Entrepreneurship in action

Our fully-guided township experiences are part of a non-profit making social enterprise founded by MADaboutART to grow the local economy and create a brighter future for children and families in the township. The enterprise provides income and career opportunity for local youth and helps fund MADaboutART’s after-school curriculum for local children. All profits are reinvested to fight HIV and inspire children to make positive life choices

Our tour explores the community around MADaboutART. The first residents were moved here by force in the 80s under apartheid. Many were hungry. People chopped trees to build shelters. There was no electricity. People burned wood for warmth. Today life is much improved. Even so some families are still without electricity, running water, proper toilets and money for food

Visitors are guided on an interactive walk to explore the authentic diversity of township life. At first glance, life may seem a daily struggle but delve deeper and you’ll find a place of friendship and resilience.

In the streets around MADaboutART visitors experience the culture and ways of the township. Learn about Xhosa traditions and the role of the Sangoma (traditional healer). There are many sights along the way; the contrast between traditional wooden homes and Government-built brick homes, cattle and pigs grazing among the dwellings, taverns, local shops, women doing daily laundry, every day is a different experience. Finally, we visit MADaboutART. Visitors join the children as they sing, paint, bead, whatever the activity of the day is (curriculum dependent).MADaboutART's gallery of narrative artwork by children affected by HIV provides social commentary to the AIDS epidemic and hope for the future. We hope our visitors will take a little township magic home with them (and leave a little piece of their heart with us)