Overview

The Greater Together Foundation (GTF) was formed in response to the civil unrest that erupted in KwaZulu-Natal and other parts of South Africa in July 2021. Communities came to the forefront as a source of stability against lawlessness and as an essential driver of the rapid clean-up and aid efforts. However, there were tragic exceptions where an uncoordinated community response was harmful to social cohesion and the rule of law. Firstly, we believe that a "community" is defined as a group of people living in an area under the same government. In addition, "community" can refer to a social group or class having common interests. Schools, businesses, public and private organizations, religious and social groups are vital elements of the community. However, the lack of general community safety, incredibly high rates of crime, and the socioeconomic issues that underpin lawlessness are a collective concern for all community members, from the wealthiest to the poorest and most vulnerable groups. Tackling the unmet expectations and scarcity of resources within a community and building partnerships across diverse groups is key to improving the quality of life for all and ensuring a safer and more prosperous community. Therefore, our mandate is to develop a replicable model for safer and healthier communities that can be shared to drive positive change. We cannot change the past, but we can shape the future by working together. We will promote social cohesion and engage and collaborate with communities in solving the aforementioned problems within their areas.