Two New Plymouth District Council (NPDC) community grants have helped Taranaki’s African residents feel at home.
Last year, members of the African expat community in Taranaki set up the Sisonke Taranaki African Community as a way to bring together the region’s African residents to share their culture and celebrate the diversity of Taranaki.
Last year the group received a $3000 NPDC community services and programmes grant to help with startup and registration costs for the organisation. Another grant for $5000 from the community events grant fund helped with the cost of flags for a Mandela Day celebration in February as well as helping with costs for an African Day celebration.
“Sisonke is a word derived from the South African Zulu language. To us, it means kotahitanga, togetherness, unity, peace and love,” said Sisonke co-founder Petunia Twala.
“These grants will help us celebrate the diversity of our home continent and bring Africans together create a home away from home and share our ancestors’ unique food, songs, games and histories.”