ABCD-Training-of-Trainers-Tools-July-2013

Example of a South African Community-Driven Development Case Study (1)
(Source: Ninnette Eliasov/Ikhala Trust)
Kwenzekile Community Development Centre (KCDC)
Tsolo, Eastern Cape
There is a South African saying that women are the rock of the nation. This cannot be more true when
describing late Sheila Ndakisa, the matriarch of the Ndakisa family and inspiration behind the
Kwenzekile Community Development Centre (KCDC) near Tsolo in Eastern Cape.
The centre is on the family property in Sidwadweni village 25 km north of Mthatha on the N2 route to
Durban – South Africa’s third largest city nested on its sunny Eastern coast.
Sheila Ndakisa is described as a woman of vision, a community worker who was always keen to help. She
was well known for her generosity, conviction and spiritual centre and was the backbone of her family.
When Reverend Ian and his wife Maryanne Wylie came to Mthatha in 1990 – he joined part of a
generation of Scottish priests who lived and worked in the former Homelands. He asked Sheila if she
would interpret in their church and this is how these two families became so deeply connected.
Although Mama Sheila was not paid a salary as such, the Wylies contributed in other ways by helping
her establish a home and educate her children. When Bongi took supplementary examinations for her
final year of High School, it was the Wylie’s who encouraged her to use the year productively and do a
computer and administration course.
It was through their referral in 2001 that Bongi and her sister were employed by READ Educational Trust
– a non-governmental organization (NGO) encouraging literacy and access to education. They went to
live in Johannesburg and became exposed to the NGO environment. When the Director of READ
(Cynthia Hugo) mentioned her daughter in the UK was seeking a child minder, Bongi’s sister – always
hungry for adventure grabbed the opportunity with both hands. This is how Bongi landed up following
her to England a few months later.
Bongi returned from the UK carrying two computers that her sister had invested in, a personal lap top
and printer. With her family behind her she was ready to start. Through her network other resources
were mobilized as well as a group of friends- five women (and one man) to run the Centre with her. The
Centre started with photocopying and faxing services and has held two computer courses. It is currently
open seven days a week and provides a full range of services. It also facilitates partnerships with others
organizations who are eager to work in the area. The relationship with READ has formalized over time
and a library is being jointly set up in the local primary school. Cynthia in her private capacity continues
to assist with fund-raising and mentorship.
Through READ, Bongi linked with Derek Potgieter – who became a KCDC Board member and is active in
a vegetable garden project in the local school. He also motivates the school teachers and supports the
library initiative. It was Derek who introduced KCDC to Ikhala Trust who have come on board as a first
funder. Ikhala provides ongoing mentoring and support and small financial contributions. They have also
assisted KCDC to forge links were with SmartBytes for accreditation purposes and this has added
credibility to KCDC’s training program. Besides providing a range of services in the community,
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