The ChosiChosi Book Club in Philippi is a safe haven for young souls to escape their struggles. Established in 2019 by Sindeka Mandoyi, the club aims to nurture young minds, instill hope and resilience, and provide a beacon of light in a place often marginalized and consumed by adversity. Despite facing challenges such as a lack of reading resources in the children’s mother tongue, Sindeka is committed to her vision for the future of the club, which includes a larger space and opportunities to instill hope and resilience in the community.
Philippi, one of Cape Town’s poorest suburbs, is plagued by daily gunshots, murders, robberies, and carjackings. The local authorities struggle to keep up with the situation, and even dustbin collectors have withdrawn services due to safety concerns. The problem has escalated to the point where a cleaning company contracted to the City of Cape Town is in trouble due to a syndicate extorting protection money from government contractors.
The recent state visit to South Africa by King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium highlighted a successful corporate social responsibility project in the Philippi Village hub of Cape Town. One of the key sponsors of the project was Air Belgium, which is committed to improving the communities it serves. The project involved the renovation of a soccer pitch that had been in a state of disrepair for years. Thanks to the fundraising efforts of the Belgian business community in South Africa, the rise was wholly revamped, including the provision of soccer kits and equipment.