Dear Friends

Half of 2009 is already history ... and the Foundation for Church-led Restitution would like to share some of the highlights of the activities of the past year with all of you.

Celebrations!!!
We are celebrating! The students holding the six Restitution Foundation bursaries successfully completed their first year of tertiary education at the end of 2008. Acknowledging this great achievement, the Restitution Foundation joined with “Mind the Gap” to provide each student with a refurbished laptop. At the handover ceremony Dr Sharlene Swartz, the deputy chair person explained that the support of the students through the bursaries and computers are not acts of charity but acts of restitution to contribute towards the redressing of the injustices of South Africa’s past.

Introducing Restitution Mover and Shaker…
Vivian Zilo is a real mover-and-shaker in Khayelitsha. Despite her own poverty Vivian was deeply touched by the poverty of many people who lived around her and in June 2005 established the Iliso Care Society poverty alleviation project. The project started by providing food to people infected with HIV/Aids so that they were able to take their medication. With time the organisation broadend its scope to include workshops for youth, and  safety and care for orphans and vulnerable children, the elderly and school children. The organisation currently provides meals for 225 poor people every weekday. The Restitution Foundation was very impressed with Vivian’s work under very difficult circumstances – but realised that she needed a vehicle to undertake the work more efficiently.   Vivian would probably have had a car but for South Africa’s unequal past.. The Restitution Foundation presented her with a car in February 2009 as an act of restitution.

Restitution Foundation AGM
Fifteen years after democracy South Africans from diverse cultural backgrounds still find it difficult to talk to each other. At the recent Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Restitution Foundation, the renowned South African poet Antjie Krog and 3 collegues: Robert Mchunu, Mannini Mokhothu and Bulelani Zantsi used South African poetry as a means of exploring the South African history. Zulu, Xhosa and Sotho poems were presented and afterwards creatively interpreted in English by Antjie. The poetry created the ideal atmosphere for the table discussions which followed afterwards. These focussed on the following themes:

1. In what way is our interconnectedness as South Africans damaged by the past 15 years in which there has been few efforts made at restitution?
2. What stops us from making restitution?
3. Identify practical ways how churches and civil society can make restitution a reality in SA
4. Identify the principles necessary for restitution to lead to healing.

Restitution Toolkit
The Restitution Foundation is currently developing its own restitution toolkit. The toolkit will focus on various restitution related themes including:
1. What is restitution?
2. What is restorative justice?
3. What is the relationship between restitution and restorative justice?
4. What is charity?
5. What is the difference between restitution and charity?
6. What is the theological rationale for restitution?
7. What is necessary for restitution to lead to healing?
8. What is the importance for an understanding of self awareness (e.g. black consciousness) in the restitution process?
9. What are the guidelines (framework, steps) of the restitution process (what is he process to follow if a person wants to do restitution?)
The toolkit will be launched in September this year and will be used to explain the work of the organisation in the different communities. Shannon Wright, a postgraduate student, is spending the months of June and July as an intern to develop the toolkit.

Is 100% employment in South Africa possible?
Professor Francis Wilson, the well known South African economist, recently addressed a Restitution Foundation fundraising function at Silverhurst Estate on the topic: Is 100% employment in South Africa possible? In his presentation Prof Wilson made reference to how lucky white South Africans are that the transition to democracy happened in such a peaceful way. He highlighted that the lives of the majority of poor South Africans have not changed much since the 1994 elections and that the poor are starting to loose patience. It is in the interest of wealthy people in South Africa to urgently invest in the lives of poor South Africans. He believes that wealthy people still have a window of opportunity to do this but that the window opportunity might close faster than people might think. Prof Wilson lauded the work of the Restitution Foundation and encouraged all South Africans to support such initiatives.

New Staff Member
Pumla Mncayi joined the Restitution Foundation as its second staff member earlier this year. Pumla brings with her a wealth of experience. She is trained as a Social Worker and formerly served as the Director of the Gender Advocacy Programme and theBlack Sash Office in the Western Cape. We extend a warm welcome to Pumla and hope that she will enjoy her stay with the organisation.

Financial Support
The Foundation for Church-led Restitution depends on the financial support of its members and supporters to fund the activities of the organisation. We would like to invite you to make a financial contribution to our education or housing restitution funds – or to the ongoing costs of the organization.

Bank Details: 
ABSA, Table View, Account nr: 40 – 5734 – 8021, Branch code: 632005, Account Name: Foundation for Church-led Restitution

With best wishes