Rainbow Commons and sustainability centre

Re-Forming Formed: 2004 Established: 2006

This page last updated:12/2/2012

Howick,

South Africa

The Rainbow Commons is an off-grid living and learning centre for sustainability. We host individuals and groups to experience appropriate technology, cooperative living, and permaculture design.

Zuvuya is 1000 acres of land located at the foot of a mountain in the Midlands of KwaZulu Natal South Africa. The land is blessed with abundant spring water, rivers, wattle for building and firewood, arable land, clay for building, temperate climate and betweeen a vibrant locally-focused area called the Dargle where neighbors grow and exchange home-made products and also Impendle--a culturally-rich Zulu community.

We are in the process of re-visioning and co-creating our community which was formed in 2004. There are currently a few permanent members and a few people renting space on the land. There are many opportunities to make businesses on the land such as agricultural (ie berry farm, aquaculture) or teaching & transformational work (ie camps and workshops).

Individuals and families are welcome to experience this community by coming to stay for a while while doing work-exchange. Room & board in exchange for 6 hours work/day. We are re-developing our constitution and welcoming policies.

Website: www.rainbowcommons.co.nr

Contact:

Samantha Rose
P.O. Box 98
Howick, 3265 South Africa
Phone: +27835994792

Links:

Rainbow Sustainability Commons: The Rainbow Homestead & Sustainability Commons @Zuvuya

International Telephone Info

View Map of Locations
for this Community

Former/Other Names: Zuvuya

This page last updated:12/2/2012

Visitors Accepted

Visitor Process: The Rainbow Sustainability Commons is a non-profit organisation that teachers sustainable living and permaculture. We are crowd-funding our projects (organic gardens, tree planting, adding more appropriate technology) at the Commons so visitors become part of the financial sustainability of the Commons by being here. In turn, we offer skills & knowledge in permaculture to all visitors. 50% of the daily donation goes to the organisation with the other 50% covering accommodation in the yurt and 3 meals/day. First week of visiting is R100/day, second week is R75/day. Visitors also contribute 4 hours of help at the Commons--permaculture work. Visiting for one day falls into the 1st week donation amount.

Network Affiliations:

GEN - Global Ecovillage Network

Statement of Housing Non-discrimination:

Our community does not discriminate in regards to housing based on race/color, national origin, religion, sex/gender, family status (i.e. having children, not having children, or being pregnant), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, ancestry, source of income, age, creed, personal appearance, political affiliation, HIV infection, military/veteran status, unfavorable military discharge, gender identity or expression, receiving public assistance, or being the victim of domestic abuse.

Population Members(adults and children): 11 (6 adults 5 children) Non-member Residents: 5 (full-time staff & renters) Open to new members: Yes	Government Decision Making: By consensus (The land is owned by one woman who makes decisions about the land but we hope the land will be put into a trust to land & community matters can be more consensus-based.) Identified Leader: Yes (The Rainbow Commons is managed by Samantha Rose & her partner and the land of Zuvuya is owned by Jill but we hope to have a more shared leadership as we re-create our community) Leadership Core Group: Yes (Those who have lived on the land for the last 6 years are a core group)	Labor and Money Financial Style: Members have independent finances (We hope to have some cooperative businesses on the land) Labor Contribution: (Not at this point unless it's work-exchange of 6 hrs/day for room & board) Join Fee: No Answer (There was a fee for) Regular Fees: Yes (R200/month for community funds)
Land and Buildings Rural Area: 1000 acres (404.7 hectares) (Much of the land is natural (mountain, etc)) Land Owned By: Individual community member(s) (We really hope that the land-owner puts the land into a trust--she is looking into it at the moment) Number of Residences: 7 (Some are pre-existing, some built by members) Cohousing: No	Food, etc. Percentage of Food Grown: 6-20% (Our personal food gardens) Share Community Meals: 1-3 times/month (We would like to get-together more regularly.) Dietary Choice or Restrictions: Diet is up to each individual (Mostly people are vegetarian) Dietary Practice: Primarily vegetarian Alcohol Use: Seldom used (We do not promote alcohol but a bottle of wine is sometimes served with a meal) Tobacco Use: Seldom used (People are to smoke away from common areas)	Social Factors Common Spiritual Practices: Yes (We enjoy sharing our personal spirituality together but nothing dogmatic) Which Spiritual Traditions(s): Native American :: Buddhist :: Paganism/Earth Religions :: Unitarian Universalist :: Ecumenical (includes "all religions") :: Eclectic (integrates pieces from many religions) (Spirituality is up to the individual but we enjoy sharing our own spiritual practices with each other) Educational Style(s): Home schooling (We would like a teacher to join us!)

Become an Editor Current editor(s): Zuvuya

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