Ubuntu Pathways (formerly Ubuntu Education Fund) is a nonprofit organization that provides an integrated support system of health, education, and social support in the townships of Gqeberha, South Africa, previously known as Port Elizabeth. Over the past 22 years, what began as a fortuitous meeting between two strangers has grown into an internationally-recognized blueprint for community transformation. Ubuntu has redefined mainstream development models by focusing on the depth rather than breadth of our impact on a community of 400,000. We believe in trusting those closest to the problem to create the solution. In partnership with the Bertha Foundation, we have created a world-class staff development initiative and today, 95% of our team are leaders from the community we serve.
A Global Standard for Community Transformation
Our Founders
Separated by race, nationality, and age, Jacob Lief and Malizole 'Banks' Gwaxula were brought together by something far more powerful––the spirit of ubuntu, roughly translated as ‘I am because you are'. Their unexpectedly profound journey has inspired a new, bold thinking about breaking the cycle of poverty.
Meet Our Team
Abongile Ngcosholo
Assistant Teacher
Abongile Nkenkana
ECD Aide - Level 1
Abulela Budaza
Maintenance Support
Alexis Duclos
Chief of Staff
Anda Mini
Art Teacher
Andiswa Kubashe
Classroom Paraprofessional
Anele Qinga
Apprentice Teacher
Anele Zenzwa
Aministrative Assistant
Anelisa Sokwali
Professional Nurse
Asanda Bumhudza
Assistant Teacher
Asemahle Mhlope
Assistant Teacher
Asipe Radi
Procurement Administrator
Asive Mzinyati
Case Worker
Athenkosi Mfengu
Maintenance Support
Avela Magula
Case Worker
Azola Katyana
Assistant Teacher in Training
Babalwa Marks
Outreach Administrator
Babalwa Mzalisi
Monitoring & Evaluation
Bernard Ting Chong
Operations Supervisor
Beth Honig
Director, UK
Bongeka Mnqawuli
Accountant
Bongekile Ntenteni
Barista and Baking Assistant
Bonolo Mokgethi
Professional Nurse
Busisiwe Mtana
Community Health Worker
Chagne Heuff
Responsible Pharmacist
Claire Glubiak
Grants and Major Gifts Coordinator
Craig Pannell
Human Resources Director
Dillan Williams
Supply Chain Coordinator
Dr. Kemi Dele-Ijagbulu
Part Time Doctor
Eric Hodana
STEAM Teacher
Fezeka Mtoli-Jucwa
Teacher
Fezeka Mzalazala-Tyutyu
Community Outreach Manager
Funeka Baleni
Senior Data Capturer
Gcobani Zonke
Deputy President
Glynnis Minnaar
Receptionist
Grace McKenna
Development and Operations Coordinator
Heinrich Francis
IT Manager
Irene Senekal
Human Resources Officer
Isipho Makunga
Case Worker
Jacob Lief
Founder and CEO
Jacqueline Sontyale
Professional Nurse
Jana Zindell
Chief Strategy Officer
Jordan Levy
Chief External Relations Officer
Kanyisa Nohako
Outreach Manager Assistant
Kathleen Fogarty
Head of Data
Kerry Dunlop
UK Event Manager
Khanyisa Ndlazi
Clinic Data Capturer
Kobus Froneman
Chief Financial Officer
Lamlani Daweti
Case Worker
Lebogang Gobodo
ECD Aide - Level 1
Likhaya Saliso
Maintenance Support
Likhona Fobe
Classroom Paraprofessional
Lindokuhle Falitenjwa
Assistant Teacher
Loyce Matloga
Stock and Accounts Clerk
Lubone Abrahams
ECD Aide - Level 2
Ludumo Mnyengeza
Driver
Lumka Rhojie
Data Capturer
Lusizo Lamani
Finance Assistant
Luvo Jama
Technical Maintenance Support
Madelyn Bickel
Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Malibongwe Mabokela
ECD Aide - Level 2
Malizole 'Banks' Gwaxula
Founder and Senior Advisor
Mamello Mpoka
Maintenance Support
Mandilakhe Blou
ECD Aide - Level 2
Mandisa Tsibaphi
Maintenance Support
Maurice Blackmon
Middle School Supervisor and Capacity Coach
Mbongekuhle Mgijima
Jnr Help Desk Technician
Megan Goosen
Locum Pharmacist
Monwabisi Magadlela
Senior Nurse
Namhla Nteyi
Clinic Administrator
Namhla Ntsabo
Senior Case Worker
Ncebakazi Badi
Accountant
Nicky McCarthy
Fundraising Coordinator
Nkosana Nomnqa
Gardener
Nokuthula Mangqasana
Creditors Clerk
Nolene Abrahams
HR Manager
Nomawethu Siswana
ECD Principal
Nomhle Mzoboshe
Cafe Coordinator and Head Trainer
Nontandazo Kulwana
ECD Case Worker
Nqobile Mokhethi
Clinic Manager
Ntombomzi Ndleleni
Outreach
Ntombozuko Ndoni
Supply Chain Coordinator
Ofentse Mokobodi
School HR Officer
Ongeza Cima
Quality Assurance Manager
Oyama Ngada
School Social Worker
Pelisa Camagu
Case Worker
Phumla Phala
Maintenance Support
Pinky Mhlangabezo-Ndala
Operations Officer
Sakhiwo Lambani
Driver
Shaun Dickson
Facilities Manager
Sibabalwe Dyasi
HHS Administrator
Sibahle Sigam
Barista Trainer
Sibone Abrahams
Instructional Aide
Sibongile Magwa
Assistant Teacher in Training
Sihle Ntlangu
Psychologist
Sinamava Jibiliza
Classroom Paraprofessional
Siphokazi Teyisi
Maintenance Support
Siphosethu Nqupe
Admin & Facilities
Siphosethu Simakuhle
Barista and Baking Assistant
Sisipho Romo
ECD Aide - Level 2
Siyabonga Zungu
Dietician
Siyamtanda Stemele
Instructional Aide
Taneal Padayachie
School Principal
Tarryn Mthimkhulu
Managing Director
Thandekile Mzaza
Grounds-Handyman
Thokozile Xhaka
Teacher in Training
Thotyelwa Kula
JST Intern
Travis Randall
Director, United States
Viron Barends
Senior Accountant
Vuyiswa Nxele
Maintenance Support Team Leader
Xabisa Jarom
Instructional Aide
Yolanda Batyi
Teacher
Zikhona Ngwendu
Data Capturer
Zimkitha Hermanus
Junior HR Officer
Zintle Mdoda
Maintenance Support
Ziphozakhe Ndlebe
Quality Assurance
Zukiswa Ngangalaza
Teacher
Want to Work With Us?
In addition to our headquarters in South Africa, we have fundraising offices in New York and London.
“You are not helpless, you are not ciphers that can be manipulated. You are people who can prepare your own thoughts.”
— Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Ubuntu Pathways Patron
Monitoring
& Evaluation
Ubuntu measures success not by textbooks distributed, but by university graduates. Annually, we conduct an on-track/off-track assessment, an evaluation framework developed in partnership with McKinsey & Company, to determine our impact and maintain organizational accountability. A client who is on-track is defined as one who is moving toward a successful outcome—a healthy, financially stable life.
Annual Reports
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2022 Annual Report
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2021 Annual Report
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2020 Annual Report
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2019 Annual Report
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20 Years of Ubuntu
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Cradle to Career
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Everything. Everyday.
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2015
Download Growing Up.Growing Up.
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A Million to One: Changing the Odds
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Made in South Africa
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Should Your Birthplace Determine Your Future?
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From Cradle to Career
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Life’s Journey, One Step at a Time
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10 Years: It’s Working
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I Am Because You Are
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For the Children of South Africa
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For the Children of South Africa
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Investing in Results
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It’s All About Community
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Annual Report