Redefine Properties in partnership with First National Bank (FNB) Philanthropy, held discussion about asset based community development at Doppio Zero Rosebank Shopping Centre, in Johannesburg.
The two companies are rolling out a community engagement programme at Maponya Mall, aimed at developing and hosting a series of community-centred conversation in Soweto.
Redefine Properties Head of Marketing and Communications Marijke Coetzee said the conversations will be convened in the immediate vicinity of Maponya Mall. Coetzee added that Redefine adopted to asset based community development approach (ABCD), seeking to identify communities as partners possessing the agency. She added that they also possess the skills to develop and support solutions that deliver sustain transformation.
“Redefine Properties started engaging with people surrounding Maponya Mall in Soweto and created 15 permanent jobs. Entrepreneurs in the community were also given access to valuable space worth R1 million to display their services and products at no cost. Extensive engagement involved 1 000 community members, community-based organisations, local NGOs, political representatives, local businesses and entrepreneurs.
Our aim is to create a platform for people and communities to come together and achieve positive changes. In 2018 community, engagement took place through discussion, held through #ifihaditmyway. Through the hashtag, community and other stakeholders highlighted about the challenges they encounter and identified the already existing assets that could assist the challenges”, said Coetzee.
Coetzee said social change take place when communities mobilise and use assets, skills and strengths to create their long-term opportunities and solutions. Community development will not improve social challenges and important approach, aligned to our philosophy of using spaces to change lives.
FNB Head of Philanthropy Prince Siluma said approaches such as ABCD work successfully when communities are involved. Siluma added that community mobilization contributed to the solutions.
“This provided insights to Redefine social investment proposition and confirms that the approach will deliver positive impact. By the engagements, Redefine will prioritise activities in favour of working with youth, SMMEs and the NGOs active approximately the mall. The mentioned groups identified issues combating them from optimizing their potential and Redefine will engage them further to agree on interventions to support capacity building”, he said.
Siluma said ABCD needs employment, entrepreneurship and empowerment, which will be met through the efforts the community has invested in framing their needs and acting to advance quality of life.
“ABCD is asset based approach which seeks to find balance between acquiring needs and nurturing strengths and resources of communities. It is a self-discovery, identify strengths, capabilities and abilities to deliver tangible and positive outcomes. For instance, community from Soweto joined hands with Maponya Mall and that brought good outcomes. During discussions, there were surveys, focus groups and interviews. Based on gathered information and challenges, we recognised needs and agreed on focusing on health, safety, wellbeing, access to information, economic opportunity, capacity building and sustainable partnerships.
We implemented recommendations made by Maponya Mall tenants and Soweto community. These includes installing Wi-Fi, gave entrepreneurs exhibition space, golf cart purchased to transport pensioners from entrance and back, installed generators to light up the mall during load shedding, installation of extra lights in parking lot and around the edge of mall and 15 Community Policing Forum (CPF) security guards employed on permanent basis”, said Coetzee.
