Faith, Hope, and Restoration: Potchefstroom’s Youth Making a Difference
- Yolandi Botes
- 16 hours ago
- 3 min read
A man from Potchefstroom and his team of volunteers are making a visible difference in their community. Led by 22-year-old Peterson Sebati, founder of the nonprofit organization Retsa Tsela, this dedicated group has become a symbol of faith, unity, and service. Their ongoing efforts to clean and restore public spaces have not only inspired local residents but have also captured the attention and admiration of people across South Africa.
The Organisation Behind the Project
Retsa Tsela is a youth-led nonprofit initiative whose name means “making a way” or “paving a way” in Sesotho. The organization was founded in early 2025 by Peterson Sebati, a young man from Potchefstroom who decided to take action after seeing the condition of his neighbourhood park. What started as one individual’s effort to clean up an illegal dumping site soon grew into a collective movement of young people who wanted to change the face of their community.
Retsa Tsela’s work focuses on restoring dignity to neglected areas. Volunteers clean and refurbish public spaces such as parks, schoolyards, taxi ranks, and post offices, turning them back into safe and welcoming environments. The initiative relies on community participation, local donations, and faith-based motivation to sustain its projects.
The Mission and Vision
The mission of Retsa Tsela is rooted in service, restoration, and hope. The organisation strives to bring life back to neglected spaces through hands-on work. Volunteers spend their days cutting overgrown grass, trimming trees, collecting garbage, repainting walls, and fixing minor damages. Each cleanup is done with the aim of improving daily life for residents and instilling a sense of pride and responsibility in the community.
The vision extends beyond cleaning physical spaces. Retsa Tsela seeks to inspire change in attitude, to encourage citizens, especially the youth, to take ownership of their surroundings. Through these acts of service, the organization hopes to promote unity, compassion, and selfless giving across communities.
Project 44
Retsa Tsela’s current flagship campaign, Project 44, represents a bold and organized approach to community restoration. The goal is to revive 44 communities in Potchefstroom through a series of coordinated cleanup and refurbishment campaigns. Each area is approached systematically, with volunteers assessing what needs to be done and dedicating several days to complete the task.
Once all 44 areas have been restored, Retsa Tsela plans to expand its reach to Rustenburg, Klerksdorp, Mahikeng, and surrounding towns, replicating the same model of service and teamwork. The organization hopes that Project 44 will serve as a blueprint for similar initiatives across South Africa.
The Restoration of Resololetse High School
One of Retsa Tsela’s most notable achievements is the restoration of Resololetse High School in Ikageng. This project formed part of the organization’s broader mission to improve public spaces that directly serve young people. Over several days, the volunteers cleaned the school’s grounds, removed waste and overgrown vegetation, and repaired damaged areas.
Each day of the restoration was shared publicly to document the journey:
Day 1: The team began clearing debris and preparing the grounds, describing the effort as a day they would always remember.
Day 2: Volunteers worked tirelessly, expressing hope for the school’s future and for the community of Ikageng.
Day 3: The team reflected on the power of faith, noting that nothing is impossible when people work together with purpose.
Day 4: The volunteers continued their work under the belief that South Africa can rise again through collective effort and unity.
Day 5: The project concluded with gratitude to the school for its role in the community and a renewed commitment to keep serving.
The cleanup at Resololetse High School not only restored the physical environment but also reinforced a message of hope and resilience for learners, teachers, and residents of Ikageng.
Growing Community Support
The work of Retsa Tsela has attracted widespread attention. Videos and photos of the group’s cleanups have circulated widely on social media, showing before-and-after scenes of parks, schools, and public spaces brought back to life. Residents have praised the volunteers for taking action where help was needed most.
Community members have also begun contributing to the cause by donating materials such as refuse bags, paint, and gardening tools. Some have joined the volunteers during cleanups, helping to strengthen community involvement.
Looking Ahead
The Retsa Tsela team continues to carry out projects across Potchefstroom, guided by faith and determination. The long-term plan includes completing all 44 restoration sites under Project 44 and expanding the initiative to neighbouring towns.
The organisation remains committed to the idea that transformation starts with small, consistent acts of service. Each cleanup effort, no matter how small, contributes to a cleaner environment, safer spaces, and stronger communities.
Through dedication, teamwork, and faith, the young volunteers of Retsa Tsela are proving that positive change begins at home, and that with enough effort and belief, restoration is truly possible.
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