Sakhisizwe -Building the Nation - Bou Die Nasie

Child Protection Week is an annual observance dedicated to raising awareness about the rights and well-being of children. It typically includes a series of events, campaigns, and activities aimed at promoting child safety, preventing abuse, and advocating for policies and practices that support children's healthy development.  Molo Songololo is a registered non-profit organization that promotes the rights and protection of children and youth, and especially girls. Their work aligns with the goals of Child Protection Week, focusing on advocacy, education, and empowerment to create a safer and more inclusive environment for children. Sakhisizwe got to speak with Patric from Molo Songololo. In our conversation we discussed the programs they have implemented to support children's rights and protection looking specifically about their programs for young girls who are the most at risk. We were informed of their collaborations with local communities, schools, and government agencies a

In the wake of Salt Awareness Week and World Hypertension day, Sakhisizwe is addressing the topic of health as it relates to Cardiovascular Disease (CVD). According to the World Health Federation, CVD’s, commonly referred to as Heart Disease or Stroke are responsible for about 18 percent of deaths from non-communicable diseases in South Africa. Although people are at an elevated of having CVDs if their family has a history with them, this is just one component contributing to a person’s overall risk of developing them. Fortunately, there are many lifestyle choices that you can make to reduce your risk. The Heart and Stroke Foundation, established in 1980 is a non-governmental non-profit organization that aims to reduce the prevalence of CVD's in South Africa. They specialize in three primary areas, Nutrition Science, Health Promotions, and Public Relations. Working alongside communities, and in professional and educational spaces they provide South Africans with educational and mat

                                  Racial discrimination is an issue affecting all corners of social life. The issue manifests in healthcare, education, community strength, safety, and especially labor. In an ideal world, racial discrimination does not exist, however due to years under the race-based social and economic structure of apartheid, racial discrimination is still embedded in many of the structures that affect the daily lives of South Africans.                                                                 The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation seeks to promote non-racialism through the principles within the Freedom Charter and South African Constitution. Formed in 2008, the foundation aims to continue the struggle for a non-racialized post-apartheid South Africa using the values of the Freedom Charter and the Constitution as a backbone. By organizing discussion spaces, promoting research and documentation, promoting archiving and research through a center, supporting projects that al

  Hundreds of people in South Africa struggle with Cystic Fibrosis, a life-threatening disorder that affects the lungs and digestive system. Treatment for the condition exists but the cost for treatment creates a barrier that makes it virtually non-existent for so many South Africans. Breath-taking Fundraising NPC is a non-profit organisation that helps South Africans with Cystic Fibrosis to access medication while simultaneously raising awareness about the condition.                                           Breathtaking enables and empowers individuals to utilize their communities to raise funds for Cystic Fibrosis patients. They make the fundraising process simple providing templates, platforms, and educational materials for people to get started. A core aspect of their programming is their collaboration alongside the South African Cystic Fibrosis Association (SACFA), where they work together increasing public awareness of the condition, its diagnoses, and the importance of increasi

                                                                           In South African communities, the need for youth mentorship is increasingly recognized as crucial for their development and success, as it provides guidance, support, and opportunities for growth, helping young individuals navigate challenges, make informed decisions, and unlock their full potential. MOT is an international organization dedicated to equipping young people with core values and life skills through mentorship. Through their comprehensive life-skills program they cultivate a safe environment which not only teaches students the values of mental health, awareness, and courage but dually tackles adolescent issues like bullying, substance abuse, and crime.                                  MOT takes a wholistic approach to student mentorship that not only changes students, but positively influences school environments, and their surrounding communities. By partnering with educational institutions, they e

South Africa has a complex history when it comes to LGBTQI rights. While the country boasts progressive laws, social attitudes can vary greatly. Out of the belief in the freedom of individuals to live a safe and dignified life, The Other foundation works to advance the human rights of queer people in Sothern Africa by changing the views, practices, and institutions that threaten them. The Other Foundation works specifically with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and gender non-conforming people for the purpose of expanding the resources available to defend and advance their social equality. Through Grant-Making and Fundraising they enable individuals and organizations to advance queer rights in their communities. They also hold public events that create open dialogue around queerness in Sothern Africa, as well as conduct research around queer issues. Sakhisizwe got a change to speak with Samuel Shapiro, the Other Foundations' Programmes Process Officer. In our conversa

As South Africa approaches its winter season, people across the country begin rummaging through their houses, workplaces, and computer files in search of the multitude of tax related documents needed to file each year. Tax season can be a stressful time for many due to the seemingly endless requirements to gather financial documents that cover an entire year.  The Office of the Tax Ombud is a government organization established in 2013 to better the South African tax administration system. They provide a middle man between SARS and taxpayers resolving their complaints speedily and free of charge. Sakhisizwe talked with Russel Mamabolo, the communication and outreach specialist of the Tax Ombud office. In our conversation we covered everything tax related including the basic steps of the tax filing process, the common mistakes people make when filing, and the way taxes differ for independent contractors. To learn more about or contact the Ombud Offices services you can find them on X, I

                                          The stories we learn about South African activism are far too often told from a male focused lens. This narrative of history ignores the crucial roles of the women on the front lines of the fight for gender equality. Without their contributions, human rights in South Africa would be drastically altered. Sakhisizwe had the honor of speaking with MOSAIC Programme Director Ronel E Stevens, about the launch of HerStory, a ground-breaking feminist podcast that amplifies the stories of women activists at the forefront of the fight against gender-based violence. MOSAIC is an organization that works to empower women and girls who have experienced any forms of GBV. Through their "Continuum of Care" model, they address the social influences that allow GBV to persist, the psychological affects of GBV on women survivors, the legal processes of bringing justice to victims, and the potential heath effects of GBV. The HerStory Podcast project addres

  Access to healthcare services is a human right, and organ transplantation is a critical area of healthcare that is vital in saving lives. Unfortunately, the global reality for many people in need of life-saving organ donation is spending years on a waiting list due to organ shortages. One factor exacerbating the issue of organ shortages is a lack of spaces and equipment to maintain the viability of donated organs. A group of students from Stellenbosch University is working on the Life Pod Project to forge that space. The goal of the Life Pod Project is to construct a specialized intensive care unit (ICU) for organ donors at Tygerberg Hospital. By safely housing donors for the 12-36-hour period before surgery, the ICU would preserve the viability of donated organs potentially saving up to 100 lives annually. The project started as a collaboration of students from Save7, a student driven non-profit dedicated to organ donation awareness, alongside faculty members, but grew to include a

As of December 2023, the unemployment rate in South Africa was 32 percent. Of course, unemployment breeds a variety of issues, affecting both those unemployed and the community, as lack of a stable income creates desperate circumstances. Taking Care of Business (TCB) is a non-profit dually tackling the issues of unemployment and clothing waste by empowering individuals into small business opportunities.                     First opening in Cape Town in 2010, TCB's mission has been to eradicate poverty in South African families by equipping aspiring entrepreneurs with the skills and resources needed to unlock their full potential and access the economy. Since then they have expanded to Paarl, Johannesburg, Durban, and East London as well as launching various projects and winning a multitude of awards, most recently the Ashoka Fellowship in 2018. Currently, with their repair remake resell program they have the capacity to serve 1100 unemployed individuals.                           

         Lack of access to contraceptive materials is linked to a wealth of problems, most notably sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancy. This single issue can escalate quickly and lead to unsafe abortions which can become life and death situations.  In an effort to increase access to contraceptive materials, the deputy minister of Health Dr (Sibong gi sêni) Dhlomo (glore more) and the Eastern cape MEC for health, Ms Noma khosa zana Meth led the official launch of self-care wellness vending machines that will carry a variety of oral contraceptives.  The initial intention for the vending machines was to curb the issue of teen pregnancy in South Africa. However, the machines, also containing period products as well as HIV prevention tools will revolutionize access to necessary healthcare products for a variety of people. Sakhisizwe spoke with National Health Department Spokesperson Foster Morehale, to fill us in on the details. In our conversation, we discussed the issues

Sakhisizwe spoke with Africa Monyai from Khulisa Social Solutions, a  multi-award-winning non-profit organization (NPO) established in 1997. In order to build resilient pathways and skills that lead to a sustainable future, it seeks to enable marginalized individuals, children, youth, and the community at large to realize their full potential.  Where many NGO's tend to address community development by attacking single issues, Khulisa takes an alternative approach looking at issues holistically and considering closely their intersections. Their integrated approach to community development utilizes NGO-partnerships to address youth education, unemployment, institutional development, sustainable agriculture, and senior care simultaneously through a variety of programming. currently, this approach has been implemented in six provinces across South Africa. In our conversation with Monyai, we discussed Khulisa's overall mission in empowering vulnerable children, youth and marginalize