About Us
We come alongside youth to cultivate character-based decision-making skills, so that together, we live lives worthy of imitation.
WHO WE ARE
Our name is our mission. Sihamba Sonke means Walking Together in isiXhosa, one of South Africa's official languages.
We are a registered non-profit organisation that works with mentorship at community level to raise up the next generation.
We started in the village of Zithulele in the deep rural Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, near the childhood home of Nelson Mandela, liberation leader and South Africa’s first black president.
Our projects have always focused on young people, since 62% of the population is aged under 35. Programmes also have more impact to affect cultural change in younger people.
Key statistics: South Africa
31.9% National Unemployment (2024)
19% of rural children grow up with both parents
21% of people in the Eastern Cape province have finished school
Neuroscience teaches us that identity, belonging, and mentorship are key factors for transformation.
This understanding guides the three pillars that support our programmes: impact the individual, mentorship, and healthy community.
Our
Approach
Our model is shaped by neuroscience and transformation theory and focuses on three pillars:
Develop facilitators into mentors
We train facilitators who mature into mentors with high emotional intelligence and strong relational skills.
Grow individuals with character
Our Move with Purpose chess curriculum develops cognitive skills and positive life values. Our mentors help participants discover their identity and purpose to lay a strong foundation for personal growth.
Cultivate healthy community
Group identity is important in character development. Participants are guided toward caring communities like youth groups and chess clubs that model positive values.
