Above: Jasmine on her graduation day.

Growing up in Hout Bay, Hangberg, Jasnine’s early life was shaped by many challenges. She attended Oranjekloof Moravian Primary School before moving on to Hout Bay High School.

Alongside her schooling, she navigated the realities of a community where substance abuse and exposure to violence formed part of daily life.

Jasnine explains: “At times, I felt like I was drowning in everything happening around me. But there was always this voice inside me that said, ‘You can make it. You can change your story.’”

Living in a challenging environment made focus and a sense of direction difficult to maintain. Yet within this environment, Jasnine describes herself as “a sunflower growing out of concrete,” a powerful reflection of resilience and determination.

Jasnine joined Lalela in primary school, around Grade 4.

“Lalela expanded my worldview, showing me possibilities of growth and self-expression. Through making art, the mentorship I received from the facilitators, and their support, I began dreaming beyond my immediate surroundings, learned to map out my goals, and built the tools I would later use to rebuild my life. To be honest, those tools are really helpful in my current life situations.”

Jasnine experienced Lalela as a structured, creative space that allowed her to pause and reflect despite the challenges of her immediate surroundings. Each Lalela session began with a moment of quiet, giving her time to ground herself.

“Meditation helped me a lot. Coming from a community that has a lot of noise, and before going home after school, having that time to quiet your mind, dream big, and imagine things really helped my brain stay focused at the time.”

Lalela facilitators created an environment where young people felt seen and heard. “They made us feel at home,” she recalls. “We had the freedom to express how we felt.”

High school, however, proved to be another obstacle. The loss of her uncle, a pivotal figure in her life, combined with family stresses, led to repeated academic setbacks. Yet even in the face of failure, Jasnine held onto her vision of success.

“I failed, not once, but twice. I felt lost. But deep down, I knew failure was just part of my journey. I couldn’t give up.”

She remembers one facilitator in particular, the late Rowan Roman, whose support during her challenging high school years left a lasting impact. During what she describes as some of the most difficult years of her schooling, his consistent encouragement helped her remain focused on completing school.

“I remember Rowan very well. He was a very, very good facilitator. In my last years of high school, which were the toughest years of my schooling, he was very supportive. He was like a family member to us.”

A turning point in Jasnine’s life came when she moved in with her grandparents, a decision that helped realign her focus. During this time, she began working on farms and wine estates, cultivating not only grapes but also a new work ethic and sense of purpose. She later enrolled at West Coast College, marking a new chapter of growth.

Jasnine became involved with SAFE (Sovereign Agroecology and Food Empowerment), the Greenies programme, and the Goedgedacht Trust, all of which played a role in shaping her understanding of community development and agroecology.

The Goedgedacht Trust, through its POP (Path Onto Prosperity) centre, was where Jasnine’s journey as a facilitator began. There, she immersed herself in community work, which later led to agriculture training. Her involvement in the organisation’s SEF (Social Employment Fund) programmes also allowed her to collaborate with others in forming a cooperative focused on community work.

In her first year with the SEF programme, Jasnine attended an international permaculture course on the Goedgedacht farm. The experience deeply motivated her and connected her with mindful individuals from across South Africa.

“Through agroecology, I realised that I could not only feed myself but also help build a stronger, more resilient community.”

Her experiences with the Goedgedacht Trust, SAFE, and the Surplus People Project introduced her to activism, where social justice, environmental care, and self-sufficiency intersect. Through these organisations, her vision of creating a childcare or early childhood development (ECD) programme was born. Jasnine recognised that, just as she had been supported by Lalela, she wanted to motivate the next generation by providing children with opportunities to grow, learn, and flourish.

Her memories of Lalela are filled with moments of fun, and art-making.

“If I would describe a favourite moment of Lalela, it would be the laughter, the sharing of stories, putting our stories into artworks, and learning from our own experiences and mistakes. One moment that really stood out for me was going on outings and singing the Lalela song together with the moves. I cannot get this picture out of my head, how we used to sing together and laugh together. That was magical.”

Reflecting on her journey, Jasnine credits the tools she developed through Lalela, including focus, self-expression, and the ability to imagine beyond her circumstances, as foundations she continues to draw on today.

After high school Jasnine went on to sturdy further and graduated from the Weste Coast College with six distinctions, an achievement that reflects her resilience and commitment to her future.

“I am living proof that where you come from doesn’t determine where you’re going. It’s about what you do with the opportunities you’re given, and I was blessed to have organisations like the Goedgedacht Trust, SAFE, Surplus People Project, and the Lalela Project walking this journey with me.”

Jasnine’s journey is far from over. She dreams of continuing her advocacy for agroecology, building stronger communities, and creating safe spaces for children to grow, just as she was supported. Through her efforts, she hopes future generations will also have opportunities to shape their own futures.

“I am grateful to all of my facilitators and mentors over the years …You truly changed my life in more ways than you can imagine. Organisations like these really do make an impact, and that is what I would like to do — help others the way I was helped.”

Jasnine’s message to young people is clear:

“Never let your circumstances determine your future. Don’t shrink yourself to fit the world; see the world as an opportunity. Go beyond what you think is possible, and learn the skills that challenge you. If your dreams don’t scare you, they’re not big enough.”