It is a beacon of hope and care in a town, which is increasingly becoming sucked into a seemingly unstoppable crime wave, and political shenanigans that keep Endumeni in chains.
But it is the chains of poverty, destitution and hopelessness that are being broken at Melusi Christian Community on Cornhill Street.

Founded 32 years ago on the five-hectare property previously occupied by the Betania Swedish Mission Hospital, the name was changed from the original Mahyeno Mission to Melusi some years ago.
The motto, ‘Serving Christ, Serving Others’ is lived out by the team of fellowship members who come from Germany, Holland, South Africa and other countries as a mix of short and long term volunteers.
The Food for Work programme is part of a ‘hand up rather than a hand out’ with the jobless coming to Melusi to work in the vegetable garden. For their work, they earn a food parcel.

“Between 15 and 20 volunteers arrive here daily to work in the garden producing the most beautiful produce,” said Pastor Stefan who hails from Germany.

The garden is managed by Dave, one of the 18 residents, currently staying at Melusi, attended a private school and was successful in his working career until life took a harsh turn. He came to Melusi for a new start in life and is doing well and enjoying his time out in the garden, making his life meaningful again.
“Our oldest resident was 74. Life takes people down rocky roads. They have no way to go, are out in the streets and suffer from alcohol and drug addiction. In most cases their families have abandoned them. Melusi becomes their family,” Pastor Stefan told the Courier.

“We teach them life skills like time management, how to do a job for an interview, entrepreneurship, computer literacy and to be more professional in their approach.”

But this is no holiday camp. Residents are expected to work and while no one is ‘forced to accept religion’ the need for the residents to ‘experience God’s transforming and restoring love and to make lead them into a strong relationship with God is Melusi’ ultimate passion and goal’.
One of the most useful programmes at Melusi is the Siya-Sebenze Project that operates a training centre. With Ayanda Mdlalose as facilitator and Daniel van de Vlag as co-ordinator, the two week programmes – with 25 students per class – aim to make young people ‘employable’.

“We teach them life skills like time management, how to do a job for an interview, entrepreneurship, computer literacy and to be more professional in their approach. We have been very successful in placing graduates at local businesses which is very gratifying,” said Ayanda.
The emphasis is on English skills, employability, excellence and exceptional.
With Melusi also doing outreaches to informal settlements which are hotbeds of grinding poverty, conducting a youth ministry and Sunday School (Kidz Clubs), there is no doubt that Melusi is exceptional and a place of living faith and hope.