Goboti: The Eastern Cape village where no one goes hungry

John Maytham interviews Estelle Ellis, Journalist at the Daily Maverick.

Listen below.

Under the leadership of Methodist Reverend Gcobani Vika, the village of Goboti has developed a highly successful development plan that has attracted national attention. Government officials countrywide are now eager to uncover the secrets behind their success.

In 1995, the residents of Goboti, located near Ngcobo in the Eastern Cape, came together to create a self-sufficient development strategy. 

They established a non-profit organisation to bring their vision to life.

After completing his master’s degree at the University of Edinburgh in 1997, Reverend Vika's friends and classmates helped raise funds for his PhD.

However, feeling a strong urge to return home, it was decided to redirect the funds to support Goboti. This led to the establishment of Friends of Goboti.

As a result of this initiative, no one in the village goes hungry, highlighting the remarkable impact of their community-driven development plan.

"I'm so encouraged by how many people are coming to see the village of Goboti to ask them how they can also implement this plan in their village."

- Estelle Ellis, Journalist – Daily Maverick

According to Ellis, the key to their success lies in over 15 years of dedicated effort, led by Reverend Vika.

She says his strong ethics and values, combined with a leadership approach that involves everyone in the village, have been crucial to their achievements.

The villagers' next initiative is to create processing facilities for their vegetables, to keep all income within the village.

"They have already shown they can do something before they got government assistance."

- Estelle Ellis, Journalist – Daily Maverick

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