Re-Invention in 2011

Yizwa is pulling up it's socks and changing direction in 2011. Working from Nottingham Rd just became too complicated and it seems that Mpophomeni is the place for us. With the addition of Ntombenhle Mtambo to the team it sems we have the drive to delve into much more needy territory and make a difference.
We are currently writing up a proposal to transform a piece of wasteland in the middle of the township into a thriving permaculture garden and pop in spot so have lots of work ahead of us!
The municipality are happy for us to use the land as it benefits the community. Ntombenhle lives around the corner on the greenest street in the area and her neighbours are keen to volunteer and support this project.
We'll keep you posted.
From our wellies to yours.
xxxx The Yizwaks

Latest things on the Go

Yizwa EcoArt Creative Team is gearing up for some events- Dalton Private Nature Reserve is opening it's gates to the public for the first time in on Eco Saturday 17 April 2010 in aid of it's early Childhood Development programme and Yizwa will be there in force running an educators training session and generally adding fun and frolicks to the proceeedings.
On the 5 June Yizwa will be putting on The Big Green Day at Nottingham Road Combined School. Schools from around the Meander will be invited and there will be stands, art happenings and creative environmental shows in the grounds of this school to inspire and enthuse.

Strange Doings...

Juggling children, yoga, food gardening, fingerpuppets, natural science lessons and endless proposals the Yizwa Creative Goddesses found inspiration in some delicious artworks and photo stuffs from Bomobob on Etsy.

To the Mountains...

A little update from the Yizwa Front. The great and worthy office staff (that's Tasha & I in pyjamas with laptops)have been steadily tapping away sending proposals and bugging worthy folk for support. In between this I drove up the pot-holed and gravelly roads with stupendous views of the Drakensberg to the Dalton Education Trust Centre to meet with community members and help in the design of a permaculture garden. This garden will feed the local pre-school children who come to the centre from miles around to do motor-neuron skills training. What a glorious place, on the bend of a rushing river with a big iron bridge arching across the span and Nguni cattle wandering through the masses of Red Hot Pokers in full flower.

First Hip Hop Class

The first Hip Hop class started on Feb 6 at Yizwa Centre. It was a blast and the children had a brilliant time. The Yizwa crew slaved for hours decorating the movement room with delicious sari's and then collapsed in a heap as energetic jane the Hip Hop Queen took control..

The YIZWAKs

Tasha Saha
Yoga & Art instructor

Alluson Zuma
Renowned Sculptor

Eidin Griffin
Food gardener & Creative play specialist

Dumisane Shange
Art Educator & Facilitator for Room 13 project

Laila Smith-Blose
Life skills specialist

Emile Scholtz
Educator, photographer & illustrator

Visiting Artist in Residence from August 2010
Eithne Griffin
Fine artist, expert clown, puppeteer & resource specialist

Leaves for Trees...

This picture was taken during the Big Green Day in June of last year when we brought 11 schools together to do environmental learning & share ideas. It was a blast!