The Salvation Army in Goodwood celebrated its 100 years of hope “better, together”.
Lieutenant Mpumelelo Dathini from the Salvation Army said they decided on the theme of hope because that is what they have been doing through all its community outreach programmes – giving people hope for today.
“It’s no use to promise people that things will change when they are hungry today, so our theme centred around opportunities of hope that we have been able to extend to our community on the day they needed it,” says Dathini.
According to Dathini, the theme would give direction to the activities that will take place over the weekend. The planning committee set out three days for the celebration.
Friday was allocated to the youth celebration.
The Saturday was planned with a mission focus and outreach, and the main celebrations would take place that afternoon.
Sunday was decided to be a reflective covenant time which will help the corps recommit to the call for mission.
Ward councillor Cecille Janse van Rensburg was the first speaker of the day who congratulated Goodwood Corps for the centenary and called for a strong partnership between the community and government, urging that the public cannot see real and tangible change unless community organisations, the community and government work together.
‘People are desperate for real hope’
“Three things stood out for me, our outreach at Goodwood Mall, we are known for giving physical food, but on this day we served spiritual food, reminding those listening of the hope that is in Jesus,” says Dathini.
Dathini says people stood with them in the rain to hear about this ‘living hope’. “People are desperate for real hope and on this day we could share that hope with them,” says Dathini.
The second thing that stood out for Dathini was the message by Reverend Colin Campbell, who reminded all those who attended the official celebration on Saturday that “we cannot be the light alone, it is better when we work together, he went on to say we are better together!”
This was key for the Salvation Army because they realised that they cannot bring down poverty, social injustices, domestic abuse, and other ills alone, “there is an army of do-gooders in Goodwood”.
“We need each one of them to bring tangible hope to Goodwood.
“The third highlight was the opportunity we had to serve a hot meal on the day.
“We fed 60 plus people on that rainy, overcast day. Many congratulated the Salvation Army on the 100 years and shared their sincere appreciation for the way the Salvation Army has served them,” says Dathini.
