Bafenyi ka Bakwena ABCD project
Co-creating asset-based community development along South Africa’s national roads
With a road network spanning over 385km – running form the City of Tshwane to the Botswana border – the Bakwena Platinum Corridor is an important economic and transport linkage for South Africa.
Zutari collaborated with the concession company to position the N4 national road and the infrastructure upgrades as an asset to the community – paving new enterprise and community development opportunities for a better quality of life.
Most communities experience the visible impact of new infrastructure, but very seldom is this effectively connected to community development and employment creation. This is what the Bafenyi ka Bakwena asset-based community development (ABCD) project aims to achieve: to empower the community surrounding the N4 toll concession to realise that they are drivers of their own development.
Through a collaborative effort with the concession company, Bakwena Platinum Corridor Concessionaire Ltd, Zutari developed a programme – using the asset-based community development method – to help the surrounding community develop networks, discover assets and use these to identify and start small- and large-scale initiatives for the benefit of the whole community.
The project kicked off with various engagements with community leadership structures and organisations. This was in partnership with government representatives to negotiate alignment with the larger development goals in the region. The independence and transparency of the process ensured its smooth running and that the project was not hampered or beholden to any particular group or agenda. A total of 15 community Champions were selected on a volunteer basis to represent five different wards in the Rustenburg area.
A total of 15 community Champions were selected on a volunteer basis to represent five different wards in the Rustenburg area.
“I now know how to plant my own vegetables and provide food for my family without spending money,” said Nomangesi Sobahle.
The Champions were trained in the ABCD methodology through an initial five-day workshop and received valuable life-skills training in subsequent monthly workshops.
The Champions began a digital asset-mapping process to increase new project identification in communities when the nationwide lockdown was implemented due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Even Covid-19 could not stop the passion and enthusiasm of the Champions. Although they were no longer able to continue with face-to-face community engagements and projects, they continued engaging their communities on social media and other online platforms. Hence a ‘home-based’ style of ABCD started to flourish. The Zutari Communication and Stakeholder Engagement Team developed branded Covid-19 messages that were sent out to Champions to disseminate through social media to family, friends and their communities.
One key initiatives that has made a lasting difference is the Eat What You Grow (EWYG) initiative, situated along the Bakwena route, which was successfully rolled out in 2020 in partnership with Zutari, CapaSity and Sakata Seed Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd and MayFord Seeds. EWYG teaches people to grow their own vegetable gardens and in doing so create a sustainable livelihood for themselves and their families.
“No one in my family goes to bed hungry anymore,” said Buang Molefe from Majakaneng, one of the project participants.
Bakwena chief operating officer Solomon Kganyago: “It is encouraging to note that through these partnerships, training and support, we have been able to make a difference and help communities during these difficult times.”
“I now know how to plant my own vegetables and provide food for my family without spending money,” said Nomangesi Sobahle.
“No one in my family goes to bed hungry anymore,” said Buang Molefe from Majakaneng.
*The Aurecon Africa business has been officially renamed Zutari as at 21 July 2020. Zutari acquired Aurecon Middle East on 20 November 2020.
