Daveyton’s based non-profit organisation founded by Sphiwe Nzimande known as ‘Bhushi’, Simphile Development Centre visited Gugulesizwe Primary School on February 17, 2023, and donated library chairs and tables along with the Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture
The organisation was established in 2018 with the main objective of introducing community-based Programmes that empower the youth and the community at large.
Some of their projects include skills development through basic educational programmes such as drug awareness health and recreation, and social and economic empowerment.
“Our focus is on poverty alleviation and youth development. We come up with different programmes and strategies that can help and assist the youth in our community. These programmes are aimed at promoting youth development, creating job opportunities through sports, promoting local tourism, and creating substance abuse awareness. We are a multi-tasking organisation focused on young people by assuring they participate in our programmes which also include sports and recreation namely: soccer, netball, chess, and aerobics. The programs are hosted in areas like Daveyton, Kingsway, Etwatwa, and Wattville.”
Nzimande mentioned that his key priority is to take care of the community he lives in.
“The main reason that pushed us to donate the library equipment was to instil the importance of education. I want Daveyton youngsters to learn because most of them struggle with their studies. We want to show the community the effectiveness of libraries as most people do not utilise them.
“I also chose to donate to the school because it was my primary school, so this was also a gesture of appreciation to the school at large for their efforts and the work they are doing in the children’s lives.”
Gugulesizwe’s primary school principal, Mr Sithole extended his gratitude to the former student by ploughing back to the school and he wishes to see more of his work, not only to the school but also to the public at large.
“We are very proud of Sphiwe, it goes back to the statement that states ‘you reap what you sow’. We wish him well in his future endeavours.”
Like any other NPO, Simphile foundation faces a huge challenge when it comes to catering to the specific needs of every child they deal with when they are being contacted. In terms of event attendance, and mostly they rely on donations and sponsors that fund their programmes and events.
“We also face difficulties with permanent premises to accommodate some of the youth who need home-based care and proper counselling.”
However, through their dedication and hard work they have achieved a 65% development and improvement within the youth they have helped and worked with, this feedback comes from different schools, churches, and members of the community, giving them good recommendations for their commitment and consistency.
Nzimande concluded by mentioning that they will keep striving for the better of the community and they plead with the public to provide any sort of assistance that can be beneficial to the centre.
By Simphiwe Nkosi
