Cultural Immersion & Community Volunteer Work

The Mabandla Experience

Background
Situated in the remote south-eastern section of the Maloti Drakensberg Transfrontier Park, the project area is in a beautiful corner of the former Transkei tribal homeland and the Mabandla Community. Until recently this area, although formerly part of the Eastern Cape province, was a small island surrounded by KwaZulu Natal.

Unperturbed by being isolated and literally ‘left out in the cold’ with no electricity or running water and with only the most rudimentary of local economies, this community -under the able leadership of Nkosi Lawrence Baleni- has not sat around waiting for government to assist them. No! The Mabandla Traditional Authority set about to make change happen!

Almost 100% of households have contributed financially to setting up of the Mabandla Community Trust. Each contributing household is a trustee and has a vote in electing executive trustees. This executive established and oversees The Mabandla Development Company Pty Ltd, who appointed professional business consultants and commissioned them to develop a business plan for a commercial forestry project. The Land Bank of South Africa accepted their proposal and contributed by way of a substantial grant.

The forestry project is in its 9th year and is a fantastic success. Of the 7000 ha set aside for forestry, communal cattle grazing etc., 2 500ha has been set aside for the proclamation of a Provincial Nature Reserve. Realising the potential for tourism, African Insight was invited to assist in developing a tourism plan.

The Programme
The Mabandla Experience is an integrated, authentic cultural and community volunteer work experience. There is no better way of really getting to know a community than working alongside them. By night, visitors are ‘billeted’ out in pairs to host families, which ensures an authentic cultural experience and by day, work alongside the community until lunch.

In the afternoon a social programme enables you to meet, kick a ball and interact with the people as well as learn about important traditions. You will get to spend time with a traditional herbalist (Nyanga) as well as a spiritual healer (Sangoma) and if possible attend a traditional ceremony that may be happening during your stay.

Participants are required to raise funds (£50.00 / participant), which will be used to buy the materials for the volunteer work.

In addition to a unique insight to one of Africa’s most well known tribes there is a more serious objective to the programme, which aims to encourage participants to:
• Appreciate all people irrespective of race, wealth and status.
• Respect culture as something that enriches our lives and the planet.
• Reflect on life -where you are at this point in time and where is the path you are on taking you?
• Not matter where or who you are, you can make a real difference to the lives of others.

Logistics
Due to the remote location and to ensure a complete and meaningful experience for both the visitors and the community a cultural facilitator is essential. The minimum size is 6 participants, the maximum 16 and the minimum stay is 3 nights.

Cost:
Zulu Home Stay: £70.00 Per Person Per Night (Min. 3 Nights)
Volunteer Programme: £70.00 Per Person Per Night (Min. 4 Nights)
£50.00* Per person
*This is a once off payment that is used to purchase materials that will be used by the participants during the
volunteer work programme.

Includes:
• All Activities & Excursions
• Transport (12 passengers / vehicle)
• All Meals • Accommodation
• 1 African Insight Facilitator / group
• 1 Cultural Advisor / group