A Community Vision Rooted in Hope

RAD was founded in 2020, and its doors opened to the public in 2022. It was driven by the purpose of providing the local youth with a safe space to play in after school. “There were no structured programmes in place at first, only a deep need for safety and freedom from the challenges outside,” explains Malany. “It wasn’t until 2023 that we formally introduced structured programmes, starting with our Reading Club, Arts & Crafts, Educational Games, and Life Skills Club. From there, the work grew steadily as we listened to the needs of the children and community.”

The lily is the focal point of the mural at Rise Above Development, and acts a symbol of hope and resilience for the community. The mural was created by local South African artist – Chris Auret, and two Lavender Hill youth members. Image courtesy of RTC Studios.

Residing in Lavender Hill, widely considered as one of Cape Town’s most dangerous suburbs, RAD provides children and youth solace from many challenges and threats that the area is characterised by, such as gang violence, poverty, and crime. The current harsh socio-economic conditions of Lavender Hill are linked to a history of spatial segregation and ethnic marginalisation by way of apartheid legislation, leaving the community with vastly unequal access to resources, infrastructure, amenities, and opportunities.

Malany explains, “Our children often grow up with little access to safe spaces or positive role models. RAD works to address these gaps by providing consistent care, structured programmes, and the emotional and social support young people desperately need.”

Image courtesy of Brandon Solomon, Rise Above Development

Flourishing Potential

RAD not only offers a safe space where children can play freely and with peace of mind, the organisation also provides numerous means for locals to develop skills, further their education, and practice hobbies and interests. “We run a variety of developmental programmes, including trauma support, reading, life skills, arts and crafts, netball, and a daily feeding scheme for our beneficiaries,” shares Malany.

The development centre is a hub of opportunity and growth, allowing locals to flourish and find hope in and amongst daily hardship. RAD’s mission is to enable the young people in their community to rise above their circumstances, equipped with hope and empowerment to build a better future for themselves and their families.

“We dream of a fully developed, multifunctional youth centre — a place that’s alive with learning, laughter, and growth. A safe haven where children can access therapy, creative expression, academic support, recreational activities, and mentorship — all under one roof,” states Malany.

Community Upliftment Through Urban Greening

Our partnership with RAD has blossomed into a wonderfully symbiotic relationship, demonstrating the potential of urban greening and horticulture in yielding both environmental and social benefits. Our urban greening work at RAD, supported by the Heineken® Green Zones project, has transformed the space drastically through new infrastructure and biodiversity enhancement. This includes a circular pergola with rain-sheltering sheeting that emphasises landscape architecture principles and provides a feeling of being held by nature in a harsh external environment, along with a planting strategy tailored to address local ecological challenges like wind, rain, and flooding, which includes over 600 plants across 35 species.

The project has moved beyond physical transformation to build community capacity. By relying heavily on local engagement, the urban greening of RAD has upskilled residents and fostered a sense of environmental stewardship. The children at RAD have also experienced this firsthand, growing eager to get stuck in and finding a sense of pride for this vibrant community garden. Malany shares how “they enjoy getting their hands dirty, learning how to care for plants, and seeing something grow that they helped create. It teaches patience, responsibility, and teamwork. They’re proud of ‘their’ garden and have even started taking those lessons home to their families. It gives our youth a sense of ownership and connection to nature—something many have never experienced before.”

Image courtesy of RTC Studios.

Looking Fondly Towards a Bright Future

Contributing to an organisation with a cause as vital as RAD’s has been a true privilege for us at Greenpop, and seeing their community garden grow more each time we visit fills us with optimism and gratitude. We’re immensely thankful for our partnership with RAD and the important work they do.

This project shows that our work is about more than just planting trees; it’s about planting seeds of hope in the community. Want to help us continue this kind of work and plant more seeds of change? Consider a partnership with Greenpop, and let’s grow a greener, more inclusive future together.

Photography courtesy of RTC Studios.