JEFFREYS BAY – More than a year after its establishment, the Abancedi Community Development Centre in Ebumnyameni, an informal settlement in Oceanview, Jeffreys Bay, continues its mission to assist the underprivileged.
As previously reported, the Abancedi Community Development Centre was founded by Pastor Sakhekile Mbili in July 2024 to assist the many unemployed people in his community with food.
While the organisation initially fed at least 50 people twice a week, they have not been able to offer this service regularly due to a lack of donations. When they do receive donations, Mbili said that they ensure that meals are distributed, as well as food parcels, to families in need.
Sadly, he said that they have continued to see an increase in poverty with young people experimenting with drugs and alcohol, which he believes will only increase the socio-economic challenges in the area.
“There are many homes in the community that need assistance,” said Mbili.
Despite the challenges, he said that the community response remains positive. “The community appreciates what we do for them,” said Mbili.
To work towards assisting more people, he said that they have continued to nurture their vegetable garden but are in desperate need of more land to expand. “Our current garden is about 15×15 square metres. If we can gain access to an additional 15×15 square metres, that would assist us greatly,” said Mbili.
In addition to the need for space, he said that they also need fencing and poles.
Despite these challenges, Mbili said that the training offered by his organisation has shown success with multiple people securing jobs and some establishing their own small businesses.
“We have two people who are selling baked goods, while a few others are doing sewing. The plan, however, is to ensure that each person is registered as a business or non-profit organisation so that they can continue looking for opportunities,” said Mbili.
Looking to the future, he said that their goal is to offer young adults full-time employment in the vegetable garden.
For more information or to contribute towards the NPO, contact Pastor Sakhekile Mbili at 068 773 6895 or email Mbilisakhekile20@gmail.com.
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