About Us
Uvemvane Lwe-Afrika (loosely translated as 'The Afrikan Butterfly') is a young people founded and driven initiative located in Molweni, a village in The Valley of 1000 Hills.
Founded in 2020, full operation was unfortunately challenged due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This however allowed a chance for a proper research and engagement with the community to understand their needs.
Mission and Vision
Our mission is to work hand in hand with the community in breeding a generation of intentional leadership and career development for young people in the community of Molweni and other underdeveloped areas around the Pinetown District.
While the Molweni and the Pinetown District are our areas of priority and starting point due to our location, we do however envision ourselves spreading out to a greater part of KwaZulu Natal and South Africa as a whole.
Services
Enhancing Education
- Partnering with local early childhood development centres, primary and secondary schools in assisting them to access resources to aid them in creating safer and conducive places of learning. - Attracting young people into the ECD field and to equip early childhood practitioners with training on creating environments that stimulate holistic learning through play and nature. - Assissting high school learners with career planning and exposing them to scarce skills that are required by the local and global economy. This is being done by career expos and assisting Grade 9s with subject choice selections and Grade 12s with accessing institutions of higher education (Universities, Universities of Technology and TVET colleges). - Developing relationships and scholar exchange program with other schools which shall allow children from previously disadvantaged schools to get exposure. - Homework and reading clubs with a Toy Library to allow children to play and loan out books and toys.
Development of Sports & Arts
- Coordinating and coaching of different sporting codes such as football, netball, basketball and hockey. We currently have a netball and football team with the latter being affiliated under the SAFA Greater Hillcrest Football Association. - Formation and coaching of chess teams. - Formation, training and encouraging self-expression through performing arts such as drama, music, dance and poetry.
Life Skills Development
- Team building camps and boot camps for teenagers and young adults - Young boy’s mentorship program to create safe spaces for boys to speak and creating environments with positive role models that will nurture them into being men of virtue who uphold the values and principles of the community. - Prefect and RCL leadership training for the local primary and secondary schools whilst also providing continuous support.
Provision of Quality Vocational Skills Education & Training
Offering of informal short career and business development training and we are working towards the gradual introduction of formal vocational education and training learnerships with an outcome of accredited SETA and QCTO accreditation. Our current courses include basic computer training for children from Grade R up to Grade 12 and we also offer ICDL training for the community.
Establishment and Support of Environmental Clubs & Agricultural Business
- This is a fun school based environmental club program that teaches and encourages children to take care of nature by being actively involved in waste management and cleaning up clean up campaigns. - The "One Home, One Garden" food security program that trains and assists families on establishing their own food gardens. - Agricultural training and formation of farming co-ops.
Access to Social Welfare, Awareness on Child Protection & Gender-Based Violence and Empowering Youth Living with Disabilities
- Working as a liaison between the community and Department of Social Development. Advocating for the protection of the rights of children. - Empowering people living with disabilities. - Creating awareness on gender-based violence.
Team
Luyanda Sikhakhane
Operations & Communications Manager and Education Officer
An early childhood and youth development practitioner with passion and a wealth of experience in community development work, Luyanda has been a pillar in the founding of Uvemvane Lwe-Afrika. An ETDP SETA accredited facilitator,she is also currently studying towards her third qualification which is a degree in Community Development covering business management, research, communication and development studies which comes as a great benefit to the organisation.
Siyabonga Kubheka
Head of Vocational Skills, Computer Trainer & IT Support
A co-founding member, Siyabonga comes from a rich computer training background. He has established and set up computer training sites for primary and secondary schools. Siyabonga heads the vocational skills department and is also our computer skills training expert with courses ranging from basic introductory computer skills to ICDL training. As a trained IT technician, Siyabonga is a great asset to the organisation as he also maintains all IT related work.
Thandeka Ndlovu
Advocate for People Living with Disabilities and Social Development Officer
Thandeka is an intelligent, young activist for people living with disabilities. Living with a disability herself, she has experienced almost every challenge from stigma to access but has worked very hard in educating those around her that a physical disability does not stop you from reaching your goals. She is also an advocate for women and those who are vulnerable in the community. She has graduated from an HIV & Aids, Gender-Based Violence and teenage pregnancy programme and is currently studying towards her qualification in Entreprenuership.
Xolisile Shangase
Early Childhood Development Coordinator
An almost literal definition of "dynamites come in small packages", Xolisile is the fountain of knowledge when it comes to early childhood development. Young, energetic and adventurous, Xolisile ticks all the boxes to match the required energy of a 5-year-old. With her experience and qualification in early childhood development and current studies towards her National Diploma in Grade R teaching, she is our pillar in coordinating all our ECD programs.
Sinethemba Zondi
Youth Development - Environmental Clubs and Agribusiness Coordinator
A graduate of the joint initiative by the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Reform and the Agricultural Research Council in agricultural business skills training, Sinethemba comes with the much-needed basic training skills to assist families in establishing their small gardens and forming farming co-ops for generating income. She is also the head of environmental clubs in schools and also coordinates waste management and cleaning campaigns in the community.
Philile Khanyile
Youth Development - Performing Arts Coordinator
A choreographer and multi-talented performer, Philile is a bubble of energy who imparts her positivity to everyone around her. She has the ability to inspire confidence and motivate young people to look beyond the challenges they are facing through song and dance. Philile currently runs dance classes and is a first year BA Communications Science student.
Siyanda Tah Mzimela
Youth Development - Life Skills & Sports Coordinator
Siyanda has served the community of Molweni for years specialising in youth development through sports and life skills. He facilitates life skills and also coaches our football teams while also coordinating the overall sporting activities at Uvemvane Lwe-Afrika.
Join us
Please Donate To Us
Our work is dependent on your donations🤗
Whether in monetary form, toys, books, a meal, some love or sporting equipment...we always appreciate any contribution🤗 Please contact us on uvemvanecommunity@gmail.com or +27 67 871 0100 for our full banking Details
