Mission and Purpose
The Stated intentions of CANs in Cape Town through a Cape Town Together movement was to help the neighborhoods CANs all across Cape Town city. And this was done by bringing together neighborhood organizations that use their own combined knowledge and enthusiasm to share resources as well as lessons throughout the city, meanwhile also acting locally. (Cape Town Together Starter Pack, 2020: 2). In response to the "second pandemic" of hunger, when strict lockdown measures significantly increased the city's already existing issues of food insecurity, CANs around the city took up this mission as one of their main responsibilities (University of the Western Cape, 2021, n.p). With this decentralized approach, communities will be empowered to prioritize their own goals and to also plan how they will take actions according to the needs of the locals.
Above their mission, the CANs' goals are highly compatible with participatory government concepts. Every CAN gives locals the ability to organize themselves as well as choosing priorities like the distribution of food, exchanging information, including mutual aid, giving an assurance that communities themselves have the final say in decisions. (Whyle & Brady, 2020: para.) This framework of participation increases civic involvement as well as strengthens the group's ability to address common issues. In addition, CANs foster horizontal cooperation within neighborhoods, fostering the exchange of resources as well as information amongst historically segregated areas based on racial or socioeconomic disparities.
In the beginning of COVID-19 outbreak, the CANs' goal was centered on providing emergency relief, which included helping disadvantaged homes, managing food shortages, and supplying sanitary supplies (Cape Argus, 2022: para. 2). Then their mission changed over time, from just providing supplies for the short-term emergency to strengthening the community for a full time. Community kitchens, food gardens, skill-building initiatives, and educational programs were established by numerous CANs with the goal of maintaining communal well-being after the pandemic. (Cape Argus, 2022: para. 5). This change is a reflection of the increased focus on fostering "mutual trust, solidarity, and democratic participation" among neighbors, according to the statement made Whyle and Brady (2020: para. 6).
Origins and Development
In early 2020, when a national lock down was introduced to the South African citizens as a means of a safety response to the Covid-19 virus which was spreading like wild fire and killing millions of people across the globe, in South Africa it resulted in the death of 102,595 deaths (Worldometer, 2024, n.p). Due to this lock down the majority of people were unable to generate an income since it resulted in job losses and in the lowest decline in the economy in 14 years (Stats SA, 2021, n.p) Community Action Networks (CANs) emerged in this time period of the Covid-19 pandemic in South Africa, Cape Town. A small group consisting of public health experts, social justice activists, as well as community workers started the movement because they understood how important it would be to have a strong and coordinated community as a response to address the COVID-19 issues, most of which would be socioeconomic in nature instead of clinical or health-wise (University of the Western Cape, 2021, n.p). To put this in perspective for the audiences all around the world, Cape Town is by fair a huge metropolitan area situated in the Western Cape province of South Africa, with high levels of inequality, racialized geographical isolation brought on by apartheid, as well as pervasive poverty in many neighborhoods (Roar Magazine, 2020: para. 1; IOL Cape Argus, 2022: para. 4). As the Covid-19 virus continued to spread, many locals experienced isolation, unemployment, restricted access to healthcare, as well as food shortages. Movements such as self-organizing as well as neighborhood-level which were made up from the participations of locals, community workers, Non-governmental Organization (NGO) practitioners, public health specialists, academics, social justice activists, and faith-based institutions formed under the guidance of Cape Town Together (CTT). This was a means to respond to these crises affecting both the socio- economic and health brought on by the national lockdown which took place in March (UCT News, 2020, n.p). Their goal was to help the most disadvantaged communities by providing food and other necessities when state relief efforts were overburdened or took too long to reach every location (IOL Cape Argus, 2022: para. 1; Roar Magazine, 2020: para. 2).
The CANs were originally developed with the goal to provide supplies for a short-term emergency of Covid-19. Despite having started as emergency services, several of the networks had developed into enduring community associations that provided more than just short-term assistance by the second year after they were established (IOL Cape Argus, 2022: para.). They have proved themselves as enduring presences in numerous communities, managing not only the food in kitchens but also community gardens, educational and skill-sharing initiatives, as well as local mutual assistance infrastructure. Another reason for the development of CANs is that even though the government is mostly capable in helping citizens where help is needed during Covid-19 pandemic it was under tremendous pressure, and often unable to address the needs of all the vulnerable people that were at risk in an instant. Therefore, the requirement for neighborhood-level assistance coordination in situations where formal mechanisms were inadequate or delayed were the social and political circumstances that gave rise to the CANs (Roar Magazine, 2020: para. 1; IOL Cape Argus, 2022: para. 4). As for now since Covid-19 is long gone and people can go out there and look for employment or food themselves, there have not been a report made to show the activeness of any CANs.
Organizational Structure, Membership, and Funding
Organizational structure
The CANs were self-organized and fully independent, with locals choosing the best course of action to address the COVID-19-related issues in their unique situations (University of the Western Cape, 2021, n.p). There was also no official hierarchy from CTT or any coordinating groups overseeing each CAN's daily operations, instead, these CANs were neighborhood-level organizations managed by volunteers (Cape Town Together Starter Pack, 2020: pp. 1-2). Giving an example of Observatory where the members of the community put together several groups such as making masks, kitchens which made three meals per day, supporting the people that are vulnerable (black transgender and the queer community) as well as mapping, usually with little to no central supervision. Roles such as (leading in the kitchen, coordinators for specific events) are chosen informally, through volunteerism, and based on the skills and willingness of community members.
Even thou the CANs in Cape Town were self-organized, they surely received support from several organizations such as Cape Town Together's "Starter Pack," which offers resources, safety procedures, tools, as well as direction. The organization also assisted in connecting CANs to one another (Cape Town Together, 2020: 3–4). Giving an example of the CAN in Wynberg which partnered with the CAN in Woodstock (Nancy Krisch, 2021, n.p) and Cape Town CBD CAN which also partnered with Khayelitsha (Simangele Mzizi, 2020, n.p). Public health workers shared information on COVID-19 safety nets as well as equipment such as masks and sanitizers (Whyle and Brady, 2020). Non-governmental Organization (NGO) practitioners such as Adonis Musati, Ladles of Love, FoodForwad SA, the Sozo Foundation and etc.
Social justice activists such as the Black Sash organization which advocates for human rights and promote social justice assisted with monitoring the SRD grant’s applications since it was online and applicants faced a lot of challenges applying (Black Sash,2020, n.p). Academics such as University of Cape Town’s students and employees participated to their local CAN by volunteering with their time (UCTNews, 2020). On the other hand, University of the Western Cape’s School of Public Health (SOPH) provided assistance for eight community organizers in the development of an Action Learning CAN Fellowship Program from several CANs (University of the western Cape, 2021, n.p).
The CAN in Wynberg under Cape Town Together even formed partnership with Wynberg East Neighborhood Watch, Eden Safety Security as well as Wynberg Heaven Night Shelter in feeding schemes to address food insecurity in Wynberg. This partnership extended to Faith based organizations like the Church Street Methodist Church and John’s church which acted as community centers for volunteer recruitment as well as food kitchen operations. They even went to an extent of giving food parcels regularly to informal settlements such as Bonnytoun. (Nancy Krisch, 2021, n.p)
Membership
Getting a membership is always open to the individuals who either lives or are related to a specific neighborhood, a lot of CANs do not have official charges, and participation usually entails registering using a community’s CAN lists or social media groups like WhatsApp, Facebook and even a word of mouth. A lot of CANs in communities are run by volunteers and often do not have employees that they pay salaries or wages to. Instead of official elections or getting promotions, volunteers often take on internal responsibilities by having discussion, consensus, or prior experience (Cape Town Together, 2020, n.p).
Funding
In terms of financing, many CAN initiatives rely on contributions, modest local fundraising, as well as resource sharing between communities. Giving an example of an Observatory CAN Feed You, a project which makes use of community raised funds, “pay-what- you- can” models a well as locally sourced goods, which helps small companies as well (Observatory CAN, 2021). To help in raising money few projects make use of delivery services such as Africa 70 or just ask the community for a donation. Additionally, people who are unable to volunteer are encouraged to make financial contributions via the CAN "Group Info" page (Observatory CAN, 2021).
The majority of the funds comes from the partnerships such as the Organization Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) and the little donations from the locals. Many locals contributed modestly, perhaps as little as R20 up to R50, meanwhile supplies such as food is being provided for by restaurants (Cape Argus, 2022; ONE.org, 2020). The CANs in places such as Khayelitsha and Langa had to be assisted in raising funds by middle class CANs such the ones in Claremont and Observatory. Few CANs were able to raise about R7000 from the fundraising done in small communities or big ones (Observatory CAN, 2021; Cape Town Together, 2020).
Specializations, Methods and Tools
Specializations
The CANs specialized in creating fabric masks because that was the most important tool to prevent people from being exposed to the Covid-19 virus, the masks went along with sanitations, soaps, water and food. They had many cooking kitchens, food parcels and feeding schemes to feed the homeless and vulnerable families in settlements such as Langa, Khayelitsha, and Observatory. The CANs never stopped their mission even though police officers restricted them a few times since the CANs were operating under the rules and regulations of Covid-19 and that they were not seen as “essential workers,” although they were giving out food supplies and medication to the vulnerable people. (The Cape Argus (2022).
Methods
The CANs members would organize themselves into specialized location to do cross-CAN duties, such as holding "co-learning" sessions every week which were accessible to everyone in the network. They also addressed a variety of subjects, including how to apply for the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) COVID-19 grant which was introduced during the lockdown since it was strictly online, and how to handle the rise in domestic violence under brought on by lockdown under “Philisa Abafazi Bethu” organization (University of the Western Cape, 2021, n.p). A method used to address a primary food insecurity responsibility was population known as the "second pandemic" of hunger, this major concern for many CANs. Community kitchens were set up all across Cape Town and quickly became important gathering places where COVID-19 safety procedures, like wearing masks, 2cm social distance, as well as sanitation, could be shown and discussed in an approachable manner (University of the Western Cape, 2021, n.p). Some CANs like the Obs CAN Feed You Project, employed a "pay-what-you-can" method in which those with the means contributed to the cost of meals for those without. Food was frequently purchased from neighborhood merchants, who helped small companies in the process. And the CANs in the observatory were able to to feed and 50 to 100 people per day (Observatory CAN, 2021). The CANs also relied on a door-to-door method when delivering necessities such as sanitations, soaps, food, water and masks to ensure that all the vulnerable people in informal settlements received adequate care during the pandemic.
Tools
For the community members to have a fast and transparent communication amongst them, the CANs allowed for technology tools to communicate such as WhatsApp, Facebook and google docs. These internets technologies assisted in overcoming the difficulties associated with social distancing, because they would allow volunteers to plan and keep an eye on events in real time (Observatory CAN, 2021). Additionally, CANs help communication and learning. Because of its horizontal structure, members exchange knowledge and ability, such as how to run a food kitchen or handle donations from the community.
Major Projects and Events
University of the Western Cape’s School of Public Health (SOPH) provided assistance for eight community organizers in the development of an Action Learning CAN Fellowship Program from several CANs. In 2020, this team collaborated to lead cross-CAN events, such as frequent reflection sessions, two community bike rides, workshops in five different cities as well as conducting interviews for narrative collection Additionally, interactions with the Department of Health to facilitate a coordinated COVID-19 response was made possible by this fellowship. Along with Gauteng Together (GT) and Eastern Cape Together (ECT), it promoted interprovincial cooperation through co-learning workshops on developing post-COVID options as well as helped establish online platforms for coordination like the CTT WhatsApp groups and Facebook page (University of the Western Cape, 2021, n.p). In addition, the SOPH partnership funded projects that documented the work of CANs, such as a short documentary film that highlighted all the contributions which were made during COVID -19 by the thousands of volunteers and a book called “Dala Kitchen”~ More than a Cookbook was produced by the community with the purpose of sharing cooking recipes and stories from community kitchens (University of the western Cape, 2021, n.p).
Analysis and Lessons Learned
An important lesson on how a participation of a community can improve resilience in times of crisis can be learnt from Cape Town's CANs experience. A CANs' primary achievements were their quick mobilization of communities during a period when official agencies were being terribly slow to act. People were able to respond to the demands of their own communities without having to wait from orders from above. The freedom made it possible for disadvantaged people to receive food, water, knowledge, and medical care in a prompt and effective manner (Whyle and Brady, 2020). Utilizing existing digital technologies like WhatsApp and Facebook made coordination easy and inclusive, enabling CANs to maintain communication even during the strict lockdown rules and regulations. These techniques demonstrated that with little funding and a great deal of confidence, regular people could organize efficient aid networks.
The CANs' emphasis on unity as well as building a relationship was another significant accomplishment. The project brought together people from different race and socioeconomic backgrounds in one of the cities in South Africa where inequality and marginalization still exist. The partnership between the rich and impoverished areas promoted unity and sharing, bridging historical socioeconomic gaps (ONE.org). Because volunteers were said to be feeling more empowered as well as belonging into a community, especially the women who made embraced leadership roles and caregiving responsibilities in their local CANs.
The CANs also represent important concepts from the theoretical framework of participatory democracy. According to the theory, democracy cannot be fully complete until citizens are given the opportunity to directly decide on the decisions that impact them in a daily basis. This approach has had an influence especially in the Global South where official democratic organizations are frequently overlooked by inequality as well as exclusion, which makes local participation as an important instrument for empowerment and legitimacy (Pateman, 1970; Gaventa, 2006). Participation and democratic theory by Carole Pateman (1970) are a fundamental work. Pateman, who maintained that true democracy necessitates regular citizen participation in making decisions. The argument that centers her is that participating serves as a tool as well as a goal, fostering democratic people who acquire civic expertise and a feeling of political effectiveness, as this makes the government to be more responsive and legitimate. The core argument by Gaventa is that when marginalized groups establish their own democratic venues, they can exercise their voice in ways that challenge established hierarchies and lead to participations that are purposeful. When combined, Pateman and Gaventa's theories demonstrate that CANs were more than just relief initiatives, they were manifestations of civic empowerment as well as a grassroots democracy that rose from below.
Publications
o A book called Dala Kitchen: More than a cookbook
o A short film which documented Cape Town Together
o Blog and news site such as the CAN in Wynberg
o Reports and academic publications
See Also
References
Black Sash (2020) Joint Statement: Extend and Increase Special Grants to Prevent a Humanitarian Crisis. Available at: https://www.blacksash.org.za/joint-statement-extend-and-increase-special-grants-to-prevent-a-humanitarian-crisis/
Cape Argus. (2022) Community Action Networks mark two years of feeding the vulnerable in Cape Town. IOL News, 1 April. Available at: https://www.iol.co.za/capeargus/news/community-action-networks-mark-two-years-of-feeding-the-vulnerable-in-cape-town-eb325f3c-3ef6-48ae-a231-977de48d93b2
Cape Town Together. (2020) CAN Starter Pack: Working Document. Observatory Civic Association, compiled with Dr Leanne Brady. Available at: https://obs.org.za/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/cape_town_together_can_starter_pack_210320_1_.pdf
Cape Town Central City Improvement District (CCID) (2020) “Cape Town Together: making it happen” by Simangele Mzizi, 26 June. Available at: https://www.capetownccid.org/news/cape-town-together-making-it-happen
Gaventa, J. (2006) ‘Finding the Spaces for Change: A Power Analysis’, IDS Bulletin, 37(6), pp. 23–33. https://bulletin.ids.ac.uk/index.php/idsbo/article/view/898
IOL Cape Argus. (2022) “Community Action Networks mark two years of feeding the vulnerable in Cape Town,” Cape Argus News, 1 April. Available at: https://www.iol.co.za/capeargus/news/community-action-networks-mark-two-years-of-feeding-the-vulnerable-in-cape-town-eb325f3c-3ef6-48ae-a231-977de48d93b2
Nancy krisch (2021). Wynberg Community Action Network: Where We Have Come From, Where We Are Going. Wynberg CAN News, 1 January. Available at: https://wynbergcan.wordpress.com/news/
Odendaal, N. (2021) ‘Recombining Place: COVID-19 and Community Action Networks in South Africa’, International Journal of E-Planning Research, 10(2), pp. 124-131.
https://ideas.repec.org/a/igg/jepr00/v10y2021i2p124-131.html
Observatory Community Action Network (Obs CAN). (2021). Group Information and Community Updates. Observatory Civic Association.Available at: https://obs.org.za/community-action-network/
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ONE.org. (2020). Cape Town Together unites divided communities. ONE Campaign. Available at: https://www.one.org/stories/cape-town-together-langa-can-south-africa/
Pateman, C. (1970) Participation and Democratic Theory. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/participation-and-democratic-theory/75E1EDCA6842303901349FB5D3B0F261
Roar Magazine. (2020) “Cape Town Together: organizing in a city of islands,” ROAR Magazine, early March. Available at: https://roarmag.org/essays/cape-town-together-organizing-in-a-city-of-islands/
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The Conversation (2020) ‘Local networks can help people in distress: South Africa’s COVID-19 response needs them’. Available at: https://theconversation.com/local-networks-can-help-people-in-distress-south-africas-covid-19-response-needs-them-138219
UCT News (2020) ‘The magic of Cape Town Together: Self-organising, neighbourhood-level responses to the COVID-19 crisis’, 11 December. Available at: https://www.news.uct.ac.za/article/-2020-12-11-the-magic-of-cape-town-together-self-organising-neighbourhood-level-responses-to-the-covid-19-crisis
University of the Western Cape, School of Public Health (2021) Report of Activities 2019–2020. Available at: https://issuu.com/849269/docs/soph_report_final_20_july_2021/s/12930891
Van Ryneveld, M., Whyle, E. and Brady, L. (2020) ‘What is COVID-19 teaching us about community health systems? A reflection from a rapid community-led mutual aid response in Cape Town, South Africa’, International Journal of Health Policy and Management, 11(1), pp. 5-8. doi:10.34172/ijhpm.2020.167. https://www.ijhpm.com/article_3904.html
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