Tugela's beacon of hope: Pastor recognised for three decades of community upliftment
FOR more than 30 years, Pastor Garon Govender has been a steadfast voice for rural and semi-rural communities across KwaZulu-Natal and for his unwavering commitment to his community, he recently received an accolade at the Hope Awards ceremony at the Bonamanzi Game Reserve in Hluhluwe.
The Diamond Award of Excellence honours those who have weathered trials, stood unshaken in storms, and used their influence to bring light into dark places.
The award celebrates the recipient’s relentless pursuit of justice and his unwavering hope.
The 54-year-old said mission to help others began in the same Tugela neighbourhood where he grew up.
“I watched the struggles of people who were trying to build a brighter future for themselves and the next generation. I realised that this was not going to just magically happen and that people needed to work together to fight injustice and prejudice,” said Govender, of Tugela.
Govender is the head of the Sikhanyisa Foundation, a registered non-profit organisation focused on community upliftment, youth development, and social justice interventions.
He described the foundation as a bridge between vulnerable communities and the opportunities they often struggled to access.
“Sikhanyisa Foundation began bringing people together to celebrate achievements, challenge social ills, and develop opportunities for anyone who needed access to resources,” he said.
Govender credits his parents for instilling values that continued to guide his work.
“My parents were focused on helping people. They were involved in church and community work and I saw how much of a difference it made in the world around me. This taught me so much about God, and this shaped my faith and value system.”
Over three decades, Govender has seen the transformation of children who once believed their futures were predetermined by poverty.
“Watching children that grew up in disadvantaged homes achieve things they thought would be impossible; that keeps me going. Our intervention programmes have inspired children and young people to rise above their circumstances.”
He said Tugela remained a “forgotten community,” where many young people felt they lacked hope.
“We change this on a daily basis by helping our kids and young people to value who they are and realise their full potential.”
In recent years, Govender and the Sikhanyisa Foundation took on one of their most dangerous challenges – fighting fraudulent land invasions in Tugela.
According to Govender, criminals impersonating traditional authorities seized land belonging to poor families, many of them long-standing Indian homeowners, and illegally sold these properties without documentation.
“We took on these criminals and represented these poorer families in the high court. We had to raise the money to mount up a legal defence and challenge this social ill.”
Their efforts, he said, succeeded.
On February 13 last year, the Durban High Court granted an interdict preventing the unlawful sale of privately owned properties, a victory Govender described as one of the foundation’s proudest moments.
But the fight came with personal danger.
“While physically defending private properties from land invaders, I have had to often stand alone against groups of armed criminals intimidating our community. They threatened us with guns and often physically attacked us. There was an incident where a hired assassin was sent to intimidate me at my home.”
Govender received the Beacon of Hope Diamond Award of Excellence, presented by a committee led by bestselling author and publisher Kelly Markey.
“I was humbled by the recognition afforded to me because my work has never been about public acknowledgement. I fulfil my purpose because it is what I am meant to do and what I am called for, regardless of whether it is appreciated or acknowledged.”
He added that the award was celebrated with particular pride by the people who have fought many battles alongside him.
Govender believes the next phase of the country’s social justice fight must be youth-driven.
“Young people should be central to our fight against injustice. They have the passion and energy to fight for causes that will bring change to our country and our communities.”
He emphasised that activism today included both physical efforts and digital advocacy.
“With social media and technology taking centre stage for most young people, these resources can be used to bring awareness and to support just causes like ours. We need keyboard warriors as much as we need physical feet on the ground.”
Govender said the Sikhanyisa Foundation was currently advocating around several major social crises: corruption in municipal structures, land invasions, anti-competitive behaviour in taxi and construction sectors, police apathy, and abuses within education and health departments.
“The more voices that join this dialogue and call for social change, the more likely we will see real change in our generation. Join the struggle. Add your voice to the cry for freedom from tyranny and injustice,” said Govender.