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Lukhanyiso set its sights on final NPO registration

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Lukhanyiso set its sights on final NPO registration:

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Sovereign Foods Group Executive for HR, Thuto Maepa (left) and Lukhanyiso Child and Youth Care Centre Manger, Phumla Bucwa (right) are all smiles after cutting the ceremonial red ribbon at the unveiling of the boundary fencing.

Sovereign Foods Group Executive for HR, Thuto Maepa (left) and Lukhanyiso Child and Youth Care Centre Manger, Phumla Bucwa (right) are all smiles after cutting the ceremonial red ribbon at the unveiling of the boundary fencing. Photo:

KwaNobuhle-based Lukhanyiso Child and Youth Care Centre are one step closer in becoming a fully-fledged non-profit organisation (NPO) as the organisation unveiled its newly constructed boundary fencing. The ceremony was a joyous affair as guests were treated to a musical ensemble and drama act led by the children of the care centre. In attendance was poultry producer, Sovereign Foods’ corporate social responsibility team who made the upgrade a reality.

Since 2014, the care centre has received a total of R 66 620 from, Soveriegn Foods, and this included R 36 620 for the boundary fencing construction. With the upgrade, Lukhanyiso can set its sights on other prerequisites needed in the final NPO registration process .

“The boundary fencing is one of the key requirements for becoming a registered NPO. Once registered, potential funders will start viewing us as a credible organisation and therefore this increases the likelihood of receiving grants and donations from the Department of Social Development and other organisations,” explained Phumla Bucwa who manages the facility.

In addition, “the centre will be able to have a valid Lukhanyiso bank account as a registered NPO and will be able to access tax incentives afforded to registered NPOs. We are currently waiting for a response from the Department of Social Development and a final inspection from the National Department of Health.

“Our heartfelt and sincere gratitude goes out to Sovereign Foods whose financial contribution has made the boundary fencing construction a possibility,” said Bucwa

This year alone, Sovereign Foods has donated over R286 000 to education institutions and community development support programmes within the Uitenhage area. These include Early Church Movement’s soup kitchen programme; KwaNobuhle Victim Support Centre; Joe Slovo-based community crèche, Zoey’s Little Lamp; KwaNobuhle-based Sonwabise Community Development; Bethelsdorp-based healthcare initiative WeCare; Siyaphambili Primary School and Rocklands Intermediate Farm School.

Group Executive for Human Resources at Sovereign Foods, Thuto Maepa, praised the care centre’s achievements and said that the community is always in the best interests of the company.

The unveiling, held last week, provided an opportune occasion to commemorate youth month. Hence, “[as Sovereign Foods] we are proud to be affiliated with Lukhanyiso as it actively endeavours to support the development of orphaned and vulnerable youth,” said Maepa.

Maepa added: “community programmes such as those offered by Lukhanyiso should not be on the shoulders of one person. Seeing the community members at this occasion shows that Lukhanyiso is a product of the community’s effort as a whole to ensure that each child receives an equal amount of support and attention.”

Lukhanyiso’s team consists of nine trained personnel which include a social worker, four care givers, a book keeper, groundsmen and two volunteers from the community. Each team member has a duty to provide therapeutic, developmental, recreational and outreach programmes for the care centre.

Early in 1991, Lukhanyiso Child and Youth Care Centre opened its doors and started out as a shelter for twenty homeless boys. After the success of the shelter, in 2003 funds were raised by social welfare NGO SHARE to expand the premises which made the intake of girls a possibility. Thirteen years later and the care centre has become a safe haven that can accommodate fifty orphans and vulnerable youth, aged 0 to 18 years, who come from dysfunctional households.

This year the care centre has 37 children that receive support from Lukhanyiso. However, the centre is still in need of a few developments to better assist the youth, such as a computer lab and transport services. If you are capable to contribute in any form, kindly contact Bucwa on 041 978 0045.

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Source: Eastern Cape – MyPR.

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