Vuyani Timeline
2025 – 2000
2025
July
Building Project Phase 2
Construction on Phase 2 of our building project will soon begin, thanks to new donations and cost-saving by the board.
2025
April
New social worker
Welcome to Alicia Daniels, our new social worker—joining the team with passion and dedication.
Flat renovation at our Thanduxolo house.
Thank you, Juffrou Regina Bosman, for more than 3 years of tutoring and literacy support to our older learners.
2025
March
Farewell to beloved social worker
Farewell to Chandre Frohlick, Vuyani’s social worker of 7 years and beloved advocate for children.
2025
March
UK Charity football
UK Charity football match raises 105% of target—Devonshire Jesters vs SA XI boosts our building fund.
2025
March
Longstanding board members
We honour Harold and Catherine Steven-Jennings—longstanding board members and steadfast supporters since 2010.
2023
Extra maths
Extra Maths Classes and tutoring by a secondary phase teacher for our older children now also funded by the Rupert Foundation.
2023
CEFA Training
Five of Vuyani’s caregivers completed their CEFA training as Child and Youth Care Workers funded by the DG Murray Trust.
A friends of Vuyani group put together a Birthday party every 2 months for our kids Vuyani’s kids started with computer classes and now utilize our computer facility for assignments and projects.
2022
Behaviour and trauma management
Internal monthly staff training to support behaviour and trauma management for Vuyani’s caregivers.
2022
Holistic professional therapy
Funding from the Rupert Education Trust in 2022 now supports all the holistic professional therapy services rendered to our children.
2021
Cradock Street Property
Our Cradock Street property was transferred to Vuyani Safe Haven after many years.
2021
Thanduxolo House
Vuyani acquired Thanduxolo House in Bourke Street for our older children through funding from the National Lotteries Commission.
2021
Lena Adams
Lena Adams, one of the Vuyani’s Founder members in 2000, passed away on 31 July 2021. She served loyally to the end – first as mother of the children and since 2015 as Board member.
2021
SA College for Toursim
Nosipho Witbooi, at Vuyani since 2010, completed her 12-month SA College for Tourism / Drostdy Hotel Learnership Programme and in December she was employed as chef at Samara Private Game Reserve.
2020
Food parcels
Vuyani distributed 1300 food parcels to needy families in Graaff-Reinet district through the KFC Add Hope Foundation and the support of local stakeholders.
2020
Vuyani Learning Centre assists
Vuyani Learning Centre assisted all our school-going children until schools opened again.
2020
Covid 19 ...
Plans were underway for Vuyani Safe Haven’s 20 Year Celebration – And then Covid-19 happened
- Vuyani as an Essential Service, under the leadership of our management team and with full co-operation of loyal staff stayed open to render care to our vulnerable children.
- After a DQA visit from the Sara Baartman district office of the Dept. of Social Development Vuyani’s 5-year Renewal Application was approved.
2020
Nosipho Witbooi
Nosipho Witbooi, who came to Vuyani as a 10-year old completed her matric certificate successfully and was enrolled as student at the SA College of Tourism.
2020
New school clothes
The year started great: All our children back to school in brand new school clothes
2019
Year of the drought
We remember 2019 as the year of the drought
- The Nqweba dam ran dry, but Gift of the Givers came to the aid of the town and Vuyani.
- Vuyani was greatly supported by different Volunteer programs, especially Lathallan Schools from Scotland and Samara Private Game Reserve’s Volunteer Program
2019
New branding
Vuyani’s new branding implemented and eco programs with Samara
2018
Vuyani Learning Centre
Vuyani’s Learning Centre opened, Hildegarde Brummer appointed as full-time manager and Chandre Rhoode appointed as Social Worker.
2017
Lotto approved
LOTTO application for funding approved. More support from businesses and the community
2016
Increase in monthly donations
A growing increase in monthly donations lead to more sustainability
2015
PR & Marketing Post
PR & Marketing Post
The board creates the PR & Marketing post to work towards financial stability through regular donations, applications for funding and other fundraising efforts, e.g. Add Hope Foundation
2013 - 14
NPO Training & Management
Vuyani Board received training in NPO management and reviewed the Vision, Mission and Constitution.
- Provisional Registration of Vuyani as a Child and Youth Centre
- Necessary HR Policies and other required policies put in place
2012
More care-givers
More Sleep-in caregivers are employed to improve services to our children.
2012
Business Plan approved
Business Plan approved by the Department of Social Development and Vuyani received a subsidy for 20 children from 2012
- 3-Year funding through the Rupert Educational Trust for key staff
- Appointment of Fulltime Social Worker brings professionalism in dealing with the statutory requirements of the children’s act
- Stanley Accounting places Vuyani’s finances in good order through strict financial Policies.
2011
Vuyani greets Moira Strauss
Vuyani greets Moira Strauss on her leaving for Calitzdorp in 2011
2011
NPO certificate received
NPO certificate received
Graaff-Reinet Area office of Social Development wants Vuyani to move towards a Child and Youth Care Centre as indicated by the new Children’s Act
2010
Volunteer Program
Volunteer Program initiated by Samara Private Game Reserve
2010
Fulltime Manager
Appointment of a fulltime Manager
2007
Thanduxolo Boy’s Home
Thanduxolo Boy’s Home
Opens at the Station master’s house in Reinetpark under Lena Adams
2003
Vuyani moves to 87 Cradock Street
Vuyani moves to 87 Cradock Street
First Vuyani Safe Haven Board
First Vuyani Safe Haven Board
2000
First intake of Children
Vuyani Safe Haven receives their first intake of Children
