iThemba Community Projects

Perspective

Mpumuza, located near to Pietermaritzburg, is home to 50,000–60,000 people - largely youth and
children. One of the biggest problems facing the people in Sweetwaters/Mpumuza is the lack of
employment and many residents do not have the education or skills required for those jobs that are
available. Thousands of orphans are cared for by relatives, neighbours and child-headed households.

iTHEMBA – evolving solutions

A concerned group from neighbouring Hilton met to discuss what could be done to help uplift these
disadvantaged neighbours. A group of women began to teach beading and sewing skills to equip
women with a means to earning an income. In 2004 50 children attended the first iThemba Kids
Camp. In 2005 a feeding scheme and a kids’ club were started. The first iThemba staff member was
employed in 2006 and the iThemba Trust was formed in 2007. The local chief was so impressed with
iThemba’s work that he donated ground for a permanent base, zoned for a preschool. In 2009 a full-
time director was appointed to grow the work.

From these beginnings, iThemba has grown to be a vital resource, walking together and growing
together with the community. In 2024 iThemba was involved in:

• Nutrition, through 37 school gardens, 446 home gardens, and 20 community influencers. iThemba is seeing kids eating more nutritious vegetables (straight from the gardens), and less stunting. More younger people are showing an interest in gardening, and community influencers are inspiring their neighbours, igniting change.
• Early childhood development (ECD) mentoring, in 579 homes, 114 parent-children playgroups, and 23 preschools. Good nutrition, early stimulation and loving relationships start children on a road to success. The ECD team sees many families move from scepticism about the need to develop their children, to the moment when the results start speaking for themselves and playing and reading become part of the family culture.
• Youth mentoring of 6000+ kids and teens, with 15 life groups, 28 life skills classes, 8 school assemblies, and 45 Kids’ Crew volunteers. The life skills classes cover topics from gender roles to substance abuse. Teachers say learners seem to understand these topics better when iThemba mentors present them, because they understand so well what life in the community is all about. iThemba also runs youth camps.

In addition:

Local people are involved in construction projects for the community, and learn new skills.

‘Year of Your Life Volunteers’ work for iThemba on the youth mentoring, ECD and nutrition teams. They inspire
their younger friends to follow in their footsteps and also give back to the community. Personally
and spiritually, they’re also learning and growing - more than they could have imagined.