The Coronavirus has silenced the arts almost completely, and I think many fundraising opportunities too.
When I ponder the future of the arts amid this pandemic, I also wonder how all those NGOs and NPOs manage to stay afloat in this economic nightmare.
This should be worrying to the government as well, because most of the time these organisations end up doing more for the community.
They are there every week, sometimes every day, running soup kitchens and handing out food parcels or bread and with their funding being limited, and the possibility of hosting a fundraiser rendered impossible, many people will suffer if we do not assist these organisations.
That is why I found it amazing when I was invited to a Youth Day event by an organisation called Residents for Change in Heideveld.
I thought these events were done for now that we are in the midst of a third wave of Covid.
But I found this event surprisingly well organised in the middle of Betsy Court.
On the one side they had soccer and netball matches, while the other side, which was closed off with fencing, you had the live entertainment.
Spokesperson Mureeda Cozyn says: “We were lucky and blessed that so many good people came on board to assist us to make this a memorable event for the people of Heideveld and we thank them all.
“We have an amazing team at Residents for Change: Wiedaad Adams (founder and co-ordinator), Shaamila Salie (personal assistant), the Sauls family and Nathan Adams.
“Our intention was to feed 400 people and in the end we went way over 600 and that is the barakah (blessings) that the Almighty has placed there, alhamdulillah.”
Events like these make one realise the beauty of these types of organisations and how we need to get behind them and back them especially during this pandemic.
I was also pleasantly surprised to see the Atchas (minstrel team) make an appearance, much to the delight of the audience.
Trophies and prizes were handed out to the winners of the soccer and netball tournaments.
Residents for Change also hosted a miniature battle of the bands competition, a dance battle and singing competition for their kids, and no-one walked away empty-handed.
It was definitely a happy environment to be in on Youth Day and I sensed that this was a community that is growing closer together.
The link between entertainers and the community was evident when South Africa’s Got Talent winner James Bhemgee appeared to loud applause and excitement.
I could see that the people who love their community and who love to take care of their community put their heads and resources together to bring positivity into their community with the hope of inspiring their youth on their special day.
When speaking to Mureeda, one can hear the appreciation she has for all the organisations who came on board.
They would love to host more of these types of events but she says for that, they will need more funding and sponsorship.
With that said, if you wish to make an impact and know that your charity is reaching those in real need, then please Residents for Change.
I think if artists and community organisations can find middle ground to work on events like this, we can all survive this pandemic, soes die ou mense altyd sê, “die een hand was die anner”.
dailyvoice@inl.co.za