WhatsApp weekly update: 8–14 March 2026

Hi everyone

This morning, three Volmoed Youth leadership team members (Rene August, Wilma Jakobsen and I) will attend a memorial service for Mthunzi Gxashe. Who is that (you may ask)? Mthunzi was Arch Tutu’s left and right-hand man. He was a gentle-man in every way, humble and a true servant-leader. He was also married to the Tutus’ eldest daughter, Thandeka. Please keep her –especially her health – and the children in your prayers at this time.

I am now happy to announce that Mahalia Naicker and Indiphile Mkhubelweni will be going to Taizé in France from May to August representing the Volmoed Youth programme. Every year we send two young people to volunteer at Taizé for a period of 3 months. They will unfortunately miss our 10th anniversary celebrations from 12–16 June but they will gain much from their experience there. Two Taizé brothers might visit Southern Africa in November. We will update you once this becomes a reality…

17 March is a blessed day …

We continue to be deeply grateful for those who support us financially and otherwise, in small ways and big. You are all wonderful. Please remember to alert your family and friends that they can support the GlobalGiving “Little by Little” campaign on Tuesday 17 March by donating between 10 and 50 dollars/euros/pound on that day. Your contribution will then be matched by GlobalGiving! Please see https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/volmoed-youth-leadership-training-program-vyltp/

A big THANKS to Jeannie Battle (Michael Battle’s sister) for her visit to us on her birthday! She hopes to bring a group of women from the USA to South Africa in April 2027 (Khuetse Modimo… if God wills it).

I had a really good meeting with the new Volmoed manager (Jody) on Tuesday to begin to talk through the logistics of the 10th anniversary. He is very excited about the possibilities and willing to go the extra mile to ensure the success of these celebrations.

Besides Volmoed Youth’s 10th anniversary, this is of course Volmoed’s 40th anniversary year. We would probably not even exist if it was not for Volmoed! Please keep the Trustees and staff in your prayers as they work to ensure that Volmoed remains a beautiful space for healing and reconciliation. I will never forget the final words of the Arch to a group of young people who met with him: he closed his eyes and said:

“Go make life beautiful…. Especially for the poor …”

ArchBishop Tutu

It was more than 40 degrees celsius in Paarl on Wednesday! But what a wonderful day it was. We were able to drum and sing and share the story of the Volmoed Youth drummers to about 200 people. This “knowledge sharing festival” in Paarl happens annually and we will probably join them again next year. A big thanks to Erik de Jongh and Dr Harlan Cloete for inviting us to be part of such a dynamic day. One of the immediate outcomes of this is that we will meet with a group called Work4aLiving on Monday to hear about the short courses they do for unemployed young people.

Edwin Arrison

[Copyright notice: Banner picture courtesy of the GlobalGiving Little by Little campaign]