Community & Impact

Thembi Mdluli – Community Leadership & Enterprise Development, Mpumalanga

My connection with South Africa began many years ago through visits to Kruger National Park and the surrounding communities of Mpumalanga.

During this time, I met Thembi Mdluli — a visionary community leader whose work has spanned more than two decades. Since establishing her non-profit organisation in 2003, Thembi has supported her community through practical, hands-on initiatives including:

School feeding programmes
Distribution of uniforms and hygiene products
HIV counselling and youth guidance
Housing support initiatives
Skills development programmes

Over time, her work has evolved toward sustainable enterprise development, fostering long-term economic independence. Current projects include small-scale furniture production, poultry farming, and most recently, oyster mushroom and herb cultivation.

Her initiative has been selected for entrepreneurship training under Indalo, recognising its regional impact and potential. Discussions are underway to supply fresh produce to private game lodges within the Sabi Sands Reserve and Kruger National Park, demonstrating a sophisticated integration of local enterprise with premium hospitality ecosystems.

This progression illustrates a deliberate shift from traditional aid towards community-rooted innovation and leadership.