IKAMVA LABANTU - Key Persons
Avril developed Ikamva Labantu's programme for the visually impaired. This programme trained visually impaired individuals to become receptionists and switchboard operators who could then find employment. Later, she headed up the aromatherapy massage training for the visually impaired at Ikamva Labantu. The programme for the visually impaired eventually became its own organisation, separate from Ikamva Labantu.
Connie lived in a shack between Phillipi East and Khayelitsha. She started foster care in her shack for abandoned children.... Read more Connie Mayekiso Connie lived in a shack between Phillipi East and Khayelitsha. She started foster care in her shack for abandoned children. Later, Ikamva Labantu purchased a home for her in Thembani for the foster children. She also started skills development groups for beading, sewing, and toilet paper production. Sadly, she has passed away.
Dado lived in Langa and took in abandoned and orphaned children. She also ran a preschool. Sadly, she has passed... Read more Dado Dyira Dado lived in Langa and took in abandoned and orphaned children. She also ran a preschool. Sadly, she has passed away.
Francis joined the women's daycare group Ithemba Labantwana from Ocean View, a distant location. This greatly assisted young children in her area who required preschool preparation.
Gail first worked in Gugulethu with Vukuhambe - the training and employment programme of the physically disabled. Later she created and managed Community Creations, an Ikamva Labantu skills training and employment providing project. She was the designer of the first soft cloth "black" dolls and many shwe shwe products for Community Creations. When Gail left Ikamva Labantu, Community Creations closed, and some of the women created their own sewing businesses.
Geraldine created her daycare in Mitchells Plain and brought all the preschool principals in the coloured areas together into the already established women's daycare group, Ithemba Labantwana. Geraldine is featured in the Brave Hearts documentary.
Job Titles:
- Founder
- Honorary President
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Helen Lieberman has been recognised globally for her dedication to humanitarian work. Some of her notable awards include the 2022 Kirsh Family Lifetime Achievement Award and the 2017 Officier de la Légion d'Honneur.
Job Titles:
- Facilities and Operations Manager
Job Titles:
- Head: Sustainable Development
Job Titles:
- Writer, Producer and Executive Producer of Brave Hearts
Job Titles:
- Older Persons Programme Manager
Meisie lived in Gugulethu. She was one of the founders of the women's group Ithemba Labantwana and a very strong... Read more Meisie Manata Meisie lived in Gugulethu. She was one of the founders of the women's group Ithemba Labantwana and a very strong leader of the early childhood programme. She also worked tirelessly caring for HIV sufferers. Meisie was featured in the Brave Hearts documentary. Sadly, she has passed away.
Job Titles:
- Early Childhood Development Programme Manager
Mildred lived in Gugulethu. She had a daycare centre and fostered orphaned children in her home. Mildred was the first chairperson of this group of women, Ithemba Labantwana. Sadly, she has passed away.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Assistant Community Based Worker
Rosalie is from Crossroads. She took in many orphaned children, caring for them until adulthood.
Job Titles:
- Founder of the Older Persons Programme
Tutu is the founder of the Older Persons programme at Ikamva Labantu. She brought seniors together to form clubs, motivating and encouraging them to manage and expand these clubs for themselves. Under her leadership, senior clubs grew to 19, transforming into a vibrant and thriving senior enrichment community. Tutu is now retired and attends the senior club in Langa, where she lives. Tutu was featured in the Brave Hearts documentary.
Thobeka took care of abandoned babies in a shack in Gugulethu until Ikamva Labantu built her a house where she... Read more Thobeka Mapapu Thobeka took care of abandoned babies in a shack in Gugulethu until Ikamva Labantu built her a house where she continues taking care of the children. Thobeka was featured in the Brave Hearts documentary.
Job Titles:
- Social Worker - Team Leader
Xolisa lived in Khayelitsha, where she ran a preschool. When she could no longer run the daycare, her son took... Read more Xolisa Swartbooi Xolisa lived in Khayelitsha, where she ran a preschool. When she could no longer run the daycare, her son took over.