Soon after, Nomawethu joined the team of our partner AMANDLA to coordinate activities at the first safe-hub in Khayelitsha. Since 2012, she has held various positions and helped building signature programmes such as life skills training and the PlayMaker programme. Today, she leads national operations across 11 Safe Hubs across South Africa, enabling disadvantaged young people from the townships the opportunity to realise their full potential.

Education, entrepreneurship, sports and health: the AMANDLA Safe Hubs in South African townships will create fair opportunities and new possibilities for up to 200,000 young people in the coming years. The model focuses on holistic support and helps disadvantaged children and young people to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty and transforms neglected communities into places of hope.

A world of equal opportunities in which young people can realise their full potential and achieve their dreams – regardless of their background.

Safe Hubs are more than just educational and sports campuses – they are places of equal opportunity where young people can realise their full potential. Through integrated programmes in the areas of education, health, entrepreneurship and employability, Safe Hubs address the root causes of poverty, unemployment and inequality.

The Safe Hub model brings together partner organisations from the education, social enterprise and health sectors to provide participants with free opportunities to flourish and develop. These include psychosocial support, the special ‘EduFootball Programme’ to teach values and soft skills through sport, and business incubation courses that serve as a springboard for start-ups from the townships.

Another important part of the Safe Hub infrastructure is the Digital Lab, where young people not only develop relevant media skills, but also learn programming languages or receive further training in online marketing.

In addition, the safe hubs contribute to social and economic inclusion at community level by supporting health, environmental protection and local economic development.