Roger Arendse  has always had a passion for change and transformation! Growing up in Cape Town since the late 1950s, he has experienced first-hand the de-humanisation, degradation and despair of his oppressed and marginalised communities during the years of grand apartheid. At age 13 he was introduced to the Black Consciousness movement of Steve Biko through his Wesley Guild in the Methodist Church. This was a catalyst that shaped and ignited his social activism from the 1970s to 1990s. 

Roger was a leader and activist in several church and community organisations and a trainer and leader in a non-violent direct action group who participated in several anti-apartheid actions around Cape Town in the 1980s. Between 1987 and mid-1988 he was given the portfolio of community projects coordinator in his local church. Among his responsibilities was forging cross-cultural friendships between citizens in the southern suburbs and outlying black communities. They set up community-based projects (e.g. sewing, nutrition, education and building of houses) to grow employment opportunities and enhance human dignity and well-being for those they forged relationships with. 

Roger was a Union Organiser for the UCT Academics Association (1999-2009) where he collaborated with other staff unions, and supported staff in a range of labour and employment related matters.

Roger shares that he can contribute the following services to the communities in Cape Town at this time.

• I am a qualified and professional Leadership and Life coach who has both passion and skills to support human and career development across all ages. 
• My background in Education (high school teacher, university researcher, lecturer, and union organiser) from 1980 – 2009 allows me to bring insights and competencies into the learning, labour and development spaces.
• I am a trained facilitator-coach in Transformational Dialogue, and able to facilitate processes for courageous community engagements and systemic change. The outcome of these processes is accountable actions.
• I am a person of strong faith and a social activist at heart, with a deep calling to support holistic and meaningful personal and community transformation.

“I am very privileged and honoured to be one of the nominated Candidates in Cape Town for the Credible Alternative 1st Movement.” Roger Arendse