Our Approach

Vulamathuba Empumelelo started as the community development arm of Communicare established in 2009 to deliver developmental interventions to Communicare tenants. The overall goal of Vulamathuba was to expand the organisation’s impact through innovative and focused social development interventions that create an enabling environment to advance the economic mobility of participants and communities.

The organisation has since evolved and deepened its focus on education, skills development and training thereby addressing the needs of more people in under-resourced communities. This focus makes a long-lasting impact by equipping people with the tools they need to realise their potential, take ownership of their development and develop career paths that build resilience. Promote a culture of mutual respect and appreciation through tenant engagement and group activities.

Our Vision

Our vision is to make a lasting change in the lives of individuals, families and communities through social support, training and skills development. We strive for a future where everyone can realise their full potential and contribute meaningfully to society.

Our Mission

Our mission is to impact participant's lives through innovative and focused social development (socio-economic) interventions that create an enabling environment where they can access the tools and resources necessary for self-reliance and sustainable growth.

2009 - The Birth of Communicare Foundation

The Communicare Foundation was established in 2009 to support economic growth for individuals living in Communicare housing. Our goal was to create programmes that would help tenants transition from social housing to affordable rental options or even enable them to purchase their own homes.

2019-2021 - Vulamathuba Empumelelo Takes Shape

From 2019 to 2021, Vulamathuba Empumelelo collaborated closely with Communicare's Rental and Property Management teams. We implemented programmes aimed at tenants in both social housing and affordable rentals, as well as in surrounding underprivileged communities.

Over time, we applied the lessons learned to refine our approach, leading to a clearer vision, better targeted services and a more sustainable operating model. A significant part of this improved strategy involved expanding Vulamathuba's role as a provider of skills development and training.

2022 - Rebranding to Vulamathuba Empumelelo

In 2022, the Communicare Foundation was officially renamed Vulamathuba Empumelelo, which means "unlocking opportunities for success" in isiXhosa. This rebranding marked a new chapter for the organisation, expanding our focus beyond just helping Communicare tenants to also serving the wider community. Our primary objective became supporting disadvantaged individuals in gaining access to education, skills, training and development opportunities.

2022 - Launch of the Community Learning Centre

Vulamathuba opened a Community Learning Centre in Brooklyn, Cape Town. The centre provides Post-School Education and Training (PSET) that is easily accessible to people from local and nearby communities. This learning hub creates an environment where Vulamathuba can apply for official accreditation, allowing us to offer recognised training programmes. Additionally, it helps address some gaps in the public education system by providing a supportive and inclusive learning atmosphere.

2024 - Achieving Public Benefit Organisation (PBO) Status

In 2024, Vulamathuba Empumelelo was officially registered as a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO). This status enables the organisation to partner with both private companies and government departments, while also providing tax benefits for donor partners. Such support facilitates our ability to attract funding, allowing Vulamathuba to expand its reach and impact within even more communities.