An Evening of Hope in Phesantekraal
- Leon du Toit
- Jun 24
- 3 min read
I recently had the opportunity to join a friend and several members of our church on a visit to Phesantekraal, a community situated on the outskirts of the greater Cape Town area. Every week, weather permitting, a dedicated couple travels there with bread, sausages, and cold drinks to serve the local children and families.
Meeting Place ( Photo courtesy of Google earth)
While the food is important, it represents something far greater. For some of the children, ranging from as young as four years old to teenagers, this may be the warmest meal they receive all week.
The evening begins around 5:00 pm when the fire is lit. What starts as a small group of about ten children gradually grows to nearly a hundred. At a nearby intersection(photo above), football games, running, dancing, laughter, and excited shouting all happen simultaneously. Amid the energy and excitement, everyone also has to remain aware of passing traffic. Donated Bible and books were distributed to the young ones and it was a joy to behold the change in their demeanor. I overheard some of the schoolgoing children tell their smaller siblings that they would read the books to them
Some of the older boys take responsibility for the barbecue while others drift away, only to return later when the food is ready. Like many communities facing economic hardship, Phesantekraal has its challenges, including the presence of gangs. Yet in this small gathering place there seems to be a sense of peace. Perhaps it is created by the intentions of those who come—to bring hope, friendship, encouragement, and the message that a different future is possible.
Children of all ages swirl around the gathering. One of the young women from our group dances with a circle of girls while, nearby, one of the older men enthusiastically joins a football game with a group of ten-year-olds. His report the next day included complaints about sore muscles—a small price to pay for an evening well spent.
Eventually the sausages are cooked, the bread prepared, and the cool drinks poured. There is no formality; everyone simply serves and shares what is available. Some of the younger children are so hungry that they move only a few steps away before eagerly devouring their meal. Watching their gratitude is deeply moving. Equally moving are the expressions on the faces of those serving. In that moment, both giver and receiver are blessed.
As the evening drew to a close, a father of several teenagers approached me. He knew that we brought both food and a Biblical message, but he wanted to understand the deeper reason behind what we were doing.
For many people, what happened next may sound unusual, but in that moment a single word filled my heart. My answer was simple:
“Love.”
I felt an overwhelming sense of compassion for this fellow father. As we spoke in the fading light, it felt as though we were the only two people standing in that open space. He shared his struggles openly—raising difficult teenagers on his own after his wife had left, carrying burdens that few people could see. It was a reminder that pain exists everywhere, often hidden behind everyday faces.
Around us, others were having similar conversations. Some of the women from our group spent time encouraging teenage girls, offering advice, comfort, and a listening ear. A toddler fell asleep on someone's lap because, for a brief moment, it felt like the safest place in the world. Another volunteer took a young boy under her wing after discovering that he was being bullied.
Looking more closely at the faces around you, it is difficult not to notice the weariness. In many eyes there is a sense of hopelessness, as though tomorrow is simply another day to endure. Parents may be absent, struggling with addiction, working long hours, or simply overwhelmed. Older siblings may be caught up in gangs, drugs, or destructive influences. The cycle seems relentless, pulling generation after generation downward.
Yet the question remains:
Is there hope?
I believe there is.
Hope arrives when people choose to show up. It arrives through a shared meal, a listening ear, a game of football, a comforting conversation, or a simple act of kindness. Most of all, hope arrives when we intentionally share the love that God has placed within us.
The needs are great, but so is the opportunity to make a difference.
If you would like to help bring hope to communities such as Phesantekraal, or if you would like to become involved in any way, please feel free to contact me.
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