Sanele Ncayiyana

Community Youth Heroes

Nominee's Province:
Kwazulu-natal

Age:
27

Project Name/Description:
Ikusasa NPO

More info:
https://www.facebook.com/sanele.ncayiyana

When Sanele Ncayiyana, 27, from KwaMashu, north of Durban, learned that many primary school learners in her township dropped out of school because they had no stationery and school bags, she was moved to do something. She founded Ikusasa, a non-profit organisation (NPO) that has so far provided more than 800 school children, particularly those in grade 4, with school bags and stationery. This grade is more susceptible to dropping out of school. The NPO launched Little Farmers, a practical initiative that teaches grade 4s how to run a small-scale egg production farm. Proceeds from the initiative help schools repair broken windows and other infrastructure. The learners are taught egg production and they, in turn, pass the knowledge to their parents and other members of the community. Additionally, Ikusasa has also distributed food and groceries to more than 1,000 families in the township. Ncayiyana is also the managing director of Sanele Speaks, which focuses on how start-ups can survive and prosper. She advises: “Start with your knees trembling, palms sweating and stomach turning. Just start. You will never be more prepared than you are now in this moment,” says Ncayiyana.