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Rays of Hope

Director shares his throughts on the way forward for Rays of Hope

“I believe that the main priority for Rays of Hope at this stage is to forge closer ties with key role players in Alexandra. We have the infrastructure, good governance, and excellent projects in place, competent and motivated staff, and a group of amazing volunteers. In other words, a wonderful base from which to grow. Now we need to build on our existing partnerships.” These are the thoughts of Sihle Mooi, Rays of Hope’s new executive director. He continues: “This is all part of the healing process in South Africa. We need to continue stretching out helping hands to vulnerable children and other needy people in Alex. But we cannot do it alone. We need to partner with leadership structures, organisations and key individuals in Alex. We seriously need to sit around the table with all relevant community leaders to sketch the way forward in unity.” Sihle came to Rays of Hope last year with a strong background in Christian service. “I qualified in law at Wits University and then studied theology in Cape Town and at the Cornhill Bible Institute in London. Along the way, I was involved in planting churches in two cities, Cape Town and Durban, and also in Soweto. I also taught at the Johannesburg Bible College’s Soweto campus for four years.” After seven years in Soweto, Sihle needed a break, and a sabbatical in the United States followed. “Then I felt compelled to come back to South Africa and joined Rays of Hope, running the Child-Headed Households project. Now I am delighted to be the organisation’s executive director.” People and organisations outside the townships often do not understand the complexities of working in places like Alex. Sihle continues: “There are still legacies from the long history of inequality in our country. Living in the suburbs and dealing with people in the townships can be problematical as there are complex issues such as poverty levels and racial barriers to be overcome. Only by building relationships with a range of Alex-based institutions and organisations can we optimise our efforts and be more effective.” Sihle is convinced that reconciliation and blending the past with the future are integral to nation-building, and so is a vision of a South Africa where the dignity and worth of each individual, regardless of their social standing, is recognised and affirmed. This, he insists, is the vision of Rays of Hope.

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