

This same group has plans to start cleaning up the township (in conjunction with other groups) and have started a netball league for about 70 girls. They have also been sent by FRANCO on an education trip to Hermanus to see the whales (that none had ever seen before.) and a team-building and leadership camp-out to Villiersdorp.

We have all heard the stories about the youths hanging around the streets, doing nothing and getting into trouble. Well, this group is doing their very best NOT to fall into that trap. They are doing things.

They are spreading the message of no drugs, no booze, responsible sexual behaviour, no lying, cheating or stealing.

This is also an opportunity for returning swallows, or visitors, to see a little local culture. They really need your support.