Durban North resident puts preaching into practice

National Women’s Day, celebrated annually on 9 August, commemorates the 1956 march of approximately 20,000 women to the Union Buildings in Pretoria. In a four-part series, the Northglen News chats to women who are making a difference in their communities. This week, we chat to full-time pastor, Arianne Hayes-Hill.

She founded NPO, The Seed Fund shortly after she established her church, His Life Vineyard more than 10 years ago.

“The Malacca Road Informal Settlement was part of our church outreach programme since we established the church in 2009. In more recent years I started to focus on the children in the community. I believe that if we are to bring about significant change it is imperative for us to raise a generation that are inspired to dream of a life different to their current reality,” she said.

Also read: Life lessons I learnt as a teacher

Hayes-Hill it was a difficult time as a female pastor when she planted the church after 22 years in the corporate world of marketing.

“It’s easy to live in the shadows or to become what other people say you are, and this is especially true of women who are robbed of their true identity by what society says of them,” she said. 

“I know who I am and what I am called to do in life. I believe in myself and the abilities that God has given me and I do all that I can in God’s power to pursue my dreams and passions. I also have an incredibly supportive family who encourage me to be all that I am,” she added.

In case you missed it: VIDEO: Residents rebuild after fire devastates Malacca Road Informal Settlement

Through her work, she has discovered the vital role that women play as providers in the community.

“It’s the women who get things done in the community. They are the ones who take initiative. The women are resilient and the driving force behind much of the business activity in the settlement,” she said.

Through The Seed Fund, Hayes-Hill set up an Early Childhood Development centre at the Malacca Road Informal Settlement. She has also recently begun a ‘community mapping’ initiative to collect data on the community to assist with skills development and employment opportunities.

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At the time of going to press, the contents of this feature mirrored South Africa’s lockdown regulations.

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