Volunteering has been a cornerstone of my life on the Bluff in Durban, the place where I grew up and a community I deeply care about. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of serving on various committees and structures, all with one goal in mind—strengthening our community. Whether it was through economic development, public safety, or youth engagement, every role I took on was about making a meaningful contribution to the Bluff.
One of my earliest experiences was with the Community Policing Forum (CPF), a structure linked to the Department of Community Safety and Liaison. The CPF played a critical role in bridging the gap between law enforcement and the community, helping to address local safety concerns. It gave me a real sense of how interconnected our issues are, and I eventually became the Chairperson of the CPF Youth Desk. This role allowed me to engage directly with young people on crime prevention and community safety—two things I’ve always been passionate about.
In addition to my work with the CPF, I served as a Ward Committee Member, responsible for Small Business Development and Economic Development. This was a particularly meaningful role because of my passion for entrepreneurship and community upliftment. I helped local businesses navigate challenges, explore growth opportunities, and contribute to our broader community. My vision was clear: if the Bluff could maximize its economic potential, the benefits would ripple out across the entire community. It’s like that old analogy—if all boats rise in a harbor, naturally, your boat floats too.
Of course, being deeply involved in the community accelerated my personal growth in ways I hadn’t anticipated. There’s something special about being put in demanding situations and learning through them. These roles tested me, and I grew as a person because of it. I developed skills I wouldn’t have otherwise possessed, and those experiences have shaped me both professionally and personally.
One of the roles I’m most proud of was serving as Chairperson for the War Room (OSS) Operation Sukhume Sakhe. This initiative linked service delivery across local, national, and provincial governments, ensuring that our community’s needs were addressed holistically. This role opened my eyes to how government systems work—or sometimes don’t work—and gave me a chance to ensure the Bluff’s voice was heard across all levels of governance.
Now, I have to address a common perception: many people assumed I was affiliated with a political party because of the level of involvement I had in community work. However, if you really examined my day-to-day activities, you’d see that my focus was entirely on serving the community. I wasn’t in it for political points, and frankly, no political party ever paid me for any of my efforts! All my work was directed at benefiting the people of the Bluff, and I have no interest in being caught up in the nonsense of political affiliations.
My business mindset also played a part in how I approached this type of work. I saw so much untapped economic potential in the Bluff, and I was determined to help maximize it. If we could get our local businesses thriving, that success would trickle down to everyone in the community. It was never just about creating jobs or supporting small businesses—it was about creating an ecosystem where everyone could benefit from shared growth.
There’s one thing that really made all those years of volunteering worthwhile: the countless people who came up to me and thanked me for the work I was doing. Over the years, hundreds of community members expressed their gratitude, and those moments meant the world to me. It made me realize how meaningful this kind of work can be when done correctly. As someone on the ground, I understood what people needed—whether it was skills development, earning a decent livelihood, or having access to resources and support.
Through all of these experiences, I’ve learned that real change happens when we come together as a community. The Bluff will always hold a special place in my heart, and I’m proud of the role I’ve played in trying to help it grow stronger. Volunteering may seem like a lot of work, but the rewards go far beyond anything you could imagine.
