Mpho Salaminah Mofokeng

Heroes in Communities, Sport, Arts & Culture

Nominee's Province:
Gauteng

Age:
32

Project Name/Description:

More info:

“Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and can – therefore – be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings.” This quote by Nelson Mandela is Mpho Mofokeng’s motto. It is what the president and co-founder of the Life 4 U Foundation hopes to achieve through her NPO. The NPO, which caters for the communities of Tembisa, Ivory Park and surrounding townships, works with vulnerable children, the elderly and the unemployed youth, where the daily feeding scheme caters for 384 000+ community members on an annual basis. There is also support for funerals of indigent families and assistance to disaster-stricken and poverty-stricken families with food parcels. Mofokeng’s NPO also provides spiritual counselling and motivation to widows in Gauteng townships. According to Mofokeng, the youth-development programme links unemployed youth with work opportunities. “We also assist the youth obtain their driver’s licences, specifically those in need of a Code C in conjunction with the public driving permit. We also offer accredited short courses in ICT, cashier training and plumbing. Annually, our organisation reaches and supports 2 000+ unemployed youth.” The diligent helper says she enjoys supporting her community. “I become fulfilled when I see people developing and exiting the cycle of poverty.”