The 90-year-old non-profit social enterprise Communicare celebrated the impact of its subsidiary Vulamathuba Empumelelo with the moving story of one of its first bursary recipients Naeela Green.
This non-profit organisation together with Vulamathuba promotes economic mobility and social cohesion.
Previously, Vulamathuba Empumelelo implemented programmes solely for the benefit of the Communicare tenant base. However, in line with their adopted strategy, they have since expanded their reach to previously marginalized communities within the city of Cape Town.
This is to improve access for “out-of-school individuals” to enroll in post school education and training opportunities in line with the National Skills Development Plan 2030 fostering a career path and an increased chance to earn a stable income.
The Vulamathuba Empumelelo bursary fund is awarded to qualifying and deserving individuals, who are from previously marginalized communities within Cape Town and are interested in pursuing a qualification at an accredited institution of higher learning.
“We are committed to creating sustainable pathways for individuals to gain access to Pivotal training that enables them to be economically mobile and improve the trajectory of their lives,” said Noma-Afrika Nkwenkwe-Maxwele, Vulamathuba Empumelelo Manager.
Pivotal is an abbreviation for Professional, Vocational, Technical and Academic Learning. It refers to learning programmes that lead to occupational qualifications or part qualifications.
These programmes provide a structured and holistic approach to education and training that can transform lives, impact the mindset in the families and influence the community.
Naeela Green is one of the first to benefit from the Bursary Fund programme. The overall goal of Vulamathuba is to expand the organisation’s impact through innovative and focused social development interventions that create an enabling environment to advance the economic mobility of participants and the communities within the city of Cape Town.
“We are supporting economic independence, upliftment, self-reliance, and resilience through a structured programme with a prime focus on advancing education levels, on-the-job training (learnership, internship, and work integrated learning), accredited skills development training, job-seekers training, and providing life skills (soft skills and career guidance),” said Balisa Mancayi the communications officer of Communicare.
It is for this reason, according to Mancayi, that they encourage qualifying individuals to engage us and take up socio-economic development opportunities presented by Vulamathuba Empumelelo.
Naeela Green (20) lives in Manenberg. Her story is one of triumph. She is currently pursuing an Infant and Toddler Certificate from the Montessori Early Learning Foundation, funded by the Vulamathuba Empumelelo Bursary Fund.
Due to family circumstances when Naeela was three years old, she and her siblings were placed in foster care in different homes.
About two decades later, it may seem that history has repeated itself, but Naeela is determined to defeat all odds. In her matric year, at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Naeela fell pregnant and gave birth to her first child.
“My son has been placed in foster care because I cannot provide a stable home for him.”
Talking about what the Vulamathuba Empumelelo bursary opportunity meant for her, she said:
“It is a blessing, because I know I can work hard to get my son back and better my life.
“I want to especially give back to children so that they know they do not have to give up. I want them to fight for their dreams and know someone is always there,” said the assistant teacher.
“Many children in my community often grow up quickly because of their situation at home. I want them to come to school and feel like kids and to be inspired to pursue their dreams.”
Her advice to people who want to study further, especially young girls and women from similar communities as hers, is to surround themselves with people who inspire them and never let anything hold them back.
If you would like to learn more about Vulamathuba Empumelelo programmes: learnerships, matric programmes, bursaries, job seekers and skills programmes and many more contact admin@vulamathuba.org.za or visit their website https://www.vulamathuba.org.za/
