Mfesane
Mfesane, a well-established non-profit organization, has been involved in programmes which empower disadvantaged and poverty stricken people since 1975. Operating as a relatively small organization, Mfesane partners with existing local NGO’s in the development and implementation of projects which fall within their focus areas which include educational enrichment and development, youth development, social care and development, poverty reduction, economic empowerment and leadership development. Mfesane’s partnerships are based on a merging of practical and human resources in order to achieve the objectives of the specific project in the most efficient and cost effective manner. This approach ensures the extensive delivery of services, promotes the development of local non-profit organizations and reduces the need for Mfesane to employ a large staff.
Mfesane serves the Eastern and Western Cape provinces from their bases in:
Cape Town:
Central Office, Bellville: The office accommodates the core functions of management and general development for Mfesane.
KwaMfesane, Community Centre, Crossroads: The Community Centre with its infrastructure is utilised for the Maths Enrichment Project, as well as the Social Care and Child Development Programme serving Crossroads and Khayelitsha.communities.
West Coast:
Masiza branch at the Military Academy in Saldanha is the base from where Mfesane serves the developmental needs of communities, build networks and promote co-operation with other service rendering organisations in the West Coast region. (”Masiza” is a Zulu word connoting assistance to people).
Eastern Cape:
Regional office in Port Elizabeth. From this point it serves all the projects in the Eastern Cape.
List of the Programmes and / or Projects currently being run
Youth Development
Description: Projects and programmes which serve the development needs of the youth.
Projects:
1. Leadership Development Programme, West Coast, Western Cape
Leadership skills programme for Grade 6, 7 and 12 learners.
2. Life skills project, Eastern Cape
Project at Khanyisa School for Visually Impaired Learners for the purpose of providing life skills and independence training to visually impaired learners.
3. Computer skills training project, West Coast, Western Cape Project which provides computer literacy training to pupils and young adults at St Andrew’s Primary School in Saldanha Bay.
4. High Five Programme, West Coast, Western Cape
A life skills programme targeting high-risk youth between the ages of 13 and 20 from 20 schools (high and primary schools) in the Saldanha Area. The programme accommodates a group of 30 young people in the programme at a time for a period of four weeks. The purpose is to instil and internalise the values of self-worth, self-belief, self-esteem, self discipline and self help. The programme aims to eventually reach 600 young people.
5.Masiphathisane After School Care programme, Crossroads, Western Cape
After school programme targeting 100 primary school learners.
Educational Development and Enrichment
Description: Projects and programmes which serve the needs of schools, including learners, staff, school governing bodies (SGB’s) parents and school communities.
Projects:
1. Maths Enrichment Project, Crossroads, Western Cape
After-school maths tuition to learners from Grade 7 to 12.
2. Maths Enrichment Project, West Coast, Western Cape
Saturday and holiday programmes which provide maths tuition to learners from Grade 8 to 12.
3. School Development
Mfesane is linked to the following schools for learners with disabilities:
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Khanyisa School for Visually Impaired Learners, KwaDwesi township outside Port Elizabeth
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Efata School for the Blind and Deaf, Umtata
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Reuben Birin School for the Hearing Impaired, Port Elizabeth
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Lonwabo School for Learners with Special Needs, Port Elizabeth
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Vukuhambe School for Physically Disabled Learners, East London
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Noluthando School for the Deaf, Khayelitsha, Cape Town.
Poverty Reduction and Economic Empowerment
Description: Projects and programmes which promote economic development and empowerment of selected target groups with special attention to the needs of the poor, unemployed, disabled and school leavers.
Projects:
1. West Coast Career Guidance Programme, Western Cape
This Programme provides annual winter schools for entrepreneurs as well as career expos, advice on subject choice and career guidance to learners at schools which serve poor and under-resourced communities.
2. Ubuntu Training and Development Centre, Eastern Cape
Vocational skills training (i.e. sewing, welding and weaving) for blind, deaf and disabled people in order to empower them to become more employable or self-employed.
3. Vocational Skills TrainingCentre, Eastern Cape
Linked to Vukuhambe School for Physically Disabled Children, this project aims to introduce learners to vocational skills such as pottery, leatherwork, sewing and bookbinding.
Social Care and Development
Description: Community based projects addressing the basic needs of the poor and vulnerable groups in society including children and adults in need of care, with special focus on early childhood needs, the disabled, HIV affected and infected persons.
Projects
1. Social Care and Child Development Programme, Crossroads, Western Cape
This project incorporates 2 educare centres (Nompumelelo and Mzamowethu).
2. Intliziyo HIV/AIDS education and prevention project, Eastern Cape
Intliziyo project is situated on the Ashby Manor farm near Queenstown with an emphasis on Home Based Care to people and families affected and infected by HIV/AIDS in the surrounding townships and area.
3. HIV/AIDS Education & Support Programme, West Coast, Western Cape
The project is being implemented in the Saldanha Bay Municipal Area and provides both HIV/AIDS education and a mobile counseling and testing unit (VCT Centre).
4. Medical Outreaches, West Coast, Western Cape
The project provides free medical care, HIV/AIDS awareness and educational programmes and soup kitchens for children in very poor communities.
5. HIV/AIDS care, education and prevention, Eastern Cape –
This project implements a home based care and HIV/AIDS prevention programme in the KwaNobuhle, Uitenhage/Port Elizabeth in partnership with Thandi Youth Group in Uitenhage.
Contact:
Cape Town region and Central Office:
Mrs Nomvuyo L Baba, Managing Director.
Private Bag 2,
Mrs Nomvuyo L Baba, Managing Director.
Private Bag 2,
PO International Airport,
Cape Town
7525.
9B Bellpark Office Plaza,
Cnr Teddington & De Lange Road,
Bellville.
Tel (021) 945 3992/5
Fax (021) 945 3989
E-mail central@mfesane.org.za
E-mail central@mfesane.org.za