Kranshoek People of Love Workshop at Cairnbrogie
This workshop was facilitated by Plett Land Art Residency’s Andree Bonthuys
This fun outing was co-ordinated with Maria Ziessler, a previous participant in the Plett Art Residency and a volunteer with People of Love.
People of Love is a community-based organisation that arose out of the need for food relief in the Plettenberg Bay area, and has since realised a greater ongoing purpose. Their essence is an investment in individual and community upliftment and innovative solutions that are sustainable and show measurable return on investment. The organisation is involved in community gardens, feeding programmes, educational initiatives, community clean up and a baking program that now supplies retailers in the area including Beacon Isle KwikSpar and Thyme & Again Farmstall.
On the day of the workshop, 15 teenagers – some of them street kids – were transported to and from Cairnbrogie for free by a kind taxi operator. The teens, mostly boys, poured out of the taxi and couldn’t wait to run free on the beautiful Cairnbrogie Farm.
First, they were sent off on a treasure hunt along a cycle track through the forest, with porcupine quills as clues. Their next task encouraged the teens to work together and build a shelter, using only natural “found” materials. At first they were sceptical but with a little encouragement, they agreed for me (Andree) to guard their precious quills while they worked. It was shocking for me how suspicious and distrusting they were of their friends and how precious the handful of quills were in a life that has so little.
Shelter and arch and mandala beautifully built, we then enjoyed refreshments brought by Maria, on the lawns at Cairnbrogie. Next they wanted to visit the horses and they relished the interaction with ‘old friends’, wild horses some of them had interacted with at Kranshoek before they were rescued to Cairnbrogie. These horses form part of the Griqua Heritage Herd, a unique group of horses with deep roots in the Griqua community. Learn more here.
Finally, they went to the dam for a swim as they waited for their taxi. I was treated to a delightful impromptu farewell song and dance just before their departure! It is so easy to be kind to people who have so little, and it is such a privilege to see their momentary joy!
Learn more about the Plett Art Residency at Plett ARTS Festival.
The Plett ARTS Festival will take place from 26 September – 4 October 2026. Learn more on www.plettartsfestival.co.za.
