Education is the most powerful weapon which
you can use to change the world.
- Nelson Mandela





Skhumbhuzo Mlibeni,  Khuphuka Youth Coordinator



Communicating with and supporting the young people of uMqatsheni is an essential part of our work.  Our fast growing, dynamic and creative youth service is co-ordinated by our youth coordinator, Skhumbhuzo Mlibeni.

The Khuphuka Project youth service aims to research, create and develop innovative HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention workshops and programs in collaboration with the local young people and to produce resources to promote awareness, discussion and behavioural change.

The Khuphuka Project is facilitating and developing our new Khanyisa workshops which use the African philosophy of Ubuntu as a framework within which to create an environment to discuss issues affecting them and their communities, and attempting to re-frame warriorship, power and responsibility, and exploring what being a man may mean in a rapidly changing world. 

For more information about our Khanyisa work please click here.

 There are also  youth leaders (male and female) from each of the tribal wards who have undergone training in HIV and AIDS, human rights and leadership.  One major project is to lead teams of local young people in creating and maintaining vegetable gardens for the more vulnerable households in their areas.  The Department of environment has been very helpful in setting this project up and the American Embassy in Durban have generously funded the gardening equipment.


The Khuphuka project is planning an innovative youth project in 2010. Siobhán Twomey from Dublin, Ireland will facilitate a digital media workshop that will expose the local young people to animation and film techniques, and encourage them to explore the reflective power of storytelling. The outcome will potentially result in a HIV and AIDS awareness resource which could be used as a dynamic communications tool within this community and beyond.  The workshop will also allow Skhumbhuzo to work with the youth in a relaxed and informal atmosphere, introducing discussion and education around HIV and AIDS aimed at behavioural change.

The youth coordinator conducts regular visits to local schools, providing information and encouraging group discussion and reflection on issues surrounding HIV and AIDS.

We are also currently working in partnership with the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg on a project aimed at researching and transforming livelihood opportunities for youth in the uMqatsheni area, with an emphasis on small scale agriculture.