Habitat for Humanity is a fantastic organization that builds houses in communities in desperate need of resources all over the world. They are currently undertaking a massive build in Mfuleni Township outside of Cape Town, and last Saturday Connect-123 volunteers rallied bright and early to get involved.

Our team was tasked with building the foundation for a house for Peter, a local Mfuleni resident, who was relocated to Mfuleni from the township of Khayalitsha due to regular flooding in the area where he lived. None of us were really sure what we were in for but with shovels in-hand and nothing but a littered plot in front of us, it was clear that it was going to be a long day of hard work.

We were immediately surrounded by young children, excited to see new people in the community and many of us made great new friends for the day.

After clearing the plot, we started digging the foundation – our supervisor and the site assistants around us made it look so easy but what we lacked in digging skills, we definitely made up for it in spirit. The shack next door was blasting out old-school R&B classics which definitely lifted the mood!

We then measured out sand, concrete and cement, one wheelbarrow at a time, laying it out in the road in layers. After a builders tea of door-stopper-sized pieces of bread and jam we soon discovered our next task. Other volunteers working on the site next to us warned that we’d gotten the easy part out of the way and the hardest part was yet to come. As soon as we got back to work we definitely understood what they meant – there were no cement mixer in sight, only us, a water hose and the giant sandpit we’d created in the road.

It was hard work and the determined attitude of the Connect-123 group was fantastic to see. When we were finally finished, a massive sense of accomplishment washed over us and we also started to notice how tired and truly covered in dirt and cement we all were.
Some women in the community invited us into their shack for a traditional African dish of umngqusho or samp and beans, which is a mixture of dried maize and beans. We were all surprised by how ravenous we were and there was complete silence as we wolfed down this unfamiliar, but very satisfying food.

After cleaning the road and saying our goodbyes, we drove out of Mfuleni with a new, warm feeling for a place we’d entered just hours before as foreigners.

As summer finally starts, our Cape Town volunteers are heading outdoors for some long-awaited fun in the sun.

There are many upcoming outdoor music concerts and festivals which should definitely not be missed. The music and atmosphere caters for everyone and varies from head banging, saving the planet rock festivals to beautiful carols by candlelight in the idyllic Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. So no matter what your taste in music is, get ready to listen to some of South Africa’s best in the most stunning settings that Cape Town has to offer.

Probably the most well known and popular outdoor music events are the Sunday evening Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts. People of all ages and types ascend in droves to the beautiful botanical gardens, picnic basket in one hand and blankets in the other, to eat, drink, socialize and listen to some of South Africa’s top talent. The tickets are quite affordable (average of R50 – R70 per person) and can be purchased on the day or online in order to avoid queues and disappointment.

If you are a blues fan then the upcoming Table Mountain Blues Summit is not to be missed. Seven of the country’s hottest blues/rock artists are gearing up to entertain audiences at the beautiful Bloemendal Wynhuis. The wine farm is ensuring that their guests have a fabulous time by erecting a huge marquee as well as an open air section with umbrellas, tables and chairs. The festival takes place on 22 November in Durbanville, which is about 30 minutes from Cape Town, and tickets can be pre purchased through computicket.

For the trance, dance and heavy house aficionados, there are two massive festivals in December which are a must. Unfortunately they both fall on the same weekend, 5-7 December, but as they say, where there is a will there is a way. The infamous Vortex Party promises to be the ultimate psychedelic trance adventure featuring a headspace and peace camp to chill out and relax, a heart space with healing and massage workshops as well as thought-provoking films and documentaries and a community and environment outreach program. The other, lesser known festival, Sensation SA is all about sustainability and the “Green Experience”. The festival assures to be an intensive inspirational electronic music experience with local and international DJs guaranteeing non-stop dancing. There will be multiple stages, a chill out area as well as food, fires, bars and camping areas to help you make the venue your home for the weekend.

See the Connect-123 December Calendar for more on Cape Town events

A new day and a new group of Connect-123 interns embarks on a tour of the Cape peninsula. It was immediately clear to us that these new arrivals are a fantastic group, displaying the work, learn, explore attitude of Connect-123.

We started out traversing Chapmans Peak and stopped at the top of the pass to look back over Hout Bay and across the Atlantic Ocean. The next stop was Boulders Beach in Simonstown, well known for its penguin colony. After a fantastic brunch the team gathered on one of the characteristic granite boulders to confer about the previous evening in Long Street and discuss their work aspirations in the coming months.

Arriving at Cape Point we were confronted with two routes to the top; the tram or the footpath. With little consideration the whole group hiked to the lighthouse at the top of Cape Point for a rewarding vista. On the drive out we were surprised by a unique sighting of a baboon catching a lift on top of a car. This experience was a first for most of the interns but the baboon had the casual look of a daily commuter in traffic! Good luck to all the new arrivals in your commute to work on Monday morning. It is great to have you onboard the Connect-123 team.