Nurturing home-grown development in South Africa

www.thatu.org

Summertime in England

Thatu at Lambeth fete in south London

I hope some of you have seen us at various events – Jabulas, walks, runs and fetes – in and around London and elsewhere this summer. It's hard work, but we are getting a really good response from the public.

Meantime, in South Africa, I'm delighted to report that things are really moving.

We are just about to start a Penny-Pinchers campaign – please help. Details are below.

Yours ubuntu'fully
Margery Povall and Thatu Trustees
info@thatu.org

Cape Flats schools graduate

Ramon Adams tells us that a graduation ceremony was held for all four Thatu starter schools which passed the rigorous SEED Sustainabiliity Index in July. They are now in the second year Intermediate phase and will continue to cultivate the almost inhospitable sandy flats just outside Cape town.

The schools had to show that they met the basic requirements for an ‘outdoor classroom’: perimeter fencing, planted windbreaks, rainwater harvesting system, and basic composting and vermiculture systems.

Vegetables have been planted and will soon be ready to be harvested. Given the extremely harsh growing conditions on the Cape Flats, this really is quite an achievement. Our congratulations go to Ramon and the dedicated people in the schools. The Thatu website (www.thatu.org) has more information on their progress and plans.

Lotus Gardens grows

Lotus Gardens near Pretoria (Tshwane) continues to thrive under the guidance of John Nzira and Lawrence Tshuma of

John Nzira visited St Lukes school in Kingston, and, here, the Windmill allotments in Brixton in May

Ukuvuna. When the first crops appeared, more volunteers came forward and the school has borrowed a tractor to clear another large area for them.

Almost daily, spinach, cabbage, beetroot and other crops are being harvested. Training sessions have begun for teachers, volunteer nurses and pupils (learners as they are known in South Africa), and for the new members.

Quotes for extending the watering system to the new area are also being obtained. Lessons have already been learnt about the need for careful management: tomatoes and herbs which had not been properly protected were damaged by severe frosts recently.

Penny Pinch!

We need you and your friends and colleagues to penny-pinch! Specifically we need to fund the third year of the SEED project, and help create our next food garden, possibly a garden to feed HIV AIDs patients.

Harvesting

So we are about to launch a major campaign – Penny Pinchers – to encourage people to donate their small change to Thatu. Please start saving your small change for us as every little bit helps!

Soon we will send you a Penny Pinchers label with instructions, and a bank bag for paying in your first contribution. If you don't want to take part, please pass the label on to a friend or a colleague. If you don't want a pack, please let us know.

We hope you will be a pioneer of Penny-Pinchers which we will launch nationwide when we've smoothed out any potential glitches.

It is your support that is key to making things happen.

Does your employer run a Two-for-One Charity Scheme?

If you volunteer for Thatu’s penny-pinching scheme or raise funds in other ways, you might be able to double the amount Thatu will get for your efforts by getting your employers to match the amount you have raised. We know that many large organisations already run Two-for-One Schemes.

Running for money

Catherine McGarey, one of our trustees did complete her 10k run on one of the hottest days of the year and raised £420 for Thatu. Susan Law, another trustee, also raised £230 from a sponsored walk. Thanks, Susan and Catherine!

STOP PRESS

Anne Watts - Patron

Anne Watts CBE who has become a good friend to Thatu has agreed to become our first patron. More next time.

Thatu Concert

Jeff Finlin (often to be heard on Bob Harris BBC Radio programme) is playing a gig for Thatu at Kingsclere, near Newbury on Sunday 17 September at 6pm. Entrance is by donation (£10 minimum). For more details call 01635 299116 or email finlin@palam.co.uk

Keep contributing

You have already been generous. But we always need more, especially small and regular standing orders. You can now also donate to Thatu online instantly by credit card via PayPal. Simply click on the button below (also available via the website) to donate. Legacies: your will can support Thatu, see Legacy for details.

If you would prefer to receive a hard copy of our newsletter, or no longer wish to receive one, please email us at info@thatu.org

Thatu is a UK Registered Charity No. 1108655