Cape Town - The incredible work that the NPO Uthando SA has done for communities throughout Cape Town is incredibly inspiring and heart-warming.
It would not be possible without Uthando’s founding director, James Fernie, who started in 2008, and his teammate and philanthropic guide, Xolani Maseko, who joined the team in 2012.
Together, they have done work in communities such as Hanover Park, Delft, Gugulethu, Khayelitsha and Heideveld and many others alike, through upliftment projects aimed at improving livelihoods and giving opportunities to young children through schools, educare centres and extra-curricular activities.
These communities are riddled with social difficulties such as gang violence and substance abuse, so when there is an opportunity to help, the impact is often felt on an even bigger scale.
“Uthando is drawing on an extensive network of cherished partnerships in tourism and community development, with the ultimate goal of linking these two sectors by a myriad innovative, sincere and meaningful ways.
“It’s about giving with love. Creating hope and faith. Hope for a better future, faith in humanity,” James Fernie said.
Some of Uthando’s projects include working with Avril Andrews, who started the Alcardo Andrews Foundation in Hanover Park that helps mothers who have lost children to gang violence.
The Ulwazi Educare Centre in Delft, which schools children aged 2-6, and is currently building classrooms completely out of tyres and the Masibulele Educare centre in Khayelitsha that received a big makeover in the form of a brand new school building.
There are a host of extra-curricular programmes too. The Isibane Se Afrika gospel choir in Khayelitsha was started by Andisiwe Mbuje as a platform where the people of her community could express themselves.
The Zama Dance School in Gugulethu encourages young children to express themselves through ballet and dance and is another project backed by Uthando donations.
“Lots of schools don’t do extra-murals and that’s where the NPOs come in to help give children an opportunity to stay busy and do things,” James said.
Uthando will continue to inspire and use their platform for social change through the many more projects and outreaches lined up.
More details about Uthando’s work and in-depth detail about the various community projects can be found on their website https://www.uthandosa.org/.
matthew.petersen@inl.co.za