They are making a difference to those in need

The members of the Macingwane family in Cobosi, Ngcobo, claimed to have been moved by their observations of the situation of the underprivileged, particularly the young people who still had a bright future. They created the IPHULO Consortium, a non-governmental organisation that is in charge of community development, as a result.

Despite only being introduced last year, it has already changed the lives of many.

This organisation was founded by Ntsikelelo Macingwane (27) a nurse, along with Dr. Olothando Macingwane (30), and Siphamandla Mbaswana (26) a pharmacist.

Ntsikelelo, the secretary of the IPHULO Consortium, says that they pay for expenses out of their own pockets and also benefit from support from businesses that give them school shoes, sanitary pads, and other personal care items.

He claims that when these parcels are distributed to children, they also deliver a speech in which they teach them about good behaviour, warn them about the risks of teenage pregnancy, tell them about the hazards of using drugs, and warn them about fighting in school.

Since they began their campaign last year, they have visited and donated to Khanyolwethu Senior Secondary School, Phakamani Senior Secondary School, Manzana Senior Secondary School in Ngcobo, and Mount Frere Senior Secondary School in KwaBhaca, all of which have needy students.

“This is an effort to make sure that no girl child misses school because she is on her period and does not have sanitary pads at home. We encourage the children when we visit them and have conversations with them because we don’t want them to attend school merely for the sake of attending; rather, we want them to go with a purpose and a dream so that they may make wise decisions about their future,” stated Ntsikelelo.

They gave Cobosi Primary School 50 pairs of shoes at the school in their village.

According to Ntsikelelo, additional members have been enlisted, bringing the total to six, as a result of their excellent work. They are Lusanda Mayihlome Macingwane-Makhasi, a teacher, Sisikelelwe Kula, a nurse, and Sive Ngomana, another nurse.

He says that they still have more plans to assist underprivileged schools, where they will continue to expose them to the careers they can pursue when they reach grade 12.