A Global Standard for Community Transformation

At Ubuntu Pathways, we have spent the past 26 years breaking the cycle of poverty in our community of Gqeberha, South Africa. Through our comprehensive system of education, health, and household support, we are placing 2,000 orphaned and vulnerable children on a pathway out of poverty, from cradle to career. Shifting away from traditional development models that fail to address the compounding burdens of poverty, we have pioneered a community-led, holistic approach that takes children and families from vulnerability to stability and success. In partnership with the Bertha Foundation, we have created a world-class staff development initiative.

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

  • Ahlumile Ndamane

    Maintenance Support

  • Anele Qinga

    Teacher

  • Anele Zenzwa

    Administrative Assistant

  • Anelisa Mxotwa

    Aide

  • Anelisa Sokwali

    Professional Nurse

  • Angelo Morris

    Maintenance Support

  • Asanda Bumhudza

    Assistant Teacher

  • Asemahle Mangqasana

    Administrator

  • Asemahle Mbambanisi

    Maintenance Support

  • Asemahle Mhlope

    Assistant Teacher

  • Asipe Radi

    Procurement Assistant

  • Avela Magula

    Case Worker

  • Avela Sola

    Outreach Coordinator

  • Ayabonga Ntaba

    School Operations Coordinator

  • Azole Hlanganiso

    Nutritionist

  • Babalwa Marks

    Outreach Administrator

  • Banele George

    Maintenance Support

  • Beth Honig

    Director, UK

  • Bongeka Mnqawuli

    Accountant

  • Bonolo Mokgethi

    Professional Nurse

  • Caroline Kelly

    English Immersion Mentor Teacher

  • Chagne Heuff

    Responsible Pharmacist

  • Christine Wale

    HR Manager

  • Claire Glubiak

    Grants and Major Gifts Manager

  • Claire Harcourt-Cooke

    Fundraising & Events Coordinator

  • Dillan Williams

    Supply Chain Coordinator

  • Eric Hodana

    STEAM Teacher

  • Fezeka Mzalazala-Tyutyu

    Community Outreach Manager

  • Funeka Baleni

    Senior Data Capturer

  • Gcobani Zonke

    Deputy President

  • Glynnis Minnaar

    Stock and Asset Control Assistant

  • Hanli Adendorff

    Instructional Leader

  • Heinrich Francis

    IT Manager

  • Hope Johannes

    Receptionist

  • Ilse Botes

    Head of ECD and Grade R

  • 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

    Outreach Admin Assistant

  • Kathleen Fogarty

    Global Head of Data

  • Khanya Peter

    Administrator

  • Khanyisa Bojana

    Maintenance Support

  • Khanyisa Matodlana

    Aide

  • Khanyisa Ndlazi

    Data Capturer

  • Kobus Froneman

    Chief Financial Officer

  • Lamlani Daweti

    Case Worker

  • Lauren Hutton

    Executive Assistant

  • Lelethu Ngapi

    External Relations Coordinator

  • Lerato Ralane

    Executive Coordinator

  • Likhona Fobe

    Classroom Paraprofessional

  • Lilitha Kopi

    Admin Assistant

  • Linathi Kabingesi

    Teacher

  • Linda Pieter

    Aide

  • Lindokuhle Falitenjwa

    Assistant Teacher

  • Lindsey Biebuyck

    School Principal

  • Lisa Ncwadi

    Maintenance Support

  • Liyabona Sifali

    Aide

  • Lizalisi Baliwe

    Maintenance Support

  • Lolwam Madlokazi

    Clinic Admin Intern Dietetics

  • Lona Maxiti

    Teacher

  • Loyce Matloga

    Stock and Accounts Clerk

  • Ludumo Mnyengeza

    Driver

  • Lulutho Boqwana

    Aide

  • Lumka Rhojie

    Data Capturer

  • Lupho Fiti

    Office Administration Intern

  • Lusizo Lamani

    Finance Assistant

  • Lutho Magwaca

    Teacher

  • Lwandile Kula

    Maintenance Support

  • Madelyn Bickel

    Marketing and Communications Manager

  • Malizole 'Banks' Gwaxula

    Founder and Senior Advisor

  • Mbali Maneli

    Admin Assistant

  • Mbongekuhle Mgijima

    Jnr Help Desk Technician

  • Megan Goosen

    Locum Pharmacist

  • Monwabisi Magadlela

    Senior Nurse

  • Mphumzi Qwayiza

    Maintenance Team Leader

  • Mthunzi Mbendeni

    Security Coordinator

  • Namhla Nteyi

    Health Administrator

  • Namhla Ntsabo

    Senior Case Worker

  • Ncebakazi Badi

    Accountant

  • Ncebakazi Mafunda

    Aide

  • Nicky McCarthy

    Executive Coordinator

  • Nkosana Nomnqa

    Gardener

  • Nkosinathi Cele

    Case Worker

  • Nokuthula Mangqasana

    Creditors Clerk

  • Nomhle Mzoboshe

    Programme Manager

  • Nontandazo Kulwana

    ECD Case Worker

  • Nontobeko Grootboom

    Maintenance Support

  • Nqobile Mokhethi

    Health Manager

  • Ntombozuko Ndoni

    Supply Chain Coordinator

  • Nwabisa Ndabambi

    Teacher Apprentice

  • Ofentse Mokobodi

    School HR Officer

  • Ongeza Cima

    Quality Manager

  • Oyama Grootboom

    Operations Administrator

  • Pamela Gijima

    Administrative Manager

  • Phumelela Maqakalana

    Teacher Aid

  • Phumeza Gola

    Maintenance Support Cleaner

  • Phumla Phala

    Maintenance Support

  • Pinky Mhlangabezo-Ndala

    Support Services Supervisor

  • Sakhiwo Lambani

    Driver

  • Samkelisiwe Nozulela

    Teacher

  • Samkelo Feni

    Maintenance Support

  • Sandra Mulaudzi

    Teacher

  • Shaun Dickson

    Facilities Manager

  • Sibahle Sigam

    Baking and Barista Trainer

  • Sihle Ntlangu

    Psychologist

  • Sinalo Sigiba

    Community Engagement Coordinator

  • Sinazo Ciyana

    Maintenance Support

  • Sinazo Dingana

    Feeding Program Assistant

  • Sinehlanhla Ndlovu

    Teacher

  • Sisipho Pezisa

    Maintenance Support Cleaner

  • Sinoxolo Samba

    Driver

  • Siphosethu Mxhasa

    Aide

  • Sisipho Mabonco

    isiXhosa Teacher

  • Sivumo Tshangela

    Case Worker

  • Siyabonga Zungu

    Dietician

  • Siyamtanda Stemele

    Instructional Aide

  • Siyamthanda Mahelu

    Clinical Admin Intern

  • Siyanda Qoto

    School Wellness Practitioner

  • Siyasanga Kalimashe

    Quality Coordinator

  • Spokuhle Ntanjana

    Maintenance Support

  • Tafadzwa Murinda

    Monitoring And Evaluation Manager

  • Tarryn Mthimkhulu

    Managing Director

  • Tembela Qata

    Maintenance Support

  • Thandekile Mzaza

    Grounds-Handyman

  • Themba Malunga

    Facility Operations Supervisor

  • Thembelani Dayimani

    Aide

  • Thandile Lucas

    Case Worker

  • Thando Jonas

    Maintenance Support

  • Thandokazi Windwel

    Maintenance Support

  • Thokozile Xhaka

    Teacher in Training

  • Thoyelwa Kula

    Admin Assistant

  • Travis Randall

    Director, United States

  • Unalo Diniso

    Teacher

  • Viron Barends

    Financial Manager

  • Vuyiswa Nxele

    Maintenance Support Team Leader

  • Xabisa Jarom

    Instructional Aide

  • Yonela Solani

    Maintenance Support

  • Zanele Zazini

    Administrator

  • Zenande Maxakana

    Teacher

  • Zikhona Ngwendu

    Clinic Assistant

  • Zinati Ntuli

    Monitoring & Evaluation Officer

  • Zimkitha Hermanus

    Junior HR Officer

  • Ziphozakhe Ndlebe

    Monitoring and Evaluation Administrator

  • Zukiswa Ngangalaza

    Teacher

  • Zwelenkosi Mlahleni

    Gardener

“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

OUR BOARD AND LEADERSHIP

Want to Work With Us?

In addition to our headquarters in South Africa, we have fundraising offices in New York and London.

Learn more

Annual Reports

Download the most recent report

2023 Annual Report

2023

2022 Annual Report

2022

2021 Annual Report

2021

2020 Annual Report

2020

2019 Annual Report

2019

20 Years of Ubuntu

2018

Cradle to Career

2017

Everything. Everyday.

2016

Growing Up.

2015

A Million to One: Changing the Odds

2014

Made in South Africa

2013

Should Your Birthplace Determine Your Future?

2012

2011

From Cradle to Career

Life’s Journey, One Step at a Time

2010

10 Years: It’s Working

2009

I Am Because You Are

2008

For the Children of South Africa

2007

For the Children of South Africa

2006

Investing in Results

2005

It’s All About Community

2004

Annual Report

2003

Celebrating 25 Years

2024