Molsvlei

The Molsvlei Community Development Organisation (MCDO)

A rural way of life still reigns in Molsvlei, a small isolated town between Doringbaai and Spoegrivier in the Northern Cape.  It has a population between 400 and 500 people who live in about 95 - 100 houses.  There are no high schools in the area and no public transport.  Donkey carts are still a frequently used method of transport, and goat and sheep farming are the main activities.  Most income is from summer seasonal work on the farms around Molsvlei where both men and women work for small amounts of money.  In winter the unemployment rates are particularly high.  There is a high level of illiteracy and funds for high school education and higher learning outside of Molsvlei are hard to come by. 

  The road to Molsvlei

There is no mobile phone reception in Molsvlei and no internet access.  Despite these challenges, the staff and Committee of the Molsvlei Community Development Organisation are dedicated and energetic community members.   Their hard work and tenacity is particularly inspiring to the Scat staff members who work with the staff of the Organisation. The Organisation was established in 2005 and since then has made a remarkable difference to the lives of those in Molsvlei. 

The Molsvlei Community Development Organisation (MCDO) occupies a wendy house (small wooden structure) that consists of only one room.  In winter it leaks which which poses a risk of damage to equipment.  It is easy to find the Office as is strategically located next to the clinic.  The building is the property of the organisation. 

  Community Centre office

The Molsvlei Community Organisation plays a vital role within and around the town’s social and economic development and it is clear that they will continue to do so even though they are faced with challenges of isolation and limited services.  The community is crippled by unemployment.  Many local attempts were made to improve employment over the last year even though it is on a small scale. The Organisation also took part in awareness campaigns and presented workshops around HIV & AIDS and gender issues.  The Organisation is one of the only places where community members can access services such as guidance with CV’s, the sending of faxes, applications for grants and other general administrative assistance. 

The Organisation recently started an aftercare school program in consultation with the community for which they received funding from the Department of Social Development. With these funds they have implemented a feeding scheme/after school program for 20 children and their families.  5 people in the community are employed to cook with 1 person allocated to cook per month.  With the Department of Social Development support, the Organisation also conducted a youth camp which focused on HIV awareness and life skills orientation.  Karate lessons are presented twice a week for learners who attend the aftercare program. The parents of the children who attend the program were also included by conducting a session on child-parent relations.    

  People walking through Molsvlei

Job creation is the most important goal for the Molsvlei Organisation.  In 2011 people working at the Organisation managed to secure jobs as grave diggers for a few members of the community. They have thus far dug 20 graves.  The Organisation's tireless Coordinator, Theresa Marais, is part of the coordinating committee of a campaign to raise the wages of farm workers and farm dwellers. The experience has sharpened her political consciousness and sense of activism which in turn is beneficial for her community.  The Organisation is also conducting regular awareness raising sessions with the community, in particular with the youth. They have also conducted a joint workshop on HIV and Gender Based Violence with the Spoegrivier Advice Office.  31 community members attended.  Various other programs include a holiday program which covers a variety of aspects such as the implications of early school leaving, alcohol and drug abuse and teenage pregnancies. 

In an ongoing attempt to contribute to job creation, or rather to contribute to job readiness, the Organisation is involved in procuring code 10 licenses for community members.  7 individuals passed in 2011. 

  The main road passing through Molsvlei

The Molsvlei Community office is involved with the (now defunct) Bitterfontien Advice Office in the National Development Agency (NDA) funded brick making project by identifying community members whom can work and benefit from the project.  11 Community members are employed by the project.  For more information go to Scat's News feature on the Brick-making Project:  www.scat.org.za/news/molsvlei-brick-making-project-victory

The Molsvlei office staff are diligent in sending regular reports and attending and documenting regular committee meetings.   With very limited resources and a small community, in 2011 they managed to raise R8 228.75 from Scat’s Fundraising Incentive Scheme (FRIS), R6 000 from Scat’s Development Fund for Training (DFT) for their drivers license project as well as R3 800 from Scat’s HIV DFT for a gender workshop.  Valuable partnerships has been build with the National Development Agency, the clinic, the elderly club in Molsvlei as well as Department of Social Development. 

The Molsvlei Organisation is one of Scat’s most under resourced and hardworking partners and is in need of support in any form. 

  Scat Field Worker Erna van der Westhuizen holding a workshop outside the Molsvlei office due to lack of light and warmth inside

Molsvlei Community Development Organisation (MCDO)
P.O. Box 60 RIETPOORT, 8202
Tel/Fax: 027 632 5145
Contact: Theresa Marais