Tsakani – Nobomi Tshongweni (28) founded the Nobomi Foundation. It aims to bridge the need gaps in communities, SA and across the continent.
“Through the foundation, my team and I have built relationships across communities, cultures, and borders through collaborations, partnerships and the shared responsibility necessary to achieving individuals, families and a society that should be of interest to all of us.
“I am incredibly blessed and proud to have conceived such a human-centric culture ecosystem, where we can rebrand our communities, uplift humanity amid adversities and do so while reigniting hope and ubuntu in the lives of those we impact,” she said.
Tshongweni said she was raised by a tribe of strong-willed women and strong, resilient men who, through their actions, displayed to them as children the strength that lies in togetherness and holding each other up.
She added that she grew up when it was rare for one to know the flaws and shortcomings of another because everyone looked out for each other.
“There was a strong sense of pride and community. People seemed to be accountable to one another. Those are the principles that moulded the woman I am today.
“The humanitarian work I have built my life and career on is my way of passing on the teachings of the men and women who raised my generation and my peers not to have the current youth and generation further succumbing to social vices and redirecting the narrative of an African child from the township,” she added.
She further cited that building community unity is incredibly important to her. She goes to schools to give motivational talks and holds the youth up to try and provide courage and wisdom to the younger generation.
“We need to understand that our social ills, struggles, shortcomings and equally our pride, value, and how well we do as a people are our business, and it is up to us to tackle social issues for us to live better lives,” Tshongweni cited.
She said that through the demand and growing areas of need, particularly with the youth and children, The Nobomi Foundation has established and successfully run annual projects to support the community through winter drive campaigns to assist community members with clothing, blankets, shoes and other essentials.
She said another of their annual projects is the #AsambeSiyofunda school shoe campaign, which donates school shoes to learners from schools across Tsakani.
“We do this through the help we receive from teachers, the department heads and the principals at the relevant schools.
“We have also, for the past two years, managed to facilitate and mobilise male Grade 10 to Grade 12 learners from high schools in Tsakani to attend a national anti-GBV mentorship and intervention programme in which we had the honour of being hosted by several sponsors who always made sure our boys were fed, entertained but also empowered and supported through sessions with mentors on some of the societal issues they are subject to,” she added.
Tshongweni recently also contributed to the Rockville Forum gardening project launch, which she deems a brilliant initiative. It aims to promote sustainable living in communities.
She added that the programme serves to reinstate the dignity and pride of residents in building relationships and redirecting the township narrative around sustainability, health and rehabilitation.
“The project holds massive potential, and we plan on standing firmly on our promise to support the Rockville community in whatever capacity we can so we can have a helping hand in further impacting and reinforcing our strength as a community,” she added.
She also mentioned that she strongly advocates against GBV, saying nobody deserves abuse and no behaviour justifies it.
“If communities can work together to create an environment where perpetrators think twice about their actions and know that if a case is reported, heard of, or witnessed, affirmative action will be taken and reinforced.
“As communities, we have an opportunity to create interventions. However, before we can do it on a big scale, it will have to start intimately among us in holding each other up in high and unconditional regard without judgment.
“That will require commitment from all of us – family members, friends, neighbours, community watches, members of the SAPS, ward councillors, teachers at schools, and members of society,” said Tshongweni.
She further explained that communities, the country and Africa must unite and stand tall.
“We need to continue to help position women at the forefront of making key decisions that will greatly benefit and impact our lives for generations to come,” she said.
