Dedicated in developing women in Africa

Nolufefe, Annie Barber, Fisani and Samella Mdlangathi discussing plans to empower
poor women of Africa and vulnerable groups in Pietermaritzburg

SaveAct is an initiative started in rural areas to uplift poor communities by promoting Savings and Credit Groups as effective instruments for accessing financial services,building sustainable livelihoods and in vulnerable groups.

Samella Mdlangathi said,"SaveAct was established to respond to two significant problems: such as the prevalence of poverty, lack of secure rights and social exclusion - particularly of women , combined with wide spread of HIV/AIDS."

According to Nolufefe from Matatiela area said that SaveAct vision is to empower poor and vulnerable groups through social and economic mobilisation to become drivers of positive change ,individually and collectively.
Amongst other things encouraged to members is to operate their saving scheme with the limited resources they have and increase their confidence in saving money.

SaveAct is working in partnership with Family Literacy Project to develop an economic program for its family literacy groups. SaveAct is training groups in savings, credit and social insurance funds.
One of the members said, " When our member passed away we contribute towards burial of stokvel members of family.

Sukumawenze Place of Care

Sukumawenze Place of Care at Inanda Newtown off the main road 

The Sukumawenze Project was established in 1984, by Father P. McMahon OMI and Sister Mary-Ann Mkhize who were working in the parish. In 1980 a new community was established at Inanda Newtown, as it was a new settlement, with the people living in tents.The councillors Mr. Kubheka and Mr. Msimanga asked that they help the people as they had asked to be trained in various skills so as to help themselves. The Archdiocese of Durban erected the buildings and many were trained in knitting, sewing, upholstery and computer skills.
Since the year 2000 the Church is challenging its members to stand up and do something about poverty, unemployment and HIV/AIDS epidermic. Social Welfare also requested that we open a care centre. This centre was therefore transformed to help answer this needs.We have divided a hall into sleeping quarters to accommodate the terminally ill and their children, if there is no one left at home to care for them at home.
Working hand in hand with volunteers we offer the following services:

• We continue offering computer skills
• We are feeding children who are orphaned and sick.
• Sukumawenze Place of Care provides health care by visiting families, providing food where necessary.
• We offer free counselling and testing
• We have educational programmes with regards to HIV?AIDS and TB.