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 Support

  • Amanda Thomas

    School Aide

  • Anele Qinga

    Apprentice Teacher

  • Anele Zenzwa

    Administrative Assistant

  • Anelisa Sokwali

    Professional Nurse

  • Anitta Morgweni

    Community Health Worker

  • 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

  • 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

  • Caroline Kelly

    English Immersion Mentor Teacher

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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 Coordinator

  • 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

    JST Intern

  • 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

“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

Want to Work With Us?

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

Annual Reports

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