Lelethu [It's Ours]
Ubunye's Vision for 2021-2025
Where Communities Lead
in pursuing Sustainable Development that builds Resilience to Climate Change
Communities Lead
Community members co-lead every stage of Ubunye’s work – from planning to evaluation. They do this through the Community Advisory Board and Programme Working Groups, working alongside Ubunye staff to guide priorities and shape solutions.
Sustainable Development
Ubunye’s programmes align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring long-term impact on rural life. Each initiative is evaluated using SDG indicators, connecting local action to a global movement.
Resilience to Climate Change
Climate resilience is woven through every programme. Whether supporting green businesses, educating youth about the environment, or promoting healthy lifestyles, Ubunye helps communities act on climate and protect their future.
Where We Work
Ubunye partners with rural communities in Ngqushwa and Makana Municipalities in South Africa’s Eastern Cape.
Since 2002, we’ve supported women-led childcare initiatives in Ndwayana and grown into a partnership spanning 5 wards, 45+ ECD centres, 80+ savings groups, and 5 health clinics. We also work in Fort Brown village in the Makana Municipality.
Programme Focus Areas
'Leaky Bucket' Financial planning tool
Sinako – Savings & Livelihoods
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12.7% of Eastern Cape residents live in poverty (StatsSA 2019)
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Youth unemployment in Ngqushwa is 64.1% (StatsSA 2016)
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90% of households earn less than R1,600/month (IRR 2016)
Sinako supports economic resilience through savings groups and enterprise development.
Isisekhelo – Education for Life
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Only 59% of children reach Grade 9; 26.7% reach matric
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Over 126,000 children under 5 have no access to ECD (DSD 2018)
Isisekhelo focuses on early childhood education and supporting youth through critical school years.
Glenmore Educare Centre learners
Land close to Ndwayana village
Sinako – Green Business
Ngqushwa has faced a five-year drought, depleting grazing land and water. With farming now near impossible, many migrate to cities – leaving behind children and the elderly. Our green business initiatives aim to create sustainable livelihoods and regenerate land.
Masiphile – Health & Wellness
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13.5% of South Africans live with HIV; 61% are on treatment
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TB remains the leading cause of death; 80% of the population is infected
Ubunye works to improve health education, support treatment adherence, and empower communities to lead wellness initiatives.
Field Officer Luleka Kondlo and community member, Nomfuso Mashini presenting Ubunye's Health Programme at the Durban AIDS Conference
Our People – The Ubunye Tree
The Tree of Ubunye reflects the heart of our organisation: its people. Each branch represents a programme, with team members growing, nurturing, and strengthening the communities we serve.
Isisekelo
(Education for Life)
Masiphile
(Health & Wellness)
Lumka Gedze
Community Facilitator
“I'm Lumka Gedze from Wesley Location, Peddie. I passed my matric in 2006 at Matomela Senior Secondary School. I'm vibrant, curious to learn new things and I'm working for Ubunye for being a light to our communities who are growing to their businesses to become worthy for the future.”
Lime Badu
Training Coordinator
“My name is Lime Badu. I am the Training Coordinator. I'm passionate about
youth, getting to understand how they do things and being able to have impact
in their lives through Life Skills training.”
Bulelwa Ganca
Program Manager & Health Program Coordinator
“I'm Bulelwa Ganca, a Program Manager and a Health Program Coordinator at Ubunye Foundation. I started working for Ubunye Foundation in 2007, my passion is in community development.”
Sinako
Asiphe Madoli
Community Facilitator
“I am a Community Facilitator in the Sinako team. I love working for Ubunye Foundation because it brings opportunities, light, and hope to our villages.”
Thozama Mabe
PWG member
“I'm Thozama Mabe from Hlosini. I passed my matric in at Zimlindile high. I became a fashion designer. I became a PWG member because i love planting vegetables very much.”
Nothengeni Miriam Nkune
PWG member
“I'm Nothengeni Miriam Nkune from Ndlovini. Former student at Moyakhe.
I became a PWG member because I promise to work with my team pushing ‘one vision, one goal’.”
Ntombekhaya Gonise
PWG member
“Hello, I'm Ntombekhaya Gonise, residing in Gwalana location. I pursued my higher education at Njokweni and acquired specialized training in sewing. As a dedicated community servant and entrepreneur, selling clothing to locals, I'm honored to have been elected as a member of PWG, where I can further contribute to the community's growth and development.”
Andiswa Rodolo
PWG member
“I'm Andiswa Rodolo - a proud resident of Maxhegweni - with a passion for sewing and community empowerment. I'm thrilled to be part of the PWG team, where I can leverage my skills to drive innovative community development and contribute to meaningful progress.”
Lindiswa Ntlokwana
Assistant Programme Coordinator
“I am Lindiswa Ntlokwana from New Creation, Peddie. After completing my matric, I ventured into entrepreneurship, starting my own small business. Now, I'm proud to work for Ubunye Foundation, driven by a passion to empower rural communities and provide them with constructive support, inspired by my own roots and experiences.”
Nomaphelo Hoyi
PWG member
“I am Nomaphelo Hoyi, I live in Glenmore location. I enjoy drawing, interested in sewing and staying up to date with the latest development in Primary industry. I joined PWG as I wanted to persue my sewing goal.”
Ntombizodwa Kama
PWG member
“My name is Ntombizodwa Kama and I am from Ndlambe Village in Peddie. I am a PWG member for Sinako because I was trained how to run a business and I am now a small business owner.”
Fort Brown
Olwethu Mkalipi
ECD practitioner
“My Name is Olwethu Mkalipi, I was born and grew up in Makhanda). I went to Ntaba Maria Primary School and further went to Nombulelo Senior Secondary School, then chased different opportunities as being a Sales consultant, ECD volunteer, housekeeper etc. I chose working for Ubunye Foundation because it shares the same goals - of achieving a better, friendlier environment and brighter future for kids and adults.”
Thuliwa
Cook
I am Thuliwa. I grew up in Fort Brown Farm and went to school at Fort Brown. I work at Fort Brown, planting vegetables in a huge garden, and now I'm the cook at the preschool for children. I cook for 13 children everyday & make sure veg is always in the planters. I like my work.
Mzo Kleinbooi
PWG member
“I’m Mzo Kleinbooi from Fort Brown farm. I love Environmental Education. I’m working for Ubunye because the organisation is helping communities for skills development.”
Nomatamsanqa Dimaza
ECD practitioner
“My name is Nomatamsanqa Dimaza I grew up in Makhanda. I went to Samuel Ntlebi Primary School and futher went to Ntsika Secondary School, I was a cleaner and then ECD practitioner. I chose working for Ubunye Foundation to help the children to grow, play and learn, nurturing them as if they are my own.”
Vukile Yawa
PWG member
“I am Vukile Yawa. I was born here at Fort Brown. I like work, I like to read. Ubunye is a company that is working close to the people.”
Tamara Maqoko
PWG member
“I am Tamara Maqoko.
I'm living at Fort Brown. I am an easy person, I like to talk with people and tell jokes sometimes. I joined Ubunye Foundation because I have a passion that Ubunye can do whatever I wish for my community to have.”
Nomonde Mdoko
School Governing Board member
“I am Nomonde, a parent who became a meal server at Fort Brown Primary School. Now that Ubunye is working with us it’s doing great things like providing children with fruit everyday in after-school class and doing sport for children on weekends - trying to take them away from doing the wrong things.”
Nomthandazo Mboyi
PWG member
“I am Nomthandazo Mboyi. I am living on Fort Brown Farm. I am an easy person, I like to talk jokes, I like Ubunye Foundation. I needed afternoon classes so I joined Ubunye Foundation.”
Phumla Mani
Fort Brown School, School Governing Board member.
“I am Phumla Mani. I grew up at Fort Brown and started school there. I became SGB member at Fort Brown Primary school. Ubunye works very hard to help our children with homework by doing after-school classes.”
Uthando
Yendella
Nondumiso Qamba
PWG member
“My name is Nondumiso Qamba, a member of Yendella's PWG. I've joined PWG because I'm working at Dragon fruit project, working for Buffalo Kloof helping Yendella to grow. Hoping that the fruit will have a big impact in Yendella community.”
Zithobele Ncanywa
PWG member
“I'm Zithobele Ncanywa, a PWG member at Yendella. I joined PWG because I'm one of the Boar Goats Project members, I joined PWG because I wanted to make Yendella a better community.”
(Savings & Livelihoods)
Board of Trustees
Management
Finance Manager
I am the Finance Officer for Ubunye. Originally from JHB, I have a finance management and accounting background. My family of 5 moved here in 2015 & bought a piece of land to practice permaculture & live sustainably. After moving here, I was asked to assist Ubunye in the temporary role of a Finance Officer. A year later I was recruited permanently and enjoy the role I play in community education, health and sustainability with the most wonderful team led by Katy Pepper, who encourages personal and social growth. I am forever grateful to be part of the Foundation and look forward to many more years of participation and growth.
Administration Staff
Coming Soon!
Coming Soon!
Coming Soon!
Kholiswa Priscilla Javu
PWG Member
“My name is Kholiswa Priscilla Javu. I'm living at Fort Brown. I like to stay with lot of people and share jokes - I like to talk. I joined Ubunye because it gives us a lot of opportunities & helps our youth by trainings to help them to get the jobs ”
Bongiwe Dama
PWG Member
“My name is Bongiwe Dama. I living at Fort Brown. I like to smile. I like peace when I'm around with my peers. I joined Ubunye because I wanted to see progress in my community, especially the youth, also we want the Center for our children to get better things - like reading and activities”
Azola Siyolo
PWG Member
“I’m Azola Siyolo from Tuba location at Peddie and an official member of PWG (Ubomi bethu). The most interesting things about PWG - it’s really helpful to needy and struggling learners - we as PWG sponsor them with calculators & textbooks - as you know it’s rare for schools to have enough textbooks.”
Busisiwe Rwexwana
PWG Member
“I’m Busisiwe Rwexwana from Peddie at Lower Qeto Location. I was studying at Emfundweni High School & after that I met the Ubunye Foundation. I then became a member of PWG - I learnt a lot about many things & I am interested in getting more info from this program.”
Azola Nonqulo
HIV Ambassador Leader
“My name is Azola Nonqulo. I am 21 years old & was born & raised in Glenmore location. I am a Youth HIV Ambassador Leader (YHAL) at Qhayiya Senior Secondary School in Glenmore location at Peddie. I am a member of Ubomi Bethu PWG. It’s very exciting to be a PWG member because it’s given me an opportunity to learn more about the challenges of teenagers in other communities that are around my village.”
Phumla Gola
Field Officer
“Hi, I am Phumla Gola from Glenmore Location, a Field Officer of Ubomi Bethu Programme. It has been a wonderful & fruitful experience working with young girls from schools - empowering and encouraging them to better themselves, providing sessions from stepping stone that guides them from their teenage stages, making right decisions for their lives.”
Sivenathi Mantla
PWG Member
“I’m Sivenathi Mantla. I'm 25 years old from Glenmore location. I'm a PWG Member from Ubunye. I was also a Committee Member of Youth. it is good to be a PWG member because we get more information and experience, and the information we get is how to work with people”
Katy Pepper
Director
“I’m Katy Pepper. I’m from the UK, but I came to live in South Africa in 2003. I love my job, mainly because every day I learn something new from all the staff and community members. I so much enjoy working with Ubunye members to reach for community leadership of the organisation. We are getting there!”