WHO WE ARE
Since its inception in 2015, Africa Capacity has engaged approximately 1000 individuals in the Eastern and Western Provinces of South Africa. This includes at-risk youth, rural women, and formerly incarcerated persons in several rural and township (peri-urban) communities. Our activities include vocational skills, life skills, and mental health projects. Some participants at our previous workshops are now manufacturing and selling good quality home furniture. Another participant plans to “continue learning as much as possible, open my own business, and transfer the skill to my community.” This is remarkable for individuals from a low income and high unemployment context in “one of the most unequal countries in the world” (Statistics South Africa).
OUR IMPACT
Africa Capacity seeks to help Africans develop their talents into strengths that change Africa, one community at a time. In view of this, we encourage the establishment of small businesses or cooperatives among our workshop participants.
Isibane Senkosi, a new company that is initiated, owned and operated by participants of our recent carpentry and restorative justice workshop was registered in October 2020. The company provides upholstery services for home and office furniture. In addition to creating an opportunity for coaching by our trainer, Zolisa Gwiji, the company also provides our previous participants with a platform for employment, income generation, dignity and peace of mind. Through regular staff meetings, we explore different aspects of upholstery, life skills, business ethics, organizational culture, community development, and the need for collaborating with excellent individuals and organizations. We hope that the socio-economic transformation in employees of Isibane Senkosi will be an inspiration for other formerly incarcerated persons and at-risk youth in our low income communities.