So this is my first posting (ever), and here's winking at the universe who's idea this was in the first place...

(Long-winded but necessary introduction follows...read, or skip, but don't blame anyone if you don't know what the hell is going on two months down the line..)

Introduction (written on 16 August 2012, a day before construction started. So yes, a historical note of sorts)

Some months ago I started experimenting with baking artisan’s breads, in an effort to improve my rather mundane white loaves. I came across some truly inspiring literature (has anyone else been rattled by Cyril Hitz?) on this subject, and was fortunate enough to experience a three-week holiday in Italy and Paris, adding significantly to the interest and enthusiasm for  better bread.

 

During this time, my interest in home-made earth ovens developed with equal enthusiasm. I ordered the much-acclaimed Kiko Denzer method, and studied the author’s step-by-step explanations, musing and guidelines through this ancient technique with a very specific focus, namely to be able to bake at the best possible temperatures, and with a low-cost and energy-saving method. The idea of cob or mud ovens has always appealed to me, from both the artistic creation potential as well as the economical potential within this method.

 

Two other important parallel developments occurred, in some strange idiosyncrasy with the above: my on-going interest with Delft (in particular community members who used to be involved with me in the Delft Schools Peer Mediation Project) and the growth of the ADAPT project at UCT (a diversity/inclusivity initiative that I designed, initially for anti-discrimination advisors on campus, part of policy development and stuff) As facilitator and Project Leader in the latter project, I was constantly trying to inspire and suggest ideas for participants to implement in their so-called ‘follow-up workshops’ (a continuation of the particular working group’s endeavour to show-case practical implementation of ‘intercultural competencies’ explored and achieved at initial Adapt workshop).

 

I was struck by the rich potential that a community such as Delft has to offer in from a skills development and outreach programme that addresses poverty, gender roles, informal employment possibilities. I was in in the process of gathering information for a documentary on peer mediation within gangs, when I was introduced to a group of unemployed men, who gather frequently at a certain house owner’s backyard in Delft South. They lamented (on the video-recorded interviews) about the trap of gangsterism, lack of opportunities in Delft, the crime-ridden and impoverished community, yet offered their willingness to change their realities, should any chance present itself.  On that day, and during the course of these interviews, the project was born: I decided an earth oven had to be build in Derek’s (the owner of this pool house) backyard, and these young men would form the first legion of a new bread-baking team of young unemployed men. They would take part and ownership of the building and construction of the oven, and would attend regular workshops on bread-baking. And not just any breads: artisan and sourdough breads, ciabattas, baguettes, epi’s, etc. The metaphor of hand-made breads has always been a powerful one for me, where the most beautiful culinary and nutritional creation could be shaped and baked with the bare minimum of ingredients. Rising above been trampled and enduring fire to a metamorphosis of much acclaim and admiration rang well and true for me, and I have very little doubt that this concept will be well received.

 

 

From an Adapt/TSO/UCT perspective, the project seems to offer the following:

 

1.     It provides a powerful and on-going example of a University-driven transformation initiative, and as Adapt follow-up workshop.  As such, it lends itself to training potential, skills development, knowledge building with potential benefits not only for the Adapt programme, but also for the community, the participants, and the facilitators involved.

 

2.     From a transformation and outreach on-going ‘ activity it offers room for growth and expansion: GSB, agricultural/archaeology , economy, engineering and sociology staff/students (to name but a few possibilities) may well choose to get involved (from an Adapt follow-up workshop, or otherwise) in order to assist with clay oven spaces, structures, designs and/or with the nutritional layers embedded within this project.

 

3.     It is foreseen that more ovens with be constructed in the Delft area (at least 3 other possibilities have since arisen), as well as request from other impoverished communities (one further request from Eersterivier). Many more volunteers will be needed to respond to these requests, and will create sustainable opportunities for staff/students who want to get involved.

 

4.     It further provides a convincing and appropriate example to some of the questions arising from the debate about the place/role of the University, and in particular its responsibility to respond to communities in crisis.

 

From a community point of view the benefits of the project include:

 

1.     Skills development and creation of informal employment opportunities for young unemployed men (many of them struggling to deal with the scourge of gangsterim, crime and drugs) within communities where this need has reached crisis proportions. Being able to produce a variety of artisan breads is a sought-after skill, and may very well enhance the chances of securing employment, in either formal or informal sector.

 

2.     Responding to immediate poverty and hunger needs: the initial principle works on the basis that for two breads that are baked, one must be given away to someone that needs it. The fuel economy, low-cost construction and maintenance of the cob oven and baking procedures make this a very real and achievable goal: a single firing (between one to two wheelbarrows of alien fire-wood, available for free) will provide the correct and sustainable baking temperature for eight hours of continued baking. This means a n oven with a 1.5m radius, capable of baking 6 breads in a 35 minute cycle will be able to produce 82 breads daily!

 

3.     The opportunity to challenge gender stereotypes, in communities that are notorious (as most) for enforcing patriarchal societal beliefs and rituals (such as that only women cook and bake).

 

4.     The opportunity for a sustainable food chain to be established, with many growth opportunities embedded within this model. In the worst case scenario, where only a couple of breads are eventually distributed, I would like to believe that it still has meaning, even if the scale is smaller  and less ambitious than initially anticipated.

 

Present state/development of Project:

 

Oven construction

 

1.     I have been able to source and collect free clay from a brick factory, which should be enough for two or three ovens.  I will provide building sand, straw and urbanite (rock, pieces of discarded concrete, for the oven basis) as well as clay bricks (22 per floor).

2.     The construction of this first prototype cob oven will be over two days: Phase 1 will be the erection and drying of the basis, and Phase 2, the rest of the oven.

 

Baking workshops will follow as soon as the oven has been ‘cured’ and ready for baking. I will start off with a basic white bread, then sourdough breads and the method of making low-cost ‘starters’, before moving on to artisan breads, pizza’s and croissants.

  

I am tremendously enthusiastic about this project, and I know that a very eager team of 9 young unemployed men (regulars of Derek’s pool house, and hand-picked by him) is waiting for me and my three volunteers tomorrow, and with high expectations. I have met some of them on several occasions in planning all of this. I will do everything in my power not to disappoint them. 

(this picture tells the story of my first meeting with Derek and some of the boys..Derek, in the black jacket, is musing about the possibilities of creating activities for the youngsters with absolutely nothing to do in Delft. Which, of course, is why this idea was born..)

Next time: photos and story of first two building sessions...