Oh Horrors!!! -Chosen for World Design Capital Cape Town 2014 -

    HANDS OF HONOUR INCLUDED WORLD DESIGN CAPITAL CAPE TOWN 2014                               RECOGNITION AGAIN BUT NO CIGAR .......AGAIN

In the four years of our existence we have been privileged to be considered for some awards and have also received the odd recognition from National Govt.Departments.We are particularly proud of a signed and very official looking South African Police Statement acknowledging the work we do has impacted the lives of so many young and adult men caught up in the vicious cycle of intermittent homelessness,drugs and gang activities,that crime has actually been reduced in our community.This is reflected in the official crime statistics for our community.

This recognition , at the time ,seemed to be an indication that progress was being made. 

Other accolades and awards  included:

1. *Winner - Unlimited SA Award 2013
2. *Nominee - Rockefeller Foundation Next Century award 2013
3. *Finalist - Deutsche Bank Urban Age Award Cape Town 2012
4. *Finalist -  Social Enterprise Bus. Plan -Dept.Econ. Dev. 2011

While it was nice to receive the recognition ,assistance and/or advice from Government was non-existent,apart from a photo opportunity with the Premier Helen Zille at Deutsche Bank  UA Award.To say Government officials lack vision would be putting it mildly.I cite two instances ,with elected Government representatives that leave a bitter taste in the mouth.

1. In 2011 Hands of Honour were averaging fifty men per weekly meeting.The meetings were made up of young and adult men who were determined to forsake their destructive lifestyles and ,if a given a fair chance,fulfill their roles as breadwinners and role-models  in their communities.When  I  engaged the then Provincial Minister of Safety, at a public meeting about any advice/support assistance he had for me and our organization ,his reply was ''i don't have painting jobs for men ''.No wonder our communities on the Cape Flats perish,our leaders have no vision.Thank God the folks at UnLtd SA ,all the way from the UK,introduced me to Social Enterprises.Hands of Honour now has an Up-cycling Centre which sustains us economically.
2. In 2012 Hands of Honour began a successful partnership with corporations,notably The Foschini Group.This partnership entailed receiving all The Foschini Group's obsolete stock and recyclables.Hands of Honour then employs the “unemployable” in South Africa—those who have experienced homelessness, crime and/or substance abuse—to up-cycle obsolete stock and recyclable items and in the process  earn a living.This partnership is currently flourishing with jobs being created and negative spaces being transformed into productive spaces as part of our community development program.          Tons of obsolete stock were coming our way,resulting in us needing a piece of land to house our Hands of Honour Up-cycling Centre.I approached the local representative of the City of Cape Town with regards to leasing a piece of land and was told to submit a proposal.I managed to  involve some experts in the drawing up of the proposal and duly submitted same to the local City of Cape Town representatives.                                      FOUR MONTHS LATER WHEN I VISITED THE OFFICIAL I FOUND OUT SHE DID NOT EVEN BOTHER TO OPEN THE EMAIL THAT CONTAINED OUR PROPOSAL

This lack of progress had had a detrimental effect on the moral of the men.with a few even leaving to once again delve in ant-social activities .

Once again - Recognition -World Design Capital Cape Town -How is this going to help us

I received this mail today,below..                            

We are pleased to inform you that Hands of Honour is to be recognized in the official programme of World Design Capital Cape Town 2014 (WDC 2014). Exceptional projects that demonstrate scale, impact and/or a contribution to the WDC 2014 vision have been selected to form part of the programme. Congratulations,this is a great achievement.

Calling all Corporations or any individual  who want to be seen as a force for the greater good. Help us let the City of Cape Town see the light and give us just a small,teeny-weeney piece of land for our Up-cycling Centre

I can be contacted at at handsofhonour@gmail.com - telefaz -0217030360 mobile 0721389150