For Arendéne Du Plessis, chairperson of Badisa Tulbagh’s management board, community service is not just a project or a position – it’s a way of life. Her involvement with Badisa began eleven years ago, shortly after she moved to Tulbagh.
“I lived in Cape Town, and when I moved to Tulbagh, my late father-in-law suggested that I get involved with Badisa. He always supported Badisa, and his love for the organisation was contagious.”
After Rev. Simpson retired from the management board in 2023, following more than 35 years of service, Arendéne took over as chairperson. “I’ve always loved children and the community,” she says. “I previously started a play school, and I’ve also been involved in the Santa’s Shoebox project in Tulbagh for many years.”
She and her husband own and manage the OK Express and fuel station in town, while raising their three children: two daughters and a son who suffers from a rare disease. “He’s doing very well under the circumstances,” she says.
The people behind the mission
(f.l.t.r.) Shuneez Flink, Karoline Seprember, Ivana Julies
The Badisa Tulbagh team is small but dynamic. “We have two amazing social workers, an auxiliary social worker, and a new administrative officer,” explains Arendéne. “We are eight board members, and everyone does their part. This is not a one-man show. It’s wonderful to work with people who love the Lord and the community.”
‘I realised that we were going to have to stand firm’
About three years ago, Badisa Tulbagh’s office was the target of a burglary that caused extensive damage. “The office was completely ransacked,” says Arendéne. “Many of the files were damaged because the thieves also started a fire inside the building.”
The period after the burglary was exhausting. “The temporary office was far from ideal,” she explains. “There was no privacy for our social workers to speak with their clients, and we had to recover all the files and lost information. It was an enormous task.”
Juanita Beukes, who was the BMD at the time, played a major role in the recovery process. “She helped us bring order during a time that was difficult for everyone,” says Arendéne.
After a period of negotiations with the municipality, Tourism Board, and Volksmuseum, Badisa Tulbagh finally secured new office premises. “Each employee now has their own office, there’s privacy, space for training, and sufficient bathroom facilities. Today, our office is a place where we can truly receive people with dignity.”
‘We were able to keep our doors open and support our community’
Finances remain a challenge, especially in rural areas. We also went through a difficult period, but sometimes when it feels like your back is against the wall, that’s when the creative solutions start coming! What followed was a time of faith, perseverance, and hard work. We started raising funds and cut expenses wherever we could. We spoke with farmers and did the legwork to meet people and secure funding,” says Arendéne.
What followed was a time of faith, perseverance, and hard work. “We started raising funds and cut back on expenses wherever we could. We spoke with farmers and did extensive legwork to meet people and secure funding.”
Slowly but surely, things began to turn around. “The Lord is so good,” says Arendéne. “He opened the doors for us. Today, for the first time, Badisa Tulbagh is no longer in the red financially. We even have some money that we can invest for the future.”
A step in the right direction
(f.l.t.r.) Mariëtte Smith, Aretha Theron, Bonita Simpson, Rev Reggie Simpson, Juanita Beukes, Jacques Siebrits, Leonard Kies. Inserts: Linda Awerbuch, Heidi Brand, Luciana van Huyssteen
Although Badisa Tulbagh and Steinthal Children’s Home are part of the same Badisa family, their focus areas differ. “It’s like giving pocket money to a brother and sister,” says Arendéne. “Each of us has our own focus and unique purpose. We want to invite the community to support both, because together we can truly make a positive difference.”
“In the past two years, things have really changed,” says Arendéne. “The community now has a much better understanding of the services we offer. And also, for the first time, we got an excellent BMD. Juanita Beukes took over our programme and provided wonderful leadership to our staff.”
When Juanita passed away earlier this year in a car accident, it was a huge shock – not only for Badisa as an organisation but especially for the Badisa Tulbagh team. “It was a tremendous setback for us on both a personal and professional level,” says Arendéne. “But then another BMD, Linda Awerbuch, joined us, and her knowledge and insight are just as phenomenal.”
This succession of strong leadership has given Badisa Tulbagh new stability. “For the first time, we had two exceptional experts who could support our office. With their help, and the support of the board, our office began to flourish.”
‘We’re not just putting out fires anymore’
Sheldene Arendse and pre-school children in the community
For a long time, the team at Badisa Tulbagh felt as though they were just putting out fires. “We weren’t doing any preventative work, and that was a major concern for us,” says Arendéne.
In the past two years, there has also been a noticeable change in this area. “Now we’re at a point where we’re ahead of the wildfire,” she says. “Our social workers facilitate prevention programmes at schools and farms in the community. We can now offer programmes that focus on strengthening relationships.”
A light in the community
Arendéne’s faith, her love for children, and her ability to bring people together carried Badisa Tulbagh through its most difficult times. Today, the office is not just a place of work but a beacon of hope for the entire community. “We don’t do this for recognition,” she says. “We do it because we believe in what’s possible when people care.”
Visit Badisa Tulbagh’s Facebook page or contact Karoline September at badisatulbagh@gmail.com to learn more or to make a donation.
Donate the following items to Badisa Tulbagh:
- Children’s toys
- Children’s clothing
