Pure Touch enables women to support their families in a sustainable and life-giving way. We journey and partner with women of the Ocean View community, Cape Town.

Ocean View is located approximately 45 minutes outside Cape Town, close to the little village of Kommetjie on the hillside with a beautiful view of the ocean. It was formed in the late 1960’s during the Apartheid regime, when all coloured people were forcefully removed from their homes in the ‘white communities’ of Simon’s Town, Fish Hoek and Noordhoek to live in this settlement. Today some 40’000 people live in Ocean View, many of whom face the challenges of unemployment, widespread drug and alcohol abuse, gang related crime and violence as well as prostitution.

“Hi, I’m Anthea. As the oldest of 7 children, I was born and grew up in Simonstown until I was 7, when we moved to Ocean View. My mom was a single parent, working very hard to care for the family. When she died of cancer at the age of 53, I took care of my 3 younger brothers. It taught me to be brave. I know what it means to loose someone close to you, having lost three siblings and my mom.

At the age of 26 I met God who made my life much easier and healed me from past experiences.

At the beginning of May 2022, I joined Pure Touch. For me, it is a place where I can offload, have fun, relax, enjoy company and be serious. What I enjoy most is to make thins and see the end result. I love to earn new products and new knitting techniques. Pure Touch has given me a sense of belonging.

“Hi, I’m Maggie. I am a mother of two daughters and a son, all living with me as well as my grandchildren. My husband passed away a few years ago. I grew up in Heathfield and moved to Ocean View as a teenager. I had two brothers and still have my 4 sisters, two of whom are also in the team of Pure Touch. As the oldest, I looked after all of us siblings when I was 8, learning how to cook, clean and change nappies.

I didn’t learn how to crochet and knit from my mom. Back then, school still taught us this skill, but us kids, we also taught each other, using long nails as knitting needles. I was 7 then.

I used to be a daycare mother and work in a factory. Now I am a pensioner and joined Pure Touch in April 2021. I really enjoy getting out of the house, coming together, laughing and learning.

“Hi, I’m Annelie. I was born in Grabouw where I lived with my two sisters (I am the middle one) and my parents until I was 6. My parents divorced and my older sister and me came to live with a foster family. Things there did not really go well. When I was in 4th grade I dropped out of school because I always failed, especially in maths. My aunt fought for us two to go back to my mom which we did. I am not sure how old I was. Now I live in the mountains behind Ocean View. I like it there.

I have worked as a babysitter and in a sheltered employment center where I learned how to knit and crochet. In my early 30’s I became a mother of a son. I am sad to say that he now has to go through the same as I went through because he lives in a foster family. 

I joined Pure Touch on a regular basis in March 2023. I like coming to our meetings, learning, earning some money and the nice company.

“Hi, I’m Katie, mother of one daughter and a son, and grandmother of 4. My children and my grandchildren live with me in Ocean View. I moved to Ocean View from Retreat when I was 9 years old, when there were no tarred roads, just sand, bush and a few houses. The bread truck and the milkman used to come by regularly. I got married late, in my 40s, for only a very short time. I like living in Ocean View – it’s what you make of it!

Before I became a pensioner, I was a carer for 15 years, only night shift, and still visit a 93-year-old lady every second weekend. I love to walk, hike, be outdoors, do gym, walk the blisters for bread, and of course, knit and crochet. This I was taught by a guy when I was 12 years old!

When my 2 sisters joined Pure Touch, I got very curious, even a bit jealous, as it sounded like a lot of fun. Not long after, when work picked up, I could also join, and am so happy to be part of the team. It allows me to meet new people, keep busy, laugh, and get encouraged, and it puts food on the table.”

“Hi, my name is Sylvia. I have lived my whole life in Ocean View. I’m married and have two grown-up sons.

I love people. I love to meet new people, get to know them and care for them. I grew up with a caring mom that always had time for others and I can see that has been passed down to me. That’s one of the reasons I enjoy being part of pure touch.

Life has not always been easy, but I am so thankful to God for His faithfulness and I want to share His goodness and encouragement with others. And I see being a part of pure touch is doing me good as well!

“Hi, my name is Hazel. I have lived my whole life in Ocean View. I have 3 grown sons and 3 grandkids.

Although knitting is in my blood, sewing is my passion. I started learning to sew as a 15-year old, when I got a job at a factory. Since then, I have grown in my skills. I haven’t had the easiest life, but God has seen me through and I am so grateful He led me to pure touch. As long as I have my pure touch family, I don’t worry about anything.

Now I enjoy sitting on the balcony and watching life go by as I knit my things. I feel honoured to be a part of pure touch!

“Hi, my name is Levona. I grew up in Ocean View and I have 4 kids aged 11-21. I love my community and would like to give something back. One way for me to do this is to be creative and to encourage others to dare to step out in creativity.

Knitting was the normal thing to do in my family when growing up. My moma and sister taught me how to knit and crochet. I enjoy doing something useful and needed with my hands; whether that’s knitting, sewing or baking.”

“Hi, my name is Zainu. I am a widow for 4 years now. I live in Ocean View with my 3 kids and my mom.

The years after my husband passed have been difficult – he was a good man and we had a good life together. I used to work at Woolworths for many years. Knitting has always been part of our family, and although I enjoy knitting, baking and cooking, people are my passion. I want to see them having a good life.

What I like about Pure Touch is the connection in our sisterhood and… I am rediscovering my lost touch.”