Khulisa Socials Solutions

For our Cape CSI 2016 initiative, we proudly partnered with Khulisa Social Solutions, focusing on their groundbreaking Streetscapes Project. Together, we launched The Renewal Project, a series of activities that culminated in a dedicated CSI Day on Sunday, 23 October 2016.

Khulisa Social Solutions has been a leader in rehabilitation, behaviour change, and community development since 1997. With 33 regional offices, over 400 staff, and active projects across more than 400 communities, Khulisa is a registered NPO making a national impact.

Their approach is not about “charity,” but about creating opportunities for individuals to choose a different life path. By addressing the root causes of vulnerability, Khulisa empowers people to make sustainable, positive changes.

In Cape Town, Khulisa plays a vital role at the Community Court, where up to 150 homeless clients per month are diverted from jail into support programmes. These individuals, often arrested for non-serious by-law offences such as sleeping on the streets, are given a chance to rebuild their lives. One of the most inspiring outcomes of this work is the Streetscapes Project.

Streetscapes: A Hand-Up, Not a Hand-Out

The Streetscapes initiative was designed to address homelessness in Cape Town with dignity, opportunity, and creativity.

Key Initiatives Include:

• Inner-City Vegetable Gardens – Organic gardens cultivated by formerly homeless individuals, supplying affordable produce to residents and local restaurants.
• Urban Clean-Up Projects – Homeless participants maintain five “hotspot” areas in Lower Gardens, turning frustration into community service while earning income.
• The Canterbury Street Bakery – Providing nutritious “dignity lunches” to local businesses like the Cape Argus.
• Future Plans – Soap making, recycling stations, organic composting sites, and further expansion of inner-city gardens.

The impact has been profound: within six months, 77% of participants moved off the streets, and 68% addressed substance abuse issues positively—proving that meaningful work creates dignity, stability, and hope.

Immediate Benefits Include:

• A cleaner, safer city.
• Locally grown, healthy food.
• Homeless individuals are becoming valuable contributors to society.

Highlights of The Renewal Project CSI Weekend

To bring The Renewal Project to life, we focused on five main projects:

Establishing the Stroompies Vegetable Garden

On land adjacent to the historic Trafalgar School and within District Six, a large inner-city vegetable garden was prepared and planted. This garden supplies fresh produce while creating employment and healing fractured community relationships.

Constructing a Bottle Cap Mosaic

A vibrant mosaic made from recycled bottle caps was designed as a visible landmark along De Waal Drive. Symbolising transformation, it shows that even what seems like waste can be repurposed into something beautiful and meaningful.

Selling Food to Participants

On 23 October, food stalls provided meals to participants and guests, with proceeds going towards The Renewal Project or supporting the bakery’s suppliers.

Launching the People’s Market

The People’s Market debuted on 22 October with over 60 stalls, showcasing local entrepreneurship and creating a new monthly tradition for the community.

Hosting the Trafalgar Renewal Run

A fun 5km and 10km walk/run marked the launch of the market and garden, attracting over 100 participants. The aim is for this to become an annual October tradition.

The Renewal Project, in partnership with Khulisa Social Solutions, is more than just a CSI initiative—it is a movement of hope, dignity, and opportunity. Through the combined power of community gardens, creative art, local markets, and sustainable employment, we have shown that when businesses and communities work together, real and lasting change is possible. What began with one dedicated weekend in October 2016 continues to grow into a legacy of renewal, resilience, and shared purpose for Cape Town and beyond.