WhatsApp weekly update: 1–6 December 2025

Thank you to those of you who read and respond to our weekly update. Please feel free to tell me if you do not wish to continue to receive it (we will still love you!). Next week will be our last weekly update for this year as we officially close on 11 December and re-open on 8 January 2026. We need to rest …

Hermanus Country Market opens a door

A special thanks to Les and Cheryl from the Quest women’s group in Hermanus for your visit to us and your wonderful donation! Les put us in touch with Elaine, the owner of the Country Market in Hermanus – at the cricket grounds – who offered us a space at the market where we can drum and sell drums. We will definitely be taking up this opportunity from this week!

Fifa World Cup

Most important news of the week, hot off the press (drumroll …)! Our South African football team – Bafana Bafana – plays the opening match of the FIFA World Cup against Mexico in Mexico City on June 11, 2026! If he attends – and that is a big if – ole Grumpy Trump will have to watch South Africa as we open this global tournament! Please diarise now and watch this with us … we will build a special drum for this occasion.

Giving Tuesday

Special thanks to those who contributed financially on Giving Tuesday, especially our wonderful friends in Michigan (Beth and Ed) and Abby in Fort Wayne!

Hawston on its feet for disability rights

We brought the “gees” (spirit) to the Disability Rights Day at Hawston on Wednesday. There was a wonderful group of dancers who danced to the beat! As our friends in the USA said a year ago: our drummers brought the joy! A big thanks to our two magnificent volunteers (Walter and Sarah) who led the evaluation reflection session on Thursday. The young people really enjoyed it.

Research collaboration with global reach

Siya and I – with our new uber drivers Gerna and Louis – were able to attend a meeting with Avreq at Stellenbosch University on Thursday. For those who do not know, this is about a research project about transgenerational wellness which we will do together with an organisation in Stellenbosch (https://www.hervoice.co.za) for the next two years. It also involves young people from Ghana and Tanzania. Thank you, Mel, and (almost assistant professor) Yumi for welcoming us so warmly to Avreq and for all the thought you are putting into this research. May many across the globe benefit from it …

Rounding up …