The Nonkululeko Catherine Foundation, established in 2022, is a registered Non-Profit Organisation founded by Sinalenjabulo Joy Elizabeth Ndlovu, a third-year Human Resources Management student from the Faculty of Management Science at Durban University of Technology (DUT). The foundation is named after her late mother, Nonkululeko Catherine Ndlovu, who passed away in 2019 after battling colon cancer.
Ndlovu describes her mother as a loving and life-changing woman who touched many lives, and the foundation was created to honour her enduring legacy.
The primary mission of the foundation is to mobilise the youth, empower communities, and address pressing social issues. Through various initiatives, the organisation seeks to make a lasting impact by providing essential services, advocating for change, and improving individuals’ lives. The foundation is committed to bettering communities, focusing on programmes that offer career guidance and tertiary application assistance to high school students, hosting career days, and distributing food parcels and clothing to those in need.
“We aim to make a positive impact in the community by instituting initiatives and programmes that help better individuals,” said Ndlovu.
To further its reach, the foundation collaborates with a variety of stakeholders, including schools, churches, and other organisations. These partnerships are pivotal in amplifying the foundation’s efforts to tackle the social issues faced by many members of the community.
The foundation’s hard work and dedication recently earned recognition through the prestigious DUT Engagement Showcase and Pitching Award. Ndlovu shared her pride in receiving the honour, expressing how it validated the organisation’s efforts and highlighted its impact in the community. The award has significantly raised the profile of the Nonkululeko Catherine Foundation, leading to new collaborations with notable lecturers and academic departments, especially at DUT.
“We were overwhelmed with a sense of pride, fulfilment, and elation upon receiving the Engagement Award. It opened doors to new collaborations and has been a game-changer for us,” she said.
The foundation is currently involved in several impactful projects, including its flagship programme ‘Road to Varsity’, which helps high school students navigate the tertiary application process. Another key initiative is ‘Career Days’, where major stakeholders come together to educate the community on educational opportunities. The foundation also runs ‘Care Community Assistance and Relief Effort’, a programme that provides food assistance to those in need, as well as ‘The NCF Clothing Drive’, which collects and distributes second-hand clothing to community members facing shortages.
“We are excited to collaborate with DUT on several projects this year,” Ndlovu added. “We invite everyone to follow us on social media for updates on our upcoming events and initiatives.”
Over the past year, the foundation has achieved significant milestones, including assisting more than 550 students with career guidance and tertiary applications, hosting a successful career day, and distributing food parcels and clothing to those in need. Furthermore, through collaborations with DUT’s SWEEP Programme and sponsorships from partners like BB Bread, Durban Solid Waste, First National Bank, and the DUT Human Resources Department, the foundation has been able to expand its reach and make a more meaningful impact.
The Nonkululeko Catherine Foundation remains steadfast in its mission to make a positive difference in the community. The foundation’s commitment to collaboration and service ensures that it will continue to thrive, and they look forward to growing their efforts to better the lives of many.
“We are always looking for ways to collaborate with others to achieve our goals,” Ndlovu concluded.
Pictured: Members of the Nonkululeko Catherine Foundation during their Road to Varsity initiative at Ezithabeni Secondary School.
Photo supplied by the Nonkululeko Catherine Foundation
Phumeza Msongelwa
