Powering Purpose Through Enterprise: How Our Social Enterprises Fuel Sustainable Impact

By Linah Mokwana (Just Grace Fundraising Coordinator)

Our goal at Just Grace is straightforward yet strong: to end Langa’s poverty cycle by means of education, skills development, and job creation. But we also know that generating lasting influence involves more than passion; it requires sustainability.

That is why we have integrated social enterprise into our DNA. Our commitment to sustainable development means building models that reduce dependency on donor funding while empowering our community to lead transformation. By means of creative, income-generating projects, we are demonstrating that goal and profit can coexist.

Why we chose a social enterprise model

The traditional donor model, while valuable, can be unpredictable. Long-term impact demands long-term funding, and we needed a strategy that could outlast funding cycles and economic fluctuations. Our model enables us to build long-term, sustainable funding, reducing our dependency on funders, creating jobs for the community and programme alumni, and promoting innovation. This allows us to test new, innovative ideas and respond to community needs.

MEET OUR ENTERPRISES

Rather than just business entities, our enterprises are extensions of our social mission, meant to inspire, educate, and empower.

Cela Coffee & Mobile Coffee Services

Cela Coffee, founded in the heart of Langa, is more than just a drink. It’s a brand that unites people, provides jobs, and celebrates township greatness. Cela Coffee, which roasts beans locally and trains young baristas, has now reached the shelves of Checkers supermarkets, marking a significant step toward scaling township-based products.

Sewing Products

Our sewing programme provides vital skills to youth aged between 18-27 years, allowing them to gain skills by producing high-quality handcrafted goods. The programme also includes personal and professional development training to help youth not only gain hard skills, but also essential soft skills needed in the job market.

Iingcali Accountants

This programme provides affordable, professional financial services to township enterprises while also offering SAICA-accredited training to aspiring young accountants. It’s a win-win situation: local businesses grow stronger, while youth receive practical experience toward professional certification.

Airbnb Social Impact experience

Our Airbnb Experiences create authentic cultural interactions that boost both tourism and income by bringing our community together with the outside world. Visitors learn about Just Grace’s history while also getting a first-hand experience of the different programmes.

Each of our enterprises is designed to provide more than just financial benefits. They are vehicles for real-world work preparation, providing our trainees with direct access to employers, projects, and business operations, as well as entrepreneurial pathways that boost confidence and the ability to launch independent companies.

WHAT'S NEXT?

We are just getting started. We’re looking into expanding Cela Coffee to new businesses and events in Cape Town and beyond. Our goal is to continue to grow, allowing us to continue serving even when donor environments vary. We are improving digital marketing and collaborations to increase exposure and sales across all enterprises. We’re thrilled about the journey ahead, but we realise it’ll need a village and a vision.

JOIN US IN POWERING PURPOSE

At Just Grace, we believe that social enterprise is more than a buzzword; it’s a tool for justice, dignity, and systemic change. Every coffee you sip, every handmade product you purchase, and every experience you book brings us closer to a more equitable South Africa. Support us. Partner with us. Walk with us. Together, we can turn enterprise into empowerment.

Click here to make a purchase.

Building Safe Spaces: How Just Grace Supports Child Protection Every Day

By Yanga Swana (Community Development Head of Programmes)

As we observe Child Protection Month, we are reminded of the importance of creating safe, supportive environments where children and young people can grow, learn, and thrive. Child Protection Month is aimed at raising awareness about children’s often forgotten rights, safety, and well-being. At Just Grace, child protection isn’t something we focus on just one month a year – it is embedded in everything we do.

From high schools in Langa to homes, our four core programmes work together to ensure children and youth are not only protected from harm but are also empowered to shape brighter futures.

Why Child Protection Month Matters

Child Protection Month is a national campaign aimed at raising awareness of children’s rights and promoting their safety and well-being. It is a time when people of different communities, sectors and institutions can come together to show solidarity in the protection of our children. In many communities, including the one we serve, children face challenges such as violence, abuse, neglect, poverty, and limited access to quality education and healthcare. This is why a holistic approach is needed in this fight. This month serves as a reminder to everyone to take action, not only this month but every day thereafter.

At Just Grace, we believe child protection means more than physical safety. It means equipping young people with the skills, support systems, and opportunities they need to lead fulfilling lives – free from fear, harm, or exploitation.

A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO CHILD AND YOUTH SAFTEY

Our response to child protection is holistic and long-term. Each of our programmes addresses a different but interconnected part of a child’s world – school, home, community, and future.

Here’s how each programme plays a role in safeguarding and supporting the children and youth of Langa:

Qhubeka Youth Development Programme: Long-Term Support for Youth

Starting in Grade 8, learners join a multi-year journey that continues through further education or employment. This programme offers:

  • Academic support
  • Life skills training
  • Computer literacy and coding
  • Literacy clubs
  • Personal development
  • Psycho-social support

By building strong, trusting relationships with youth over time, we create an environment where they feel seen, heard, and supported. This consistency helps identify risks early and provide timely intervention.

Phuhlisa School Strengthening Programme: A Safety Net in the Classroom

Our team of social workers partner with five high schools to support the well-being and academic progress of at-risk learners through:

  • Counselling
  • Home visits
  • Life skills development
  • Parent support groups

Schools are often the first-place where signs of neglect or abuse appear. Through this programme, we work closely with teachers and social workers to make sure no child falls through the cracks.

Phakama Youth Activation Programme: Reconnecting Disengaged Youth

Unemployed and disengaged youth are especially vulnerable to crime, substance abuse, and unsafe environments. This programme helps them reconnect with their potential through:

  • Skills training (in barista, sewing or accredited accounting technicians training)
  • Professional and personal development
  • Digital literacy training
  • Job readiness and placement

By reigniting hope and ambition, we provide a protective layer against risky paths and help build more stable, empowered futures.

Empilweni Thriving Communities Programme: Healing and Resilience for Safer Homes

A child cannot thrive in a home or community filled with unresolved trauma or harmful social norms. This programme promotes mental health and community resilience by offering:

  • Psychosocial support and trauma counselling
  • Community education on harmful beliefs and behaviours
  • Family and individual therapy

When we address the root causes of violence and instability, we create a safer environment not only for children but for everyone in the community.

Child Protection Is Our Everyday Commitment

During Child Protection Month, we may wear green ribbons and share stories – but at Just Grace, our work is grounded in the everyday actions that keep children safe and give them the tools to succeed.

Whether it’s helping a learner pass matric, guiding a young adult into a first job, or supporting a family through crisis, we are committed to protecting and uplifting every young person we encounter.

How You Can Help

Join us in building safe spaces for children and youth:

  • Volunteer your time or skills
  • Donate to support our ongoing work
  • Share this message to raise awareness

Together, we can create a future where every child grows up safe and supported.

Agcobile’s Path to Success with the Phakama! Youth Activation Programme

 

In South Africa, the journey from education to employment is often fraught with challenges. With youth unemployment rates at a staggering 43%, many young individuals struggle to find a foothold in the job market.

The Phakama! Youth Activation Programme aims to bridge this gap, offering essential skills and opportunities to youth who are otherwise excluded from the formal job market. Through our targeted streams, including barista training, we equip young people with both the technical and personal and professional development training needed to thrive in the workforce. Agcobile Mhlambiso, a 23-year-old from the Langa, is one such example. When she joined our barista training intake in January 2023, Agcobile had been facing the common hurdle of finding meaningful employment. However, after completing the Phakama! Barista Training Programme, Agcobile’s future took an exciting new direction. 

NEW OPPORTUNITIES

Agcobile’s story is a testament to the power of skills development programmes in providing youth with the tools they need to break the cycle of unemployment. After completing the programme, she was able to secure a job at Bootleggers, a popular coffee shop in the Western Cape. Agcobile loves her work and describes her favourite part of the job as seeing customers happy with the coffees she creates. 

By April 2023, Agcobile had not only completed her Barista training but had also received valuable professional and personal development training that boosted her confidence and equipped her with the skills needed for the service industry. According to Annie Smith, Programme Manager, Agcobile’s hardworking attitude and natural, friendly demeanour made her a perfect fit for the service industry. “She is a natural,” Annie says, “her commitment and willingness to learn really shone through during the training. Agcobile took the opportunity given to her by Just Grace and made the most of it. We are very proud of the way she has put the things she learned into practise, and has excelled in her field.” 

A CHAMPIONSHIP VICTORY

In November 2024, Agcobile’s dedication and hard work were tested when she entered the Bootleggers Western Cape Barista Championship. Agcobile emerged victorious, taking home the championship title. This achievement stands as a testament to her resilience, talent, and the practical impact of skills development programmes like Phakama! in opening doors to meaningful and lasting employment opportunities.

A BRIGHT FUTURE AHEAD

Agcobile’s journey reflects what is possible when young people are given the tools, mentorship, and opportunities to succeed. From struggling to find a way into the workforce, Agcobile is now a shining example of the power of perseverance and the transformative potential of skills training. Her story reinforces the importance of programmes like Phakama! in empowering youth, fostering self-sufficiency, and providing a path out of the NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training) cycle.

At Just Grace, we are immensely proud of Agcobile’s accomplishments. Her success is a reminder that with the right support, determination, and a love for what you do, anything is possible.

The Urgent Call for Action: Addressing Gender-Based Violence in South Africa



THE NEED

In South Africa, despite significant strides in nationwide initiatives and progressive constitutional measures aimed at combating gender-based violence (GBV), a harsh reality persists, casting a pervasive shadow over countless lives and communities.

Statistics reveal the stark reality of South Africa’s battle against GBV; termed the “rape capital of the world,” the nation witnessed a staggering 10,818 reported rape cases in the first quarter of 2022 alone. Shockingly, the rate of women killed by intimate partners in South Africa is five times higher than the global average (1). These figures underscore the pressing need for intervention and prevention initiatives to address GBV effectively. With Sustainable Development Goal 5 aiming to achieve gender equality and to empower all women and girls by 2030, urgent action is required to tackle this crisis and protect the most vulnerable members of society.

The effects of GBV and crime extend far beyond the immediate acts, profoundly affecting individuals and communities alike. GBV, in its various forms, inflicts enduring harm, negatively impacting women’s physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health (2). Additionally, GBV poses a significant economic burden; in 2019, estimates revealed that South Africa incurred losses exceeding R36 billion in medical expenses, human capital, and judicial costs as a result of gender-based violence (3). Persistent public attitudes, political inertia, and institutional challenges serve to entrench GBV, highlighting the urgent need for collaborative efforts to confront and eradicate these pervasive issues.

The need for interventions and programmes addressing GBV and crime in South Africa is clear. The stark statistics and profound impacts underscore the urgency of comprehensive efforts to prevent, address, and eliminate gender-based violence. It is important for all stakeholders, including NGOs, to actively contribute to raising awareness and providing support to victims of GBV and crime.

OUR APPROACH

Our Empilweni! Thriving Communities Programme adopts a dual approach that recognises the need for both preventative measures and victim support. 

Aligned with South Africa’s National Action Plan to End Gender Violence, which underscores the necessity of preventive measures like increasing awareness and education about GBV, as well as challenging harmful gender norms, our programme places prevention at the forefront. Each year, we conduct GBV workshops reaching hundreds of community members, aiming to educate and raise awareness about the root causes and dynamics of GBV and crime. These workshops specifically target masculinity within the context of GBV, engaging groups of men within the community as active participants in combating GBV. 

This approach acknowledges the vital role men play in addressing GBV Beyond prevention, our programme extends crucial support to victims of gender-based violence and crime. Our team of social workers, trained in the trauma-informed approach, provide counselling, home visits, referrals and safety planning, ensuring survivors receive the comprehensive assistance they need to navigate their recovery journey. 

Our emphasis on psychosocial support services recognises the profound impact of trauma on survivors’ mental and physical well-being. By offering a holistic support network, we empower individuals to break free from the cycles of abuse and rebuild their lives with dignity and resilience.

(1) Https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10091185

(2) Https://www.researchgate.net/publication/350337072_The_Prevalence_of_Gender-Based_Violence_against_Women_in_South_Africa_A_Call_for_Action (researchgate.net)

(3) Https://www.researchgate.net/publication/350337072_The_Prevalence_of_Gender-Based_Violence_against_Women_in_South_Africa_A_Call_for_Action

 

CRAFTING SUCCESS: NOKUTULA’S JOURNEY

With youth unemployment rates soaring, it has become crucial to provide avenues for skill acquisition and economic empowerment. With a mission to instill valuable skills, the Just Grace Phakama! Youth Activation Programme offers a path for youth to break out of the NEET (Not in Employment, Education, or Training) cycle and acquire the skills necessary for meaningful employment opportunities. Our course has three streams, all aimed at holistically developing youth with both the technical skills and soft skills for success.

Among our many graduates who have found amazing employment opportunities stands Nokutula, a resilient young woman whose journey from student to employed exemplifies the transformative power of skills development programmes and Just Grace’s efficacy in nurturing talent and fostering self-sufficiency.

A TESTAMENT TO RESILIENCE AND AMBITION

Nokutula’s enrollment in our programme in 2023 began at a crossroads in her life. She had graduated from matric in 2017 but had been unemployed for six years. Nokutula completed our Phakama Skills Development Programme sewing stream and emerged from the programme as a proficient seamstress. One of Nokutula’s favorite aspects of the course was our holistic approach, which strongly emphasizes professional and personal development training. She remarked, “Just Grace is not only giving us skills but teaching us how to face the real world, giving us the opportunity to prove what we are capable of.”

Upon completing the course, Nokutula was assisted in finding a one-year learnership at Rowdy Bags, a trendy Cape Town company known for its quality leather product craftsmanship. As part of the Rowdy Bags team, Nokutula has been learning the intricacies of bag making and has gained invaluable experience in the industry.

A Budding Entrepreneur Emerges

Nokutula’s internship has ignited her passion for the industry. Fueled by her newly acquired sewing skills, she took a bold step towards entrepreneurship by purchasing her own sewing machine and she has now began crafting her own line of cosmetic bags, which she sells in her community. Each piece is a testament to her skill and artistry.

IMPACT BEYOND MEASURE

Nokutula is an inspiration to other young people, encouraging them to pursue their passions and seize opportunities for skills development. Her journey is a testament to her resilience and a reflection of the profound impact of skills development programmes in helping youth break out of the NEET cycle. Initiatives like the Just Grace Skills Development Programme play a vital role in this transformation.

As we celebrate her achievements, we also reaffirm our commitment to nurturing talent, fostering innovation, and building a brighter future in our community.

Alumni Spotlight: Khanya Mtamzeli

Meet Khanya, a remarkable individual and proud YDP Alumni! 🎓 In 2019, Khanya graduated high school, carrying with him a wealth of experiences from his time as a Just Grace learner. 

Reflecting on his experience at Just Grace, Khanya lists the below as highlights and key enablers: 

✨ Personalised instruction and support  

✨ A flexible learning environment  

✨ Learning new skills, particularly in effective communication  

✨ Boosted confidence and motivation  

✨ Witnessing the tangible results of hard work 

Khanya has a passion for numbers and data, and is currently in his final year of BSc in Mathematical and Statistical Science at the University of the Western Cape.

Khanya’s future aspirations are nothing short of inspiring:  

🎓 Pursuing higher degrees in Mathematics and Statistics, including honours, masters, and potentially a PhD.  

💼 Working in fields that leverage statistical and mathematical expertise, such as data science and academic research.  

🌍 Dreaming big – inspired by his time as part of Just Grace, he envisions using his skills to help future generations.

Not just a dreamer, Khanya is actively contributing to the academic community at UWC. He serves as a Statistics tutor and holds the role of Vice Treasurer at the UWC Math Club. 

Khanya’s dedication and passion for education are truly remarkable, and we are proud to have him as part of our alumni community.

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