Empowering Kliptown youths through education
HE IS only 30 years old, but enterprising Soweto youth Thulani Madondo is already at the helm of a burgeoning community development organisation.
LEADING THE WAY: Thulani Madondo, who is the director of Kliptown Youth Programme, in his office. Right, Madondo in one of the classrooms in the centre. PHOTOS: BONGANI MNGUNI
Kliptown Youth Programme co-founder, Madondo is one of 16 conscientious young community builders who were born in and around Kliptown, outside Soweto.
His face becomes sad when he speaks about the plight of the youth in Kliptown.
"There is no school, no electricity, no proper sanitation and no clinics," Madondo said, highlighting some of the challenges facing the local community.
"It is very challenging living in Kliptown."
He says this was why the youth-led nonprofit organisation aims its resources at empowering local youths through education.
"Someone who is educated has more confidence than someone who is not," Madondo says.
The programme entails an afternoon tuition session for primary and high school pupils, helping them mostly with homework.
"We currently have 400 children and youths in the programme," Madondo says, adding that volunteers and trained professionals also helped with computer literacy lessons.
Madondo and his colleagues have also established a community library. The books were donated by the community, as have a kitchen where the children are provided with meals.
Despite difficulties with the day-to-day running of the programme, the Kliptown Youth Programme has been able to build several extra classrooms and an office block.
One of Madondo's fellow leaders, Nelisiwe Walaza, 21, is herself a product of the programme and now shares responsibilities as one of the KYP's workers.
Walaza says: "I started with the programme when it began and after I finished matric the programme paid for my tertiary studies."
In addition to helping with the marketing for the programme, Walaza helps with the Grade 7 English and mathematics afternoon classes. - nkosin@sowetan.co.za
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Mondi
Thulani you the man!!!This is the guy who should be in charge of education in Mzanzi.
Not that Rasist Blade and ugly Angie. All the best Thulani.
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MGEEZ
What a news worthy story sowetan, a big up to you. Thulani I am proud of you my brother, keep up the good work, we need more people like you in our communities.Report Abuse
cornelius
YES YES YES ! Bravo Thulani.Report Abuse
YaNe397GP
Power to u my Black BrotherReport Abuse
mothofeela
Sakseni i wish u all de best bra.keep up de good workReport Abuse
Mzabalazo
This is what I always say, the people of SA, the masses themselves were their own liberators those who assisted came and claimed the victory, these Young great warrior are reflecting the true spirit of their predecessors, this spirit we see today displayed by these young people is there one that June 16 was born from, the one that nourished the 1980's siyayinyova , and the early 90's spirit that was hijack by organizations and turned against each other in support of those who wanted to claim the victory of the masses and hose who now claim it as heir own, when the masses themselves liberated them out of hopeless exile and Robben Island (Makana Island) incarceration . We are yet to see the history of the brave repeat itself. Long live the people.Report Abuse
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