According to Mooi, his passion for Alexandra comes from the significant role that the community plays in our country. “It is the oldest township in South Africa. It is a township with the highest recipients of urban migration so there is a massive amount of people moving in.”
He added that in many ways, Alexandra was a ‘quintessential township’ which represented all townships. “I also think that it gives a picture of South Africa because it is right next to the richest square mile in Africa. The shock people get when they actually see, when they leave Sandton and come to Alex, the massive disparity.”
Rays of Hope was started in 1991 by a group of young individuals in a church in Sandton to help bridge the gap between both areas. “I think these young people released what it really meant to love their neighbour and not just love those that look like them.”
The foundation started with a Saturday school which tutored learners of all ages in mathematics and English. This was only the beginning as the group learnt that many of those learners did not eat or were faced with a number of challenges at home.
