PROJECT-SUPPORT SOUTH AFRICA

Foundation Thatha Ithuba, Neuheim, Switzerland

Country / Place

South Africa, Cape Town, Imizamo Yethu Township in Hout Bay

The Republic of South Africa borders the Indian Ocean to the south and southeast and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. To the north are the neighbouring states of Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe, to the northeast Mozambique and to the east Eswatini. The Republic of South Africa has three capitals: the executive government is in Pretoria, the legislative parliament in Cape Town and the Supreme Court in Bloemfontein.

General

The Thatha Ithuba Foundation is a non-profit organisation that has set itself the goal of creating educational opportunities and making educational dreams come true. They work in an environment where disadvantaged young people struggle to access quality education. The foundation accompanies and supports young people from townships like Imizamo Yethu and empowers them to identify their educational and professional opportunities themselves, with the goal to use these and to pass on their experiences.

Today, the South African population is still characterised by socio-economic inequalities, which is why it is crucial to offer targeted support and mentoring to close educational gaps and empower young people for a better future.

Township Imizamo Yethu in Hout Bay

Around 34,000 people live in the simplest conditions in the largest township of Hout Bay, a coastal suburb of Cape Town. Imizamo Yethu translates from the Bantu language Xhosa, which many inhabitants speak, into English as "our efforts". Most people live in self-made shacks, simple huts made of tin, wood and cardboard. Living in Imizamo Yethu means living under very difficult conditions. There is no adequate basic supply of water and electricity, nor is there a functioning sewage system. Poverty, crime, and violence characterise everyday life, the provision of health care is difficult and there are only a few schools.

Beneficiaries

The focus is on accompanying and supporting students as mentors. In order for Thatha Ithuba to be successful in the long term and bring about real change for the young people in the townships, the entire programme is divided into five different fields of action. The individual measures are coordinated and connected with each other. Thatha Ithuba mentors are the role model for the next generation and support other young women and men so that they can achieve their goals.

Project-support

Thatha Ithuba goes beyond mere programmes - the organisation connects with disadvantaged youth on a deeper, human level. It shares their stories, listens, understands individual needs, and builds genuine, supportive relationships. This empathetic approach builds trust, encourages personal development, and reassures participants that they are not alone.

Mentorship Programme
What happens after graduation? Enabling education to break the cycle of poverty. The school graduates are assigned mentors and together they make educational and future plans. The young people are accompanied for several years. Thanks to their own mentorship programme, students are trained as mentors. In workshops and training camps, they receive valuable life skills for their own lives as well as for their work.

Support classes
Knowledge gaps in basic subjects such as mathematics, reading and writing have a devastating effect and lead to significantly lower chances of obtaining a graduation certificate, a study programme, or an apprenticeship. The foundation helps to promote equal opportunities by closing the educational gaps and offering all students the same opportunities. This not only empowers students, but also has a positive impact on their families and society as a whole.