Special Statement from Our Founder, Helen Lieberman
“I saw hope, and I wanted to be a part of that hope”
People often ask me why I went back into the townships after my first visit in 1963. The answer is simple: I saw hope, and I wanted to be a part of that hope. After experiencing the destructiveness of Apartheid, I wanted to join a movement towards a better future for the country. I also could not live with myself, knowing what I had just seen and knowing I could use my training and resources to assist.
The past sixty years have seen unbelievable growth. Ikamva Labantu has weathered many crises and celebrated countless achievements, all directed by the community whose voice and ownership are entrenched in everything we do. We bought land and built schools, preschools, older persons’ clubs, and multi-purpose centres. We helped young children, orphan children, school aged children, destitute people, the blind, the disabled and seniors. After many years we decided to concentrate our focus on our current areas: daycare, after-school programs and senior programs.
People always ask me, wasn’t I afraid of going into the townships? I was always protected by those I came to help. I felt no fear. I saw the wonder and the determination of dedicated individuals who were giving all they could to help others. I saw people tackle challenges and turn them into opportunities. Their selfless acts inspired and moved me so deeply and so powerfully that I could not sleep at night and would lie awake for hours figuring out how I could add value.
We hope you will join us later this year as we celebrate our important milestone.
Celebrating 60 years of Ikamva Labantu
During the 1960s, Helen Lieberman and a group of courageous activists embarked on a mission to change the devastating impact of the Apartheid system.
Although many of these unsung heroes are no longer with us, Helen and their families continue to honour the founder members of Ikamva Labantu by carrying on their selfless work to empower and uplift their neighbours. Their legacy of goodwill will endure for generations to come.
Initially, Ikamva Labantu started with humble beginnings, including small creative activities, preschools, council meetings for older person, marches, factories, and small businesses.
Today, the organisation is a registered non-profit and public benefit organisation with 122 employees, 90% of whom hail from the communities it serves. It has 3 core programmes; Early Childhood Development, Older Persons’ Programme and Afternoon Angels Afterschool Care Programme and continues to assist entrepreneurs and small businesses to thrive.
Explore the pivotal moments in over six decades of Ikamva Labantu’s rich history of serving and dedicating to improving the lives and opportunities of people living in township communities in South Africa.
*Click on the image for full view
Helen Lieberman: Courageous Activist
Helen has been working with people in the township communities for 60 years. Her heart lies with the people and that drives her passion to right the wrongs of Apartheid.
One Brick at a Time
The first school building built to serve hundreds of children in the townships.
Early Childhood Development
The first preschool Helen worked in. Children were happy, loved and taken care of.
Committee Members
A committee of dedicated activists, including founder Florence Dlamsha, worked with Nelson Mandela to build schools for 6000 children.
Madiba’s Support
Tata Nelson Mandela showing his support of Ikamva Labantu’s choir for the blind. One of the many activities that took place to uplift and empower people during a time when many were neglected.
Madiba Magic
These beautiful dolls were created by the mamas of Community Creations. Nelson Mandela himself signed the rights to Ikamva Labantu to create and sell the mabida dolls.
HIV AIDS Pandemic
Ikamva Labantu was very much involved in HIV AIDS awareness campaigns and support for families living with the disease. Many children were orphaned as a result of the pandemic and Helen supported them and found them loving homes and carers.
Older Person Power
Their voices were not silenced! Older people marched through the streets protesting against unfair and horrid conditions in the township communities.
Older Persons Programme
Tutu Gcememe saw the plight of older people- the neglect and the loneliness they were experiencing. She worked with Helen to establish the first social clubs for senior citizens, encouraging crafts, exercises, social activities and singing.
Marching Forward
People in the township communities lining the streets in protest during Apartheid.
Older Persons Unite
Mamas in the communities banded together to create Ithemba Labantwana – a programme that started to support and care for vulnerable children. Power of Ubuntu in action!
Beads for Africa
This factory in Cape Town was the start of what was to become community creations and the inspiration and foundation for what is now know as Ikamva Design. A group of women were trained to sew beautiful material dolls and create colourful and festive beaded items.
Time to Shine
Helen and a fellow activist Ruth Sokiyeka identified many challenges in the township communities during the unjust Apartheid regime. This led to the opening of the first school for children with disabilities around 50 years ago.
Community Creations
The first Community Creations brochure. Community Creations empowered mamas from the townships and harnessed their skills and talent for beading, sewing and embroidery. They sold their beautiful creations, creating income generation opportunities.
Daycare Centre Project
Helen and mamas came together to care for children of working parents. That was the start of educares in the township communities.
Youth Development Programme
Helen put together picture boards over the years which she would use to help fundraise for the organisation, showcasing the various projects and telling stories about the incredible selfless individuals.
Ikamva Labantu Activities
Helen has collected photographs of memorable moments throughout the 6 decades of Ikamva Labantu’s rich history. From the 1960s Ikamva Labantu, in its infancy, joined hands with community members to develop the established and growing programmes it has today.
Community Celebration
Donors came together to partner with Helen and other community members and donated wheelchairs to those who were in need. A day of celebration at Rainbow centre in Khayelitsha.
A Blanket Solution
The first blanket factory in the townships contributing to the socio-economic upliftment of the area.
Meeting with a Purpose
A group of mamas meeting with Helen to find ways to alleviate the poverty and hardship that people were experiencing in the horrific Apartheid regime. Later, this building was bombed to try and stop the mamas. Many times they were arrested and restrained, but these formidable women were a force to be reckoned with.
The Start of Movement
With the help of donors, Helen was able to build 100 preschools in the townships from the 1970s.
Food for the Soul
Helen created the first music school in the streets of the townships bringing joy and laughter to the children in poverty-stricken areas.
Joburg Reach
A committee of dedicated individuals working in Johannesburg township communities.
Food Programme
Food relief programmes began in the 1960s and are still run by by many women in the townships today. Food was provided for hundreds of families and donations poured in to help to the sum of R5 Million Rand.
Brave Hearts
Helen met many courageous men and women over the last 60 years, some went out of their way to help her and protect her as she was not allowed in the townships. Maggie Bugo was one such woman who laid by Helen’s side as they protested against their houses being bulldozed by the Apartheid police.
Royal Honour
Helen opened up a bakery (which was the beginning of what is knowns today as Albany) in the townships which was forbidden during the Apartheid era. Nevertheless, she pushed through Prince Phillip donated towards the bakery project which was used to purchase the big machinery required to make the bread.