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> Read the Daily Maverick Op-ed by Deon Snyman here.

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> Read the Daily Maverick Op-ed by Deon Snyman here.

The post Daily Maverick: Planting Justice appeared first on Goedgedacht Trust South Africa.

By Deon Snyman.

If you follow the winding road into the Riebeek Valley early on a summer morning, you may miss one of the most important acts of public memory in South Africa today. It is not happening in Parliament, nor in a museum, but on a rural hill beside a modest interfaith chapel. Each December, people gather at Goedgedacht to plant olive trees—not as decoration, but as defiance.

This year’s gathering took place on Sunday, 7 December 2025, when families, activists, theologians, and community members once again came together to honour those who defied apartheid under the Christian Institute (CI).

What happens here is far more than ceremony.
It is an act of political recovery.

Dr Thami Gamedze (speaker), Fr Michael Lapsley and Dr Frank Chikane (speaker) at the Christian Institute Event.

A Grove Where Memory Refuses to Die

South Africa forgets too quickly. The apartheid state attempted not only to silence dissidents but to erase their names, their stories, their communities. At Goedgedacht, that erasure is being undone—tree by tree.

Three years ago, the idea felt fragile:
A grove of olive trees, one for each CI member or moral witness whose courage carried the struggle between 1963 and 1977.

On the day of the first gathering, portraits of Beyers and Ilse Naudé, Theo and Helen Kotzé, Rick Turner, June Chabaku, Christmas Tinto, Bennie Khoapa, Peter Randall, Anne Browne, and many others lined the chapel walls. Families who had not met in decades embraced. Activists long exiled from public conversation stood with quiet tears.

Someone whispered:

“We thought we were forgotten.”

Twenty-seven olive trees were planted that day.

Each tree stood for a story.
Each story for a wound.
Each wound, at last, was witnessed.

A Name Is a World—and South Africa Needs Its Names Back

To speak a name aloud is a political act.
Especially Steve Biko.

When Biko’s name is spoken at the grove, the crowd grows still. His legacy, intertwined with the Christian Institute through shared friendships, moral clarity, and State repression, reverberates across generations. His philosophy of Black Consciousness shaped the very defiance that the apartheid state feared most.

But the grove honours not only the well-known.

To speak the names of Tsankie “Ali” Modiakgotla, Des Adendorff, Trudy Thomas, Alex and Khosi Mbatha, or Bishop Patrick Matolengwe is equally an act of justice. Modia­kgotla’s fragile, handwritten testimony of torture—kept alive only through family memory—was read beside his tree. Under another tree, a daughter touched the bark and said only:
“Finally.”

In a country drowning in amnesia, the grove answers with stubborn clarity:
Memory must be replanted.

Why Olive Trees and Not Statues?

At the 2025 gathering, Dr Thandi Gamedze—a scholar, educator, and poet at UWC’s Desmond Tutu Centre whose work explores how theology, culture, and justice intersect—offered a striking insight:

Statues tower above us: cold, fixed, dominating.
Olive trees root among us: fragile at first, then stubbornly alive.

In an era when statues are toppled, defended, weaponised, or ignored, olive trees offer a different politics of memory—one grounded in renewal, humility, and responsibility.

And, as Gamedze reminded the gathering, memory is not local.
From Sudan to Palestine to Cape Town’s own forced removals, our struggles echo each other.

When Memory Becomes Confrontation

The afternoon on 7 December 2025 was not a soft space.

Dr Frank Chikane—theologian, anti-apartheid activist, and former Director-General in the Presidency—delivered this year’s keynote with characteristic clarity. He warned that South Africa is again in danger: corruption, violence, inequality, and political decay threaten the moral foundations of democracy.

“It is not only remembrance,” Chikane said.
“It is instruction.”

His warning was followed by Mike van Graan, the acclaimed playwright and cultural leader whose body of work has shaped African theatre for decades. Reading from Samaritan, he confronted Gaza, empire, and the weaponisation of religion.

These were not comfortable speeches.
They were necessary ones.

A National Archive Growing in a Rural Chapel

Inside the Goedgedacht barn, the Christian Institute Justice Library is taking shape:
– Christine Crowley’s charcoal portraits
– Letters from Berlin, Auckland, Vienna, Johannesburg
– Biographies of activists detained, banned, exiled
– Stories of families who carried memory alone for decades

The SADOCC Centre in Vienna wrote:

“A well-deserved tribute to people of hope.”

This library is becoming the archive South Africa failed to build.

The Grove Refuses Religious Borders

Though rooted in the CI’s story, the grove refuses confinement to one faith tradition.

The CI included Christians, agnostics, Muslims, Jews, and secular radicals.
Future trees may honour Imam Abdullah Haron or Franz Auerbach, the Jewish educator who fled Nazi Germany and spent his life fighting for justice in South Africa.

This is not a grove of dogma.
It is a grove of courage.

Where Young People Learn the Names

Some of the most powerful moments each year are quiet ones:

A teenager reading every line of a portrait.
A girl from Riebeek West saying,
“I want to bring my class here.”
A grandson whispering,
“Now people know who she was.”

This is how a country heals—through inheritance, not instruction.

Horst Kleinschmidt’s Challenge to the Present

Former CI leader Horst Kleinschmidt, whose energy drives this project, warned that South Africa is again “skating on thin ice.” Unrest rises daily. Inequality is intolerable. And justice, once more, feels fragile.

Repression never succeeds, he reminded us—but nor does nostalgia.

Memory must become mobilisation.

Justice Must Be Replanted in Every Generation

At the centre of the grove stands a dedication:

Remember. Reflect. Honour. Learn. Act.

These are not gentle suggestions.
They are instructions—carved from the lives of those who stood for truth and bore scars for justice.

One day, long after today’s crises fade, a child will sit beneath these olive trees and ask:

“Who were these people?”

And the grove will answer.

The post PLANTING JUSTICE appeared first on Goedgedacht Trust South Africa.

The Agri Worker of the Year competition celebrated its 12th anniversary this year — an initiative that began in De Doorns and has since grown into a provincial celebration of agricultural workers’ dedication and hard work. With the support of the Department of Agriculture and Development, the competition has gained momentum each year and has become a platform to honour the people behind our foodproduction. Since the inception in 2002, the competition has grown significantly now involving 16 regions, participating 11 categories with total of 1393 for this year, says Dr Mogale Sebopetsa, HOD Western Cape Department of Agriculture.

Goedgedacht Leads the Way in Swartland

This year was especially significant for Goedgedacht: our Social Development Department was appointed as the regional coordinator for the Swartland. Under the leadership of Anna Nonbangela, our team hit the dusty roads — from farm to farm, as far as Org de Rac on the border of Swartland and Bergrivier — to raise awareness and recruit participants. Farm managers and workers were encouraged to take part, and the response was overwhelming.

A Celebration of Hard Work

The competition aims to honour agricultural workers for their daily sacrifices — from early mornings to late evenings in the fields, packing sheds, livestock production, and other roles that ensure everything runs smoothly. This year, 52 participants from 12 farms in the Swartland region were entered, nominated by their colleagues and managers.
Interviews were conducted at Goedgedacht in preparation for the selection process. A panel consisting of representatives from the Department of Agriculture and local agricultural leaders evaluated the participants.

Regional Awards and Pride

The official regional awards ceremony was held at Goedgedacht, with Shoprite as the main sponsor and several local supporters in attendance. Two of our own staff members, Jacques Williams; Administrative Staff and Jonathan Moloy; Irrigation Specialist, porgressed to the final round in their respective categories — an achievement we are extremely proud of.

The Grand Finale and Future Dreams

The Gala Evening took place on 1 November 2025, where two participants from the Swartland were named winners in their respective categories at the Western Cape Prestige Agri Awards Gala Evening at Eureka Estate, Durbanville. It was a full program where Ministers gathered to celebrate the occasion and honour the workers. The Minister of Agriculture and Economic Development, Dr. Ivan Meyer, was the keynote speaker. He noted that the finalists in this remarkable competition represent 243,000 agri workers in the Western Cape and expressed his gratitude to each one for their critical role in the food production chain.

Marise Cloete, our social worker, described the experience as incredibly meaningful.
She witnessed firsthand how workers’ self-esteem was strengthened and how their hard work was acknowledged. She looks forward to greater participation and impact in the coming years, especially in the Swartland.

Jonbenay Prins, our Social Work student, found it inspiring to see how many women participated and won awards — in an industry often seen as male-dominated. For the second consecutive year, a young woman walked away with the title. Shannon Robertson, The Assistant Livestock Manager at Boschendal, who was the overall winner of the Western Cape Prestige Agri Awards 2025. She will soon travel overseas with the Minister of Agricultural Development to visit two countries in the agri-industry and has been given the opportunity to further her studies at the Stellenbosch Business School.

This competition is more than just awards — it is a movement that restores dignity, celebrates stories, and shapes the future of agricultural workers.

Thank You to Our Generous Sponsors

We extend heartfelt appreciation to Kloovenburg, Darling Romery, Swartland Winery, and Org De Rac for your continued support.

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The Youth at Risk Camp was more than just a weekend away from home — it was a journey of rediscovery, healing, and hope. For eleven young learners from Porterville, aged between 12 and 14, this camp became a place where they could finally breathe, reflect, and begin to dream again.

Each of these young people carries a story that speaks of quiet strength in the face of unimaginable challenges. Many live in homes where parents are absent, where substance abuse steals peace and stability, and where, far too young, they have had to become the parents themselves, caring for siblings, managing households, and trying to hold broken pieces together. For them, even something as small as a pair of broken school shoes can turn into a daily struggle, a reminder of how hard life can be. Despite these hardships, the learners continue to show strength and determination to rise above their circumstances.

Yet, for a few precious days, the camp gave them something different — a chance to be children again.

A Morning of Freedom and Reflection

Early in the morning, Jafta led the learners up the mountain. This was not just a hike — it was a walk of reflection and freedom. Along the way, Jafta shared wisdom about medicinal plants, teaching them how nature provides healing, strength, and balance. On that mountain, surrounded by fresh air and silence, they learned to breathe freely, perhaps for the first time in a long time.

Facing the Obstacles

Later, the learners were given an opportunity to express the obstacles in their lives by placing pictures on paper — images representing pain, fear, and the struggles that weigh them down. Some shared stories of loss, others of responsibility far beyond their years. As they looked at their creations, there was a sense of release — a realization that while their challenges are real, they are not impossible to overcome.

The obstacle course that followed became a powerful metaphor. Every climb, crawl, and jump mirrored the obstacles of life — difficult but not unbeatable. With every shout of encouragement, every cheer from their peers, a spark of resilience was reignited. Together, they learned that support, teamwork, and perseverance can move even the heaviest burdens.

Cooking, Sharing, and Growing Together

Cooking their own food around the fire was another lesson in independence and unity. Simple meals became moments of laughter, sharing, and pride. Many of the learners had never experienced such freedom — to cook, to laugh without judgment, and to belong. Around that fire, barriers began to fall, and hope began to rise.

The Road Ahead

By the end of the camp, transformation was visible. Learners who arrived withdrawn and burdened left with smiles, new friendships, and a renewed sense of self-worth. They learned that while they cannot always choose their circumstances, they can choose to rise above them.

But the journey does not end here. The next vital step is to host a workshop with the parents, to rebuild connections, strengthen family support, and help parents understand the emotional needs of their children. Continued follow-up sessions with the youth will ensure that the seeds of hope planted at the camp continue to grow.

The Youth at Risk Camp reminded everyone involved that behind every challenge is a young heart still capable of love, laughter, and dreams. These learners are not broken — they are becoming. All they need is someone to walk beside them as they find their way forward.

The post A Journey toward Healing and Hope appeared first on Goedgedacht Trust South Africa.

Read the original article in Afrikaans here: https://www.netwerk24.com/…/buitelandse-skole-help…

English translation of the article:

Earlier this year, many English students from various schools in the United Kingdom visited the Goedgedacht Trust centers in the Swartland, where the focus was primarily on local sports and community development.

Students from the Francis Holland School in London visited the Goedgedacht Center outside Malmesbury in early April. Other visits included students from Antrim Grammar School, Queen’s College, and Pates Grammar for Girls and Boys.

The final visit was by students from Kings High School in Warwick, who said their goodbyes last week (Tuesday, July 23). These school trips are organized by various tour operators abroad to encourage tour groups to support charities during their visits.

According to the Goedgedacht Trust, a non-profit organization, opportunities are specifically provided so that the students can give back to the local communities of the destinations they visit.

“The visits not only provide the opportunity to see developing countries but also offer an opportunity to make a real impact on the lives of underprivileged rural communities in the Swartland region, especially for those who benefit from the Goedgedacht programs.”

According to Deon Snyman, the managing director of the Trust, the visits may leave a greater impression on the lives of the students and teachers from the United Kingdom than on the people of Goedgedacht and South Africa.

“Hopefully, it has a lifelong impact on their thinking. We hope they envision a fair world out there where resources can be shared.”

Various activities were offered for local students during their visit to the Goedgedacht centers outside Malmesbury and in Riebeek-Kasteel.

Their guests even had the opportunity to learn more about the olive harvest and agriculture.

The centers are also very grateful for brand-new sports equipment, shoes, and sanitary products.

Goedgedacht Trust is excited to receive another visit from a school in England later this year.

The post UK Schools Help appeared first on Goedgedacht Trust South Africa.

Nestled at the foot of Kasteelberg near Riebeek-Kasteel, Goedgedacht Trust’s small olive farm is making a significant impact. For three decades, Goedgedacht has been farming with hope and impact, striving to uplift rural communities in the Swartland region. This year, the farm celebrated a record-breaking olive harvest.

According to Pieter Brand, Goedgedacht’s farm manager, their 2024 harvest yielded 150 tonnes of olives, marking their second-largest harvest ever and the highest average yield per block at 17%. This resulted in a record production of 27 000 litres of cold-pressed extra-virgin olive oil. The farm covers 164,5 hectares, with 36 ha dedicated to olive trees, mainly Frantoio and Mission cultivars. In April, a team of 90 seasonal workers completed the olive harvest within a month using hand rakes and nets.

Regenerative agriculture boosts olive production

Goedgedacht is in its fourth year of regenerative farming, which has significantly enhanced their olive groves. “Our trees perform better, are more resilient to heat stress, and we have fewer pest problems,” says Brand. “Our olive quality has improved, and our yields consistently surpass those from our previous conventional farming methods.”

Previously, Goedgedacht’s average harvest was 72 tonnes, but this year’s 150 tonnes bring them closer to their peak of 185 tonnes in 2022. Olive oil production increased from 25 000 litres in 2022 to 27 000 litres this year. Brand notes that while harvest yields vary by region, 10 tonnes per hectare is a good average.

“Where we previously harvested two to three tonnes of olives per hectare, we now achieve five to seven tonnes,” says Brand. “Some producers harvest 12 to 15 tonnes, so we see significant growth potential. Our 17% average yield per block is an improvement from our previous 14 to 15%, with some blocks reaching up to 22%. We’re aiming for 18 to 25% in the future.”

Goedgedacht has also introduced new olive cultivars such as Koroneiki and Arbequina, known for their smaller trees and high oil content. The farm uses mulching with cardboard, straw, and old olive pulp to boost soil health, increase humus content, and retain moisture. Dexter cows, Loman chickens, and flocks of guinea fowl also contribute to the farm’s regenerative practices. Additionally, the olive groves serve as a training ground for community members, teaching them specialised skills like olive tree pruning.

Willow Creek showcases Goedgedacht’s premium olive oil

Olives were first pressed at Goedgedacht in 1998, but since 2022, Willow Creek Olive Estate has taken over pressing, certification, and sales, distributing the oil to both South African and international markets.

Eleanor Stoker, CEO of Willow Creek, praises Goedgedacht’s regenerative agriculture practice. “The results are remarkable, from the abundance of fruit to the impressive volume produced,” says Stoker. “That’s why we decided to press Goedgedacht’s olives separately from other small producers, offering their premium extra-virgin olive oil under the Willow Creek brand.”

Join the Goedgedacht family: Sponsor an olive tree

The olive trees on Goedgedacht, which can live for thousands of years, symbolise the farm’s sustainable impact on the Swartland community. Anyone can contribute, like Nobel Prize winner Desmond Tutu, who sponsored a tree in the Goedgedacht Olive Peace Grove. For R700, sponsors receive a personalised plaque on the memorial wall and an invitation to visit the farm.
Learn more at https://www.goedgedacht.org/donate-dedicate-an-olive-tree/.

Support sustainable community solutions

Farming and hospitality activities are crucial to funding Goedgedacht Trust’s development work. Their flagship Path Onto Prosperity (POP) programme supports children from birth and their first 1000 days through early adulthood (22 years). Goedgedacht operates six POP centres, in Riebeek Kasteel/Esterhof (since 2010), Riebeek-Wes (since 2012), Koringberg, Chatsworth and Riverlands (since 2015), as well as in Porterville (since 2018).

Deon Snyman, managing director of the Trust, emphasises their mission to helping children become healthy, confident, educated, and skilled community members. “Donors assist us in empowering underprivileged communities through early childhood development, grade R classes, holiday programmes, parent training, family support groups, our Care for the Planet initiatives, as well as our olive grove.”

A limited quantity of olive oil can be bought directly from the farm. For more information on fundraising, events, or accommodation at Goedgedacht, contact Nadia Samuels-Zwaan at +27 (0) 74 925 177 or fundraising@goedgedacht.org. Visit https://www.goedgedacht.org/ and follow @GoedgedachtTrust on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Social media:
https://www.facebook.com/GoedgedachtTrust
https://www.instagram.com/goedgedacht_trust/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/goedgedacht-trust/

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE GOEDGEDACHT TRUST
MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
Isabeau Joubert Botha
Isabeau Media
isabeau@isabeaumedia.co.za
+27 (0)72 247 5868

Photo Captions:

1. Goedgedacht Trust, a small olive farm, is making a big impact in the rural communities of the Swartland. This year, the farm celebrated a record olive harvest.
2. Goedgedacht dedicates 36 hectares to olive trees, primarily Frantoio and Mission cultivars, with new additions like Koroneiki and Arbequina cultivars. Pictured is Cobed Swartz in the olive grove, where training in olive tree pruning is provided.
3. Sponsor a tree in the Goedgedacht Olive Peace Grove: You’ll receive a personalised plaque on the memorial wall, an invitation to visit the farm, and the knowledge of contributing to the Swartland community.
4. The Goedgedacht Trust honours Tim Jackson, their biggest individual donor to date. Jackson, who passed away in July 2024, assisted Goedgedacht in fundraising and donated 10 hectares of olive trees, known as the ‘Jackson Olives,’ to the Swartland community.
5. Goedgedacht’s proud olive-growing team: from left, Cobed Swartz, general worker; Jonnothan Meloy, farm foreman; and Pieter Brand, farm manager.
6. This year, several students from various schools in the United Kingdom visited the Goedgedacht Trust in the Swartland, focusing on local sports and community development.

END

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Goal setting is a process that starts with careful consideration of what you want to achieve, and ends with a lot of hard work to actually do it.

28 year old Elzanne Bolsen does not only set goals, she smashes them!

“As a little girl,who grew up on a farm, I always wished that I could be one of the POP centre children” says Elzanne “I struggled with school work and battled to keep my chores at home up to date, and as much as I sometimes wanted to escape, we simply lived too far away for me to participate in any of Goedgedacht’s many school activities”

At a very young age Elzanne decided that she will someday be part of the Goedgedacht team where she will have the opportunity to support other little girls just like her. In 2016 Elzanne attended and completed courses through Goedgedacht’s The Leadership Academy and accomplished exactly what she set out to achieve – all whilst raising a gorgeous little baby boy.

Today, Elzanne manages all operation at the Riebeek Kasteel Path onto Prosperity centre where she and her team are supporting vulnerable families with a farm-cooked meal every single day.

Passion takes guts and the ability to challenge what others may think but for Elzanne, it is all about being the pilot of your own fate. Her passion for children is her driving force and the strength that pulls her through on the days where she is deeply concerned about the welfare of her 3 year old son should she get infected with the COVID-19 virus.

“I honour God for His favour and blessings over my life so that I can in turn be a blessing to others. I will keep encouraging children to set goals and to carve a bright future for themselves and I promise to walk the path with them”

Thank you Elzanne, we appreciate you.

#Goedgedachtteam #Unsung_hero

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Young people are not only an extremely valuable resource of energy, good will and creativity, but they are the key to our future.

Ashton Arendse, originally from Malmesbury, joined the Goedgedacht Trust team in 2015 and his values, sense of gratitude and the empathy he shows towards the needs of those less fortunate is truly remarkable.

Ashton’s passion for community involvement developed when he volunteered as cook at the Riverlands POP centre. Today, he considers himself privileged to be serving the Chatsworth community.

 “My heart goes out to our people and the love I have for my community will always remain right here” says Ashton

We believe that young people can make all the difference to their communities and we thank you for your selfless involvement Ashton.

We sincerely appreciate you.

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