Umthathi Training Project has decided to relocate from Market Square to Extension 7 in order to narrow
the gap between their offices and the community they work and engage with.
Umthathi Training Project has decided to relocate from Market Square to Extension 7 in order to narrow
the gap between their offices and the community they work and engage with.
The move is planned for December and this week they kicked off their fundraising campaign with an open day.
Vegetable samoosas and cheerful performances by the Samuel Ntsiko School choir and dancers from CM Vellum created an upbeat feel.
Umthathi Chairperson Shireen Badat celebrated the wide variety of attendees from the Grahamstown community.
“Currently Umthathi is not sustainable; we do not have our own building,” said Marlene Mitchener, Umthathi training project director.
“This is a dream move,” said an adamant Umthathi supporter Harry Rama of Grahamstown Glass. “It is central to many positive things to follow.”
There are multiple advantages to the move for both employees and beneficiaries of Umthathi as many employees live in the area and will have easier access to their place of work.
“Most of the people that need training are rural people,” said Xoliswa Maaotla, Umthathi’s longest serving employee.
The move makes the offices more accessible for everyone who make use of their services. There are also financial motivations for the move.
NGOs are not immune to economic downturns; donors dry up when social and economic circumstances for the needy are at their most unstable.
The current location incurs unnecessary rent costs which is in conflict the NGO’s message to the community of sustainability.
Funders are increasingly expecting NGOs to pull some of their own weight and demonstrate an attempt to be self sustaining.
“We have gone through some desperate, desperate times at Umthathi,” admits Mitchener, but adds that they are back on track and their goals have not changed.
Umthathi’s mission within the community is threefold; to teach households to feed themselves, to improve nutrition through the intake of fresh produce and ultimately to train participants in business skills.
Food makes up a significant percentage of household expenditure. In an area where over 72% of people are living on less than R7 a day, decreasing food expenditure becomes a crucial skill.
“People lose their dignity when they need to resort to begging,” said Mitchener, “We aim to give them that back.”
Despite existing buildings on the current site in Extension 7, many improvements are required including revamping of toilet facilities, flooring, ceilings, store rooms, equipment and new furniture.
The building aims to be safe, comfortable, sustainably and eco-friendly. “Come be mad with us and make a difference!” said Rama, encouraging Grahamstown locals to be generous.
