The tribe that gathered at We Are Africa 2024 once again proved to be a beacon of hope and innovation in the high-end travel industry on the continent. This year’s event highlighted tourism’s transformative power and its ability to create positive change in local communities.

At the heart of the event was the continued partnership with Uthando (Love) South Africa, a non-profit organisation that bridges the gap between tourism and community development. James Fernie, founder of Uthando, presented a compelling “Walk the Talk” session on “The Heart of Cape Town – The Transformative Power of Tourism,” showcasing the impact of collaborative efforts between the travel industry and local initiatives.

The We Are Africa tribe raised an impressive R421,162.50, which was distributed among various community development projects. These included Abalimi Bezekhaya, an urban farming initiative; the Amy Foundation, which empowers youth through after-school programs; and Christel House School South Africa, which provides quality education to children from impoverished backgrounds. Find out more about the community projects that have directly benefited from this year’s donation.

Abalimi Bezekhaya “Farmers of Home”

We all need food. We all need love.
Farmers grow our food, but they can only do it with dedication and love. Abalimi Bezekhaya, the heart and soul of urban farming in the townships, is a beacon of hope and resilience. For four decades, Abalimi Bezekhaya has sown seeds of empowerment and nurtured communities all over Cape Town. Their mission is not just about cultivating crops; it’s about cultivating dreams, aspirations, and self-sufficiency. Abalimi doesn’t just provide training and resources; it provides hope. Equipping individuals with the knowledge and tools to feed themselves and their families, breaking the cycle of dependence and poverty. By fostering food security and income generation – not only feeding bodies but also nourishing souls. Reminding us that change starts from the ground up and that every seed planted is a step towards a brighter tomorrow.

Amy Foundation

Our community isn’t defined by the challenges we face but by the courage with which we confront them. Every child and youth empowered through the Amy Foundation after-school and youth skills development programmes, every heart touched, is a testament to the strength of unity, compassion and love. In every corner of this city and country, hope is not a distant dream but a living reality nurtured by the belief that change begins with us. Amy Biehl’s legacy reminds us that even in the face of tragedy, love and forgiveness can heal wounds and unite hearts. Her spirit lives on in the work of the foundation, inspiring bridges to be built and turning adversity into opportunity. Sowing seeds of empowerment, nurturing the growth of every individual, knowing that their prosperity enriches the entire community.

“Thank you for being part of this journey towards a brighter tomorrow, where Amy’s legacy and the Power of Collaboration continue to transform lives and nourish hearts. Together, we educate, develop and empower the youth of tomorrow. Together, we continue to change lives!” – Amy Foundation

Eyes2Eyes – Stepping into the Light

Corneal blindness affects more than 12 million people around the globe. 80% of this is preventable. South Africa is no different, except that corneal services in our country are hugely under-resourced. For patients as young as 8, this means very long waiting times to get help.

The Eyes2Eyes Foundation’s vision is to deliver dignified, patient-centred eye care to the most vulnerable in our communities.

No child or young adult should be denied the right to sight restoration when it is possible. The gift of sight means a child can go to school, a young adult can further their studies, and parents can provide for their families and actively engage in our economy.

Part of your donation has gone toward restoring 12-year-old Keziah-Lee’s eyesight. Thank you, tribe!

Ladles of Love

Ladles of Love has grown from serving 70 meals at their very first soup kitchen to one of the most prolific food charity organisations in South Africa. Today, they provide food relief to community kitchens, schools, early childhood centres and shelters with much-needed bulk non-perishables and fresh produce, allowing them to touch the lives of the vulnerable who need food now more than ever.

“Have you ever put thought to what love is or have you ever tried to define love? I know I have and what I have come to realise is that there is no definition or words one can put to love. I believe if we do define love, we put a cage around it and like a beautiful bird that is put on this earth to share its song and beauty, it is also put on this earth to be able to fly free and share its beauty and song with all of us. The minute we put it in a cage we are keeping it all for ourselves. Love is not for me alone. Love is for everyone and everything – it’s what keeps our hearts beating. The Power of Collaboration is one such act of love. It brings us together in acts of kindness. It ignores gender, colour and religion, and it brings the human being in us alive. It keeps hope alive. Ladles of Love is what drives me – because it drives love – it drives the Power of Collaboration. It has brought together organisations like Uthando (Love) South Africa, who are out there raising funds for us so that we can support the more than 130 soup kitchens and Early Childhood Development Centres daily and provide hope to those who have none. Together, through this Power of Collaboration, we have provided 43 million meals in times of crisis. Together, we have provided 43 million bowls of Hope.” – Danny Diliberto, Founder of Ladles of Love

Masi Creative Hub

Masiphumelele Creative Hub (MCH) is a South African non-profit organisation founded in 2017 by Yandiswa Mazwana. Its mission is to provide a safe, supportive, and educational environment where community members can use the power of creativity and art to overcome their daily challenges.

When the national lockdown started in South Africa in March 2020, MCH set up a feeding scheme for children up to grade 5. The organisation ran 7 feeding stations across Masiphumelele and provided approximately 1,100 meals per day.

MCH has made food security the cornerstone of its work. By focusing on growing and supplying healthy food, sports, art, and after-school care classes, we encourage Masiphumelele youth to participate in preserving and nourishing their own resources.

“As I become more empowered in my community work, I have grown to respect the vital role of the tourism industry and We Are Africa. Our vision is to create a safe, supportive, and educational environment where the community can harness the power of creativity and art to overcome daily struggles and challenges. We deeply appreciate the tourism industry’s support in helping us provide the children and youth of Masiphumelele with access to a better future and encouraging them to take responsibility for their community’s development.” – Yandiswa Mazwana, Founder Masi Creative Hub

Philisa Abafazi Bethu “Heal our Women”

Philisa Abafazi Bethu’s mission has always focused on healing women, especially in the realms of gender-based violence prevention and child protection. Over the years, Philisa Abafazi Bethu has expanded to include programmes that reach young women, the elderly, children, LGBTQIA+ persons and men. Programmes are developed on the basis of the needs felt by people and developments in the communities we serve.

At Philisa Abafazi Bethu, the aim is to actively educate our people and our communities on gender-based violence prevention. Aiming to be an organisation that others can rely on for protection and reassurance in the community of Lavender Hill, Steenberg and the surrounding areas in the Western Cape of South Africa. They will stop at nothing to make sure that women, children, the elderly, and LGBTQIA+ persons have a place that offers them hope in their often intolerable situations.

The tribe’s commitment to sustainability was evident at the popular We Are Africa Tree-athlon this year with &Beyond Weeva. Despite the day proving why it’s called the “Cape of Storms,” over 185 trees were planted at Christel House School South Africa, adding to the more than 300 trees planted over the past three years.

The Heart of Cape Town project took centre stage, with over 2,000 wire hearts distributed to global tourism stakeholders. Each heart carried a message of peace, kindness, and love from South Africa, symbolising the country’s journey of reconciliation and its relevance to current global challenges.

Music played a significant role during the week, with choirs like Isibane se Afrika and Major Voices welcoming attendees each morning as they walked down the orange carpet, embodying the vibrant spirit of African culture.

Uthando (Love) South Africa facilitated media trips to community projects in Cape Town’s townships, allowing journalists to witness firsthand the impact of sustainable tourism initiatives.

Serge Dive, CEO and Founder of This is Beyond Limited, expressed his enthusiasm for the event’s success and its alignment with responsible tourism practices. “We Are Africa is not just a trade show; it’s a movement towards a more conscious and impactful travel industry,” he stated.

The We Are Africa tribe also supports a key project in Early Childhood Development (ECD) with a great drive towards the Goal50 Edu Hub, a proposed early childhood development centre in Cape Town, South Africa, aiming to be a groundbreaking and environmentally sustainable project. The school will be constructed using innovative methods, incorporating 6000 tyre walls, eco-bricks (plastic bottles filled with rubbish), and recycled materials. This construction approach is designed to address issues of waste management, sustainability, and climate change while providing quality education facilities. Find out more about this ground-breaking initiative.

The project has gained significant support from local government officials, including the Deputy Mayor of Cape Town, Alderman Eddie Andrews, and Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, Alderman James Vos. Professor Eric Atmore, a respected early childhood development expert, has praised the concept, comparing it favourably to Ulwazi Educare, a similar project that he considers to be in the top 1% of ECDs he has encountered. The initiative aims to inspire hope, raise awareness about early childhood education, and potentially spark a “building revolution” by demonstrating the effectiveness of sustainable construction methods.

We are thrilled to announce that after several years of absolute dedication and determination, all stakeholders involved are now in the very final stretch until construction begins on Goal50 ECD. The ground-breaking ceremony will soon take place with the CEO of Allianz (Germany), Mr Kanning and Deputy Mayor, Alderman Eddie Andrews. 

As the curtains close on We Are Africa 2024, it’s clear that when tourism and community development work together, the results can be truly transformative.

Melisa Harvey