Seeds of forgiveness reap fulfilment for Delft community
A man standing next to another man in a wheelchair in a courtyard, both of them smiling. Sisa Makaula, the founder of the Makaula foundation in Delft, with the man who rushed him to hospital and saved his life. Picture: SUPPLIED
Cape Town - Driven by forgiveness. A man who once felt betrayed by his own community, has extended an olive branch and now assists his community.
Sisa Makaula was shot in March 2017 outside the Rainbow Arts organisation in Delft, where he worked in uplifting the community. The shooting that targeted a local gang in Delft left many wounded and Makaula paralysed.
Makaula is now involved in a new project, collecting school shoes for disadvantaged schoolchildren, and is open to shoe donations. He said this initiative aimed to give children hope.
“We are currently working with two primary schools and one high school. The schools are Delft Primary School, Welwetchia Primary School and Simunye High School,” he said.
The Makaula Foundation has until recently partnered with Afrika Tikkun in a youth unemployment programme. The foundation supports 30 youth members with stipends and other assistance. They also have begun an initiative linked to the Delft Book Club in association with the Centre for Books, which aims to instil a reading culture among children.
Delft resident Zinzi Mtshakaza said she had been enriched by her involvement with the foundation. She had not only been able to use her artistic skills to put food on the table but had learnt new skills such as playing an instrument.
Ntsikelelo Qhinga, Makaula’s colleague, said Makaula had done great things for his community.
“After his accident many thought that was it for him, but he actually came back stronger. I have seen him grow as a young man in the community, assisting and extending a hand. His organisation continues to be a ray of light for his community,” Qhinga said.
Makaula said the ordeal had left him bitter and angry and he had wondered why anyone would want to hurt him after all the good he had done for the community.
“After months of being in rehabilitation, I came home and isolated myself. I did not want to see my colleagues and the community. I felt they had neglected me and were not there for me during my lowest time. I got injured while serving,” he said.
But his deep desire to help his community prevailed and with the support of his wife Makaula formed his own foundation. Forgiveness led to reconciliation which he demonstrated by employing the same colleagues he felt had neglected him.