By Amy Carpenter | Project Manager
Two years ago, my month-long stay in South Africa was spent primarily in the majesty of the Drakensburg mountain range where I delivered two day-long workshops, toured with my family, and spent time with Barbara and JD Borgman. Somewhere along the way in those wonderful weeks, I fell in love with the country.
It’s now 2025 and I have been here nearly three months, traveling to many townships and marveling at the receptivity and openness of the people. Perhaps my love for the country fueled the partnerships Be Strong, Be Wise - South Africa has developed. Or perhaps there is a readiness that has been likewise building in the hearts and minds of the people I’ve had the honor of working with. Either way, an initiative that began with one small Pilot project in January, has blossomed into a dynamic interplay involving at least six different organizations, each serving hundreds of youth.
Thanks to our donors, Barbara Borgman, and Ubuntu Partners Trust, we’ve successfully delivered the training to now three different NGOs. Bridging the Gap (BTG), located outside Pietermaritzberg, was BSBW’s first Pilot project. Due to the unfailing commitment of Phumzile Ndlovu, its founder, the project has the potential to create lasting impact. The curriculum was presented to Traditional Leaders and Government groups, and when it received approval, became a viable course alternative for teaching young people how to build and sustain healthy relationships.
It was thrilling to work with the BTG team, who, true to the culture they serve, brought a natural enthusiasm and joy to the work. “They are singing Be Strong, Be Wise,” said Phumzile of her team’s eagerness to deliver the course to Zulu youth in the region.
Three weeks later, during an intensive two-day training, eleven youth leaders and counselors in Winterton and Bergville, discussed additional ways to apply the curriculum to Zulu culture, including (thank you, Joseph Dladla!) a fully translated teacher’s manual. Because the course offers fundamental tools to establishing healthy connections, there is a universal quality to it. But like the states, sexual violence is a taboo subject here. Although the South African government is committed to addressing the rise in gender-based violence, parents and teachers continue to shy away from the topic.
“Be Strong, Be Wise should be everywhere,” said Joseph Dladla, founder of Idwala Holistic Empowerment. “Community members and parents need it too.”
The following week, I traveled to the lush coastal city of Durban. Aside from getting horribly lost downtown in rush-hour traffic (GPS cannot be relied upon everywhere!), I found an instant affinity and shared understanding with Thembisile (Thembi) Ngcobo. Thembi is a seasoned social worker with well-established connections in the city. She introduced me to administrators at the local prison where we conducted a training with school social workers and staff from the facility. The roots will now continue to spread as social workers bring the course to local high schools, and prison staff bring it to inmates in the youth center.
Still, the requests keep coming. Three weeks ago, I decided to extend my stay another month in order to meet the needs of four other potential partners who’ve expressed interest in the course. Through the power of connection and purpose, the seeds that were planted with our partners have the potential to create lasting change in a part of the world gifted with magnificent beauty and massive social challenges.
Perhaps the best news of all: very quickly after meeting each other, Thembisile Ngcobo and I found a sisterhood - a shared understanding and commitment to continuing this work. Thanks to the openness of Ubuntu Partners Trust, Be Strong, Be Wise now has the potential to become a local non-profit, ensuring a lasting presence in the region.
It is with immense joy and gratitude that I now share the news that instead of ending, something may very well be starting.
Be Strong, Be Wise - South Africa has just begun.
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