Ubuntu Music In The Park Aim To Build Stronger Families And Create Opportunities That Improve Lives And Reduce Poverty

Lawrence Palmer realized that empowering people could help eradicate poverty because those who have been empowered will become self-reliant from their own skills, including those that they have learned. With that in mind, he initiated Ubuntu Music In The Park an undertaking that contributes towards the alleviation of crime and poverty





Ubuntu Music In The Park was founded by Palmer and launched on 3 June 2018 Palmer explains: " Our aim is to unite and build strong families in our diverse community through Music, arts, and culture, with the vision of creating opportunities that help improve lives while reducing poverty in the community.
We meet on the first Sunday of each month in Pufaro Park, Newlands East, from 10am -5pm it is a free community socially cohesive undertaking, which encourages the community to attend after church, and entry is free





We provide a free community market space where locals can sell their goods to generate an income. Further, a safe place is provided for the youth to showcase their talents. People with disabilities are welcome, and our team works very closely with Denise Greeves who runs the Ward 11 Disability Forum which has an information desk at Ubuntu Music in the Park. We are also in partnership with a local Health & Wellness Clinic run by Sr Renee Benny, and a Nonprofit Organization called “Hope & Harmony, who share similar values and goals as Ubuntu. Hope & Harmony NPC offers a range of wellness services for our diverse community at the event. These include fitness programs, mental health support, nutrition counseling, stress management workshops, preventive health screenings, and more.













We collaborate with Crystal Foundation of Hope, founder Martha Linderboom, who takes care of the Food Security for poor families in need. At our monthly free community market, Ubuntu runs a Food Drive called “Donate a Can '' whereby people donate perishable or non-perishable foods for families in need which Crystal Foundation takes care of.
Our vision is also to create a safe space for all offenders who are released from prison, welcoming them back into society, while attempting to design projects that will keep them active positively.
We have secured adopted spots from municipalities for agricultural projects that will be used to sustain the organization and provide employment.











We have been a part of community development for many years. Part of our economic development program was assisting pensioners to create and set up stalls at our community market and to register as traders with the eThekwini Municipality Department of Health.
Our training and development in partnership with SETA accredited service provided training for 30 accredited HIV/AIDS Peer Educators.
A few of our vendors who have been trading at the community market have registered their small businesses and have become self-sustainable"
The parents of local R&B superstars, Verd, Wayne, and Anne Eaton have also extended the circle of kindness by participating in the Ubuntu resolution.









On Sunday 30 June, DJs LJ Kingslide/ Carlo charmed the audience with the warmth and depth of his deep velvety baritone voice, while DJ Sean displayed his creative digital prowess, and potential to keep the audience on the dance floor. Guitarist Nigel Summers' skills were nothing short of genius. He spoke through his acoustic guitar, interpreting his sound into a musical odyssey. Denver Usher was a force to be reckoned with as he communicated the heartache, vulnerability, and resilience through the lyrics with his soulful voice, in his rendition of; 'It’s Been A Long Time Coming.' Marice Lawler's vocal timbre and tonal inflection resonated with the audience in her songs, with harmonic force.
To their great delight, the local children were treated to horse riding, which also instilled compassion and respect for animals.



It is apparent that Lawrence and Samantha Palmer have provided a positive environment that can be defined as a place where there is trust, cooperation, safety, risk-taking, support, accountability, and equality. A place where one can strive for a shared purpose, values, and trust.

Lorraine Richards

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