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 Team Leader
Amanda Thomas
School Aide
Anele Qinga
Apprentice Teacher
Anele Zenzwa
Aministrative Assistant
Anelisa Sokwali
Professional Nurse
Anitta Morgweni
Community Health Worker
Apiwe Katu
Maintenance Support
Asanda Bumhudza
Assistant Teacher
Asemahle Mhlope
Assistant Teacher
Asipe Radi
Procurement Assistant
Asive Phike
School Aide
Avela Magula
Case Worker
Avela Mjuleni
General Worker
Avela Sola
Outreach Coordinator
Ayabonga Ntaba
School Operations Coordinator
Ayabulela Qaqa
Youth Employment Mentor
Azola Katyana
Assistant Teacher in Training
Azola Tonono
School Aide
Babalwa Marks
Outreach Administrator
Batande Milla
Barista Assistant
Beth Honig
Director, UK
Bongani Maninjwa
Driver
Bongeka Mnqawuli
Accountant
Bonolo Mokgethi
Professional Nurse
Busisiwe Kato
School Aide
Chagne Heuff
Responsible Pharmacist
Christine Wale
HR Manager
Claire Glubiak
Grants and Major Gifts Manager
Craig Pannell
Human Resources Director
Dillan Williams
Supply Chain Coordinator
Dr. Kemi Dele-Ijagbulu
Part Time Doctor
Emily Greco
Mentor Teacher
Eric Hodana
STEAM 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
Hanli Adendorff
Instructional Leader
Heinrich Francis
IT Manager
Hope Johannes
Maintenance Support
Ilse Botes
ECD Manager
Irene Senekal
Human Resources Officer
Jacob Lief
Founder and CEO
Jacqueline Sontyale
Professional Nurse
Jana Zindell
Chief Strategy Officer
Jordan Levy
Chief External Relations Officer
Kanyisa Nohako
Admin Assistant: Outreach
Kathleen Fogarty
Global Head of Data
Kerry Dunlop
UK Event Manager
Khanya Katase
Youth Employment Mentor
Khanyisa Ndlazi
Clinic Data Capturer
Kobus Froneman
Chief Financial Officer
Lamlani Daweti
Case Worker
Lebogang Gobodo
ECD Aide - Level 1
Lelethu Ngapi
External Relations Coordinator
Lerato Ralane
Executive Coordinator
Libya Pugh
Resident Artist
Likhona Fobe
Classroom Paraprofessional
Linathi Kabingesi
Teacher
Lindokuhle Falitenjwa
Assistant Teacher
Lindsey Biebuyck
Head of Middle and High School
Loyce Matloga
Stock and Accounts Clerk
Ludumo Mnyengeza
Driver
Lumka Rhojie
Data Capturer
Lusizo Lamani
Finance Assistant
Lutho Magwaca
Teacher
Luvuyo Thafeni
Maintenance Support
Lwandile Ketile
Maintenance Support
Madelyn Bickel
Marketing and Communications Manager
Malibongwe Mabokela
ECD Aide - Level 2
Malizole 'Banks' Gwaxula
Founder and Senior Advisor
Mazaleni Teyise
Maintenance Support
Mbongekuhle Mgijima
Jnr Help Desk Technician
Megan Goosen
Locum Pharmacist
Michal Khuto
Head of Primary School
Monwabisi Magadlela
Senior Nurse
Mphumzi Qwayiza
Maintenance Team Leader
Namhla Nteyi
Health Administrator
Namhla Ntsabo
Senior Case Worker
Nandipha Kondile
Barista Assistant
Ncebakazi Badi
Accountant
Nelisa Maseti
Barista Assistant
Nicky McCarthy
Executive Coordinator
Nkosana Nomnqa
Gardener
Nkosinathi Cele
Case Worker
Nokuthula Mangqasana
Creditors Clerk
Nomhle Mzoboshe
Cafe Coordinator and Head Trainer
Nontandazo Kulwana
ECD Case Worker
Nqobile Mokhethi
Health Manager
Ntombozuko Ndoni
Supply Chain Coordinator
Ofentse Mokobodi
School HR Officer
Olwethu Kapa
Maintenance Support
Ongeza Cima
Quality Manager
Papama Sinuka
Maintenance Support
Pelisa Camagu
Case Worker
Phumelela Maqakalana
Teacher Aid
Phumla Phala
Maintenance Support
Pinky Mhlangabezo-Ndala
Operations Officer
Sakhiwo Lambani
Driver
Shaun Dickson
Facilities Manager
Sibahle Sigam
Baking and Barista Trainer
Sibongile Magwa
Assistant Teacher in Training
Sihle Ntlangu
Psychologist
Sinalo Sigiba
Community Engagement Coordinator
Sinehlanhla Ndlovu
Teacher
Siphokazi Qwazi
Maintenance Support
Sisipho Buru
Maintenance Support
Siyabonga Zungu
Dietician
Siyamtanda Stemele
Instructional Aide
Siyanda Qoto
School Wellness Practitioner
Sphesihle Mlotshwa
Teacher
Tafadzwa Murinda
Monitoring And Evaluation Manager
Tarryn Mthimkhulu
Managing Director
Thabile Headbush
Business Development Manager
Thandeka Dyoda
Monitoring and Evaluation
Thandekile Mzaza
Grounds-Handyman
Thandile Lucas
Case Worker
Thandiswa Solwandle
Office Administration
Themba Malunga
Operations Supervisor
Thokozile Xhaka
Teacher in Training
Thotyelwa Kula
Admin Assistant
Travis Randall
Director, United States
Unalo Diniso
Teacher
Viron Barends
Senior Accountant
Vuyiswa Nxele
Maintenance Support Team Leader
Vuyolwethu Gcakasi
Admin Assistant
Xabisa Jarom
Instructional Aide
Xoliswa Dyasi
Maintenance Support
Yolanda Marenene
Instructional Leader
Zikhona Mkundlu
Maintenance Support
Zikhona Ngwendu
Supervisor's Assistant
Zikhona Selanto
HHS Administration
Zimkitha Hermanus
Junior HR Officer
Ziphozakhe Ndlebe
Monitoring and Evaluation Administrator
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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2023 Annual Report
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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