Our favourite local community initiatives driving change across Cape Town
Cape Town is known for its breathtaking views, cultural richness, and undeniable charm, but there’s more to the Mother City than meets the eye. Beneath its picturesque surface, there are people working hard to improve the lives of residents, protect the environment, and inspire positive change.
So if you’re living in Cape Town or thinking about joining us at Neighbourgood, here’s a little inside scoop on some fantastic initiatives shaping the city into an even more vibrant and meaningful place to call home.
Cableway Charity Challenge: Sweating for a cause
Imagine hiking one of Cape Town’s most iconic landmarks, not just for the views (although those are a bonus), but to help raise money for local charities. That’s exactly what happens at the Cableway Charity Challenge every year! Participants climb up Platteklip Gorge, all in support of causes like Abalimi Bezekhaya, which helps urban farmers, or Funda Kunye, an education initiative. Even if you're not much of a climber, you can still contribute by pledging your support online! It’s a fantastic way to enjoy Cape Town's natural beauty while giving back to those in need.
Baz-Art’s International Public Art Festival: Street art with a purpose
Street art can do more than just brighten up city walls; it can unite people and spark meaningful conversations. Enter the International Public Art Festival (IPAF), organised by Baz-Art, which turns Cape Town’s streets into open-air galleries. Artists from around the globe come together to create murals that aren't just about beauty but also safety and inclusion. This year’s festival is all about collaboration under the theme "CoACT | CoLLAB," where artists work with local experts to transform ordinary public spaces into extraordinary places. Plus, these murals help make the city safer by revitalising often-overlooked areas. It’s art, but with a powerful mission behind it!
Ndihluthi Food Program: Nourishing Cape Town’s communities
The foodie scene in Cape Town might be amazing, but hunger is still a serious issue for many communities. That’s where the Ndihluthi Food Program steps in. This grassroots initiative is dedicated to fighting food insecurity, making sure that vulnerable people have access to healthy meals. By bringing together donors, volunteers, and local partners, Ndihluthi is feeding hope (and lots of hearty meals) to those who need it most. It’s an inspiring reminder that even small efforts can make a huge impact.
Greenpop: Making Cape Town greener, one tree at a time
Don’t we all love a pop of green? Greenpop is on a mission to reforest areas and green urban spaces by planting thousands of trees each year. Since 2010, they’ve been educating communities about the importance of eco-friendly practices while planting over 150,000 trees across Southern Africa. If you ever feel like rolling up your sleeves and doing something good for the planet, you can join one of their tree-planting events or even sponsor a tree. Not only is Greenpop making the city (and beyond) greener, but they’re also cultivating an eco-conscious mindset among Cape Town’s residents.
Cape Town’s renewable energy push: Powering up for the future
The spectre of loadshedding may be behind us (touch wood!), but there’s still a major focus on sustainable energy in Cape Town. The city has been making waves with its renewable energy initiatives, thanks to partnerships with international organisations like the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the German Development Bank (KfW). These collaborations are helping power projects like the Paardevlei Solar Farm, while also working toward the goal of creating net-zero carbon municipal buildings. This push for renewable energy isn’t just about reducing reliance on coal power (although that’s a big win); it’s about ensuring Cape Town’s future is as sustainable as it is beautiful.
This Mother has a big heart
Cape Town’s community-driven projects are a testament to the power of collaboration and shared vision. Whether it's through climbing mountains for charity, painting walls to transform neighbourhoods, feeding those in need, planting trees, or investing in a cleaner future, there’s no shortage of inspiration here. So, if you're considering joining Neighbourgood or just spending more time in this dynamic city, you’ll be surrounded by people working hard to make a difference. And that’s something to feel good about!
