Sunday, 09 June 2024, 15:00–19:00 Please book by Sunday 02 June 2024
Adults £17; Children 12 and under £7; Family of 4 £37
To book email: contact@thembisatrust.org Pay through our CAF campaign page QR code

or Fundraising for MNCP

Over the years volunteers have faithfully visited Sweetwaters, an impoverished area near Pietermaritzburg. They have provided food parcels and other necessities such as warm clothing, primarily to grannies who look after orphaned children. Self-help through vegetable growing or sewing projects is encouraged where possible. This project now falls formally under African Enterprise. A visit on Madiba Day (18 July) 2023 included a distribution of food parcels as well as a church service and was much appreciated.

Eluxolweni (meaning ‘a place of safety and forgiveness’) in Grahamstown provides a home for neglected and vulnerable boys from all parts of the Eastern Cape. Currently, 20 boys aged 6–18 years of age are being cared for. The approach is holistic and the boys participate in a range of activities, with the help of many volunteers. Education is a corner stone of the Shelter’s work and school attendance is compulsory. One of Eluxolweni’s boys was recently appointed head boy at Fikizolo Primary School! Thembisa has recently provided a grant to Eluxolweni to replace the old worn and damaged flooring in the boys’ rooms.

We have our own online shop selling South African crafts and unique cards.

Take a look here.

Thank you so much to all who attended or gave donations towards our fund-raising barbecue on 21 May 2023. The weather was kind, the food was excellent, and information on MNCP was provided by a display and a very informative video. Together with donations we raised more than £2500, which has been sent to MNCP.

Please join us at our BRAAI (BBQ) on Sunday 21 May 2023
Proceeds to Mama Ntombi's Community Projects
Time: 3:00pm - 7:00pm
Cost: Adults £17; Children 12 and under £7; Family of 4 £37
Includes food, drink and one ticket for a prize draw open only to attendees on the day.
Where: Ferndale, Aldbury View, Tiddington, OX9 2LQ

Please book and pay by Sunday 14 May
Email: contact@thembisatrust.org or
Phone: 07814 804804

Please supply your contact details, number of attendees and special dietary needs.
If your plans change please let us know!

Save the date for our 2023 garden party / braai!

During the pandemic it was not possible to hold a garden party/barbecue at Ferndale. But we are planning to celebrate once again on 21 May 2023 for Thembisa’s 35th birthday. Details will be sent nearer the time but meanwhile, add the date to your diary!

A laptop for MNCP from Computers4Charity

Computers4Charity (motto: Caring for Climate and Community) expertly wipe and refurbish donated laptops, then give them to worthwhile causes. We were very grateful to receive a laptop from Computers4Charity earlier this year. It was delivered to MNCP, where social worker Solomon will be the first to benefit from using it. In time, MNCP’s dream is to help many children achieve computer literacy. You can watch a video of Grace Townshend speaking to Computers4Charity about MNCP at https://www.computers4charity.org/computer-donations/the-thembisa-trust.

The Thembisa Trust gives thanks for the life of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and are especially grateful for his support as our Patron since 1999. We offer our sincere condolences to his wife Leah, his family and all who were close to him.

‘The Arch', an outspoken prophet of God's love and compassion for every person, was present throughout South Africa’s recent history, courageously opposing apartheid while insisting that the struggle should be non-violent. For this he was awarded the Nobel Peace prize in 1984. He went on to Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission from 1996-98. Never afraid to speak up for what is right, more recently he challenged corruption in the ruling classes in South Africa. He was truly one of the great moral voices of our time. And yet he was also characterised by a great sense of humour, laughter and joyfulness. 

Archbishop Tutu was born in 1931 in Klerksdorp. His father was a primary school head, his mother a domestic worker. He grew up in poor townships, suffering polio and TB. He wanted to be a doctor but, lacking the fees, became a teacher and married Leah, a fellow teacher. Almost immediately, 'Bantu education' was introduced and they both resigned. Desmond then entered theological college. Taught by the Anglican monks of the Community of the Resurrection, he became a 'contemplative in action'. Ordained priest in 1961, he went on to King's College, London for a BA and Master's, taught in South Africa, worked in London for the World Council of Churches, became Dean of Johannesburg in 1975, Bishop of Lesotho 1976-78, Secretary General of the SA Council of Churches 1978-85, Bishop of Johannesburg 1985-86, and Archbishop pf Cape Town 1986-95.

Thembisa launched a special appeal to help African Enterprise (AE) get food to people in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, in the aftermath of the looting and violence in South Africa from 9–17 July. Thousands lost their livelihoods and possessions.

Our campaign raised £1750 – thank you to those who donated.

The first phase of the relief effort – emergency food – is now completed, and the next two – trauma and spiritual care, and community upliftment (e.g. training in sustainable farming and entrepreneurship) are ongoing.

Braai/garden party cancelled

We had hoped to hold our annual braai/garden party but due to Covid-19 uncertainties and logistical issues we have decided to postpone it until summer 2022. The garden party is our main event of the year, enabling us to meet some of you and to raise money for a project. We are sad that we won’t be able to get together this year. Please consider sending a donation so that we can continue to support our projects in South Africa at this time of ongoing great need.

Donations can be made via the Donate button or by cheque to The Thembisa Trust, 34 Trinity Road, Oxford OX38LQ. We are so grateful for your ongoing support.

Emergency food appeal for KwaZulu-Natal

Thembisa is making a special appeal to help African Enterprise (AE) get food to people in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, who through no fault of their own are facing starvation. The looting and violence that occurred from 9-17 July in the wake of Jacob Zuma’s imprisonment has had shocking consequences. In KwaZulu-Natal alone, 100 shopping malls were destroyed by fire, damage of R20 billion occurred, and 150,000 jobs are at risk.
Please donate what you can today, using any of the Donate buttons on our website.
100% of your donation will go directly to African Enterprise. 
Money Raised in August 2021 £872

Emergency food parcels are urgently needed for the hundreds of poverty-stricken families already suffering due to the economic fallout from Covid, and now have no prospects of getting food due to the looting and loss of income. AE has already swung into action distributing emergency food parcels, but they need our support.

Please donate what you can today, using any of the Donate buttons on our website. 100% of your donation will go directly to African Enterprise.

For a first-hand account from two Durban residents, watch https://youtu.be/53eKG_76_T8. The video ends positively, showing how South Africans of all races rallied to help each other guard premises and clean up the mess.