Ed’s not: This article was written by Andrew Whitfield.
This amazing South African has established, with the help of his friend and colleague Jacob Lief, a truly powerful organization. It is powerful because it is empowering young South Africans to rise up beyond the circumstances into which they were born. It is developing human capital for a better, brighter future.
In 1999 Banks, a school teacher, and Jacob, an American student, met in a shebeen and struck up an unlikely friendship. A few months later Jacob returned to Zwide with $7000 and Ubuntu Ecucation Fund was born. Today Ubuntu is still in Zwide thanks to the strong relationship between Banks and Jacob, and continues to change the course of countless lives.
Ubuntu Education Fund is focused on improving the lives of HIV infected and affected children in Zwide Township by educating them and providing them with the support they need to shed the shackles of their past and present. By providing psycho-social support and sponsoring their education, Ubuntu is giving these children a chance they would never have had. Their children are attending some of the country’s top private schools in St Andrews College and DSG, and going on to UCT and Rhodes University where they are exposed to a world beyond their wildest dreams. Education is the keystone of this project. “We measure success in realistic terms” says Jordan Levy of Ubuntu. Degrees and jobs are important outcomes for Ubuntu, and they work hard at ensuring that their children have access to opportunities.
While fundraising is a crucial factor in any enterprise of this kind, emphasis is placed primarily on the community. The Ubuntu model is all about engaging with the community and developing mutual respect and a level of trust. “We have the focus, grassroots connections and legitimacy of a Community Based Organisation and the know-how of an International Organisation”, says Levy. He concedes that there have been tough times but by staying the course and building local relationships in the community their cause has prevailed.
When questioned about fundraising Jordan tells me, with a confident portion of pride, that 85% of every Rand raised finds its way back into projects in Zwide. “Ubuntu is run like a business.” By paying competitive salaries and attracting highly qualified individuals they are able to be sustainable.With offices in New York, London and, of course, Zwide, Ubuntu is a serious organization attracting a serious following. Support from their patrons Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu and Hugh Masekela as well as support from the Clinton Foundation; ensure that Ubuntu is taken very seriously beyond our borders. The tragedy is that very few people within our borders know about the work that Ubuntu is doing. Help to raise their local profile by spreading the word. Check out their site and join their Facebook group. If you are in PE, pop in and have a chat – their work will blow your socks off (if the wind doesn’t).
Malizole “Banks” Gwaxula is a great South African without whom this amazing project would not be possible. It is he who represents the spirit of Ubuntu and the pride of his community and his country.
For more info: http://ubuntufund.org/
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