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South Africa

Projects in South Africa
Farmers from Bulungula in South Africa cultivate their fields.

Across South Africa, our partner organisations support vulnerable groups including women, young adults, indigenous communities, the homeless, and the visually impaired. Their projects span diverse regions such as Cape Town, Mitchell’s Plain, the Amathole District, Hamburg, the Eastern Cape, and the Cape’s west coast.

Partnerships for local answers to social and economic challenges

Since 2011, Lemonaid & ChariTea Foundation has partnered with grassroots organisations to foster long-term improvements in education, income generation, financial inclusion, and community participation. To date, fourteen projects have received support, with five initiatives currently underway.

South Africa's cultural diversity is reflected in its eleven constitutionally recognised official languages. At the same time, the country faces enormous social and economic inequalities: with a Gini index of 0.63, South Africa is one of the most unequal societies in the world (World Bank, 2024). The unemployment rate is 32.9 %, and even higher among young people at over 60 % (Statistics South Africa, 2024).
This lack of prospects contributes to a growing skills gap and social tensions. Despite a GDP of 399 billion USD – which makes South Africa the third largest economy in Africa – structural problems such as unemployment, energy insecurity and social inequality are significantly hampering development prospects. As the only African G20 member, South Africa still plays a key role in global economic policy (World Bank; Statistics South Africa 2024).

The projects are located in various regions – Cape Town, the Amathole District, Hamburg, the Cape West Coast, the Eastern Cape and Mitchell’s Plain.

Our partner organisations in South Africa deal with a variety of issues: youth unemployment, limited access to quality education and poverty. Many projects open up opportunities for young people who have dropped out of school or are at risk of being left behind. Others empower mothers of blind children to build financial independence or support homeless people on their way back into society.
In addition, NGOs are dedicated to addressing the consequences of climate change, the loss of natural habitats, crime and youth migration. All these approaches are based on the conviction that every human being deserves dignity, opportunities and a sense of belonging.

We are currently supporting five projects in South Africa.

Projects in South Africa

A participant in a workshop by Dream Factory in South Africa during an exercise.

DREAM FACTORY

Dream Factory Gives Young Women a Future Perspective

Plant seedlings grown by participants in the Living Roots project in South Africa.

U-TURN

Rehabilitation Opportunities for the Homeless Through Gardening

Seed's Lead Facilitator, Imraan Samuels, and participant, Oscar Adonis, create a vegetable garden from planning to planting.

SEED

Sustainable agriculture creates jobs

Chemondlay Speelman is a baker; Hazel Samantha Hangaika sells purified water; Waseema Davids is a masseuse and hairdresser. The three are young entrepreneurs who previously received their training from the SOZO Foundation. In the picture, they are participating in a training session by a guest lecturer from the Incubation Hub on the topic of small business loans.

SOZO

An initiative for vocational training and employment for young people in Vrygrond

Project participants at an introductory workshop by MASIFUNDE in South Africa for prospective entrepreneurs.

MASIFUNDE

MASIFUNDE empowers young women in the kasiConomy Hub.

Impressions from the projects.

  • Esther Ramanantsialonina and Sidikat Olajuwon are project participants of the South African organisation SOZO. In the picture, the entrepreneurs are working on the 'Dream Wall', an inspiring and interactive space where they can visually represent their short-term goals.
  • A SEED participant from South Africa plants seedlings for the vegetable garden.
  • Anelisa Tyokwana, Project Coordinator for the sewing programme at Nkosinathi.
  • Together with their fellow beneficiaries, Yonela N., Onele L. and Nomzamo N. (front row) present a song and dance performance.
  • Members of a women's cooperative from ESST in South Africa.
  • A participant in an agricultural project wears gardening equipment and goggles.