TSHAKUMA – A novel concept, combining community education with national and international tourism, is now taking shape near the fruit and vegetable market at Tshakuma.

A unique community development centre, planned under the guidance of Mashudu Projects, will provide space for community development workshops and planning sessions as well as an educational resource library and accommodation for NGOs like the Sibasa-based Centre for Positive Care, complemented by a tourist centre and tea garden.

Mashudu Projects is a registered charity in the United Kingdom, working for sustainable community development. Ms Linda Mannas, coordinator of Mashudu Projects, said in an interview this week it was envisaged that the tea garden and tourism amenities would help to fund the educational part of the centre.

Linda has spent the better part of the last four years on initiating and coordinating community development work in the Vhembe Region and has been living in Tshakuma with the Rasalanavho family. Since 2000, when she first came as a volunteer for the international Link Community Development organisation, she spent six months of the year in South Africa and six month in the United Kingdom. For the past three years, as coordinator for Mashudu Projects, she has had the assistance of volunteers coming from England, Germany, New Zeeland and the USA, who were involved in projects at various schools, including the special school at Tshilidzini and three primary schools at Tshakuma.

Mashudu Projects has been networking with various other community-based volunteer organisations, active in youth work and specialised care-giving, also for the aged. It worked in secondary schools along with the Makomba-ndlela youth movement, promoting HIV/AIDS awareness and the reduction of crime amongst juveniles, by promoting a healthy lifestyle and positive attitude. It also assisted the Hlanganani Society for the Aged with home-based care.

“We are totally depending on donations and private funding. At present, we are looking for donations of materials or money to complete the Community Development Centre,” says Linda.

Mashuda Projects hosts a website at www.mashudu.org. Linda can also be contacted at her e-mail address, [email protected] or at Tel 084 351 8953.