Bulungula Incubator

09/08/2026

Wathint’ abafazi, wathint’ imbokodo. You strike a woman, you strike a rock.

29/07/2026

"We did that because we love and care about these families"
— Esethu Gwebindlala, SEF Programme Manager

One of the focus areas of the Social Employment Fund (SEF) programme, which has created 1,000 jobs in our community, is the establishment of 20 school and community food gardens. Together, these gardens provide food for over 3,000 people.

The produce is supplied to ECD centres, primary schools, Bulungula College, Madwaleni Hospital, Zithulele Hospital, local businesses and organisations (including Bulungula Lodge and the Bulungula Incubator), and distributed to vulnerable households through our Community Health Outreach Programme. In June alone, the gardens produced vegetables valued at R44,985.

Beyond the numbers, everything planted, grown, harvested and distributed is done with love and care. This is the village way ❤️🥬🥔

Read more about our SEF project: https://bulungulaincubator.org/creating-1000-local-jobs-through-the-social-employment-fund-a-partnership-with-the-nosintu-gwebindlala-foundation/

28/07/2026

Please join us as we gather to honour and remember the life of our beloved Sis Lindi. All are welcome 🕊️❤️

06/07/2026

It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of our dear colleague, friend, mentor, and leader, Lindiwe Tukane, affectionately known as “Sis Lindi”, on Sunday, 5 July 2026.

Sis Lindi joined the Bulungula Incubator in 2012 and quickly became an integral part of both our organisation and community. Over the years, she held several leadership roles within our organisation, including Education Programme Manager and Human Resources Manager. She also served on the Board of Directors of the Bulungula Incubator and was the current Chairperson of the Board of the Bulungula College, where her wisdom, guidance, and unwavering belief in the power of education helped shape the institution and support its growth.

To us, Sis Lindi was far more than a colleague. She was a trusted friend, a source of encouragement, a mentor, a neighbour, and a steady presence in both moments of challenge and moments of celebration. Her vibrancy, infectious sense of humour (and thunderous laugh), and deep care for others touched countless lives and left an indelible mark on our community.

Following a fire caused by a gas stove at her home on Friday, 3 July 2026, Sis Lindi was admitted to hospital for treatment of her injuries. Despite initial signs of recovery, she passed away on Sunday morning.

We extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, colleagues, and all those who had the privilege of knowing and working alongside her. While we mourn her loss, we also celebrate a remarkable life.

As our close-knit team processes this tragic loss, we kindly ask for your patience and understanding if there are delays in our responses to emails and other communications over the coming days.

If you would like to share a message, memory, or tribute to Sis Lindi, or if you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected].

Lala ngoxolo, Sis Lindi. We love you.

25/06/2026

We are excited to celebrate a historic milestone for Bulungula College: our first-ever tertiary graduates! 🎓

Most learners at Bulungula College are the first in their families to complete high school. Today, 46 Bulungula College alumni are studying at universities and colleges across South Africa, and now these trailblazers have reached another incredible "first"—our first alumni to complete their tertiary qualifications.

This blog is extra special because it was written by Bulungula College alumna Siziphiwe Malima, one of the graduates featured. After completing her BA in Humanities, majoring in Language Practice and Linguistics, at the University of Johannesburg, Siziphiwe is now pursuing a BA Honours in Applied Linguistics.

We hope you enjoy reading about a few of our graduates and celebrating this achievement with us. Halala BC alumni grads halala—we could not be prouder! 💙🧡

➡️ Read Siziphiwe's full blog: https://bit.ly/4vxxbO5

15/06/2026

The Bulungula Incubator has driven a 20-year ‘place-based’ transformation in the remote Eastern Cape region of Xhora Mouth, prioritising child development from infancy to career through interconnected health, nutrition and education programmes.

05/06/2026

Daily Maverick: While a high court order has mandated the deployment of two ambulances to the remote Xhora Mouth area in Elliotdale, Eastern Cape, poor road infrastructure and stalled clinic construction could undermine the sustainability of the service. In the meantime, people rely on local nonprofit initiatives, such as home-based carers, to fill the critical gaps in primary healthcare.

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While a high court order has mandated the deployment of two ambulances to the remote Xhora Mouth area in Elliotdale, Eastern Cape, poor road infrastructure and stalled clinic construction could underm…

28/05/2026

Exciting things are happening at Bulungula Lodge 🛖💙
Our community-owned eco-lodge is currently undergoing another major round of renovations and upgrades — helping strengthen and protect the future of the Lodge.

We are especially grateful to the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), whose support has made these renovations possible and has been a true lifeline for the Lodge during an incredibly difficult period for tourism. Their support helps ensure that Bulungula Lodge can remain 100% community-owned and run, with all profits continuing to be reinvested back into our community.

And thank you to all of our amazing guests and supporters near and far who continue to believe in and support the Bulungula vision... it truly takes a village 🌈

🔗 Read more about Bulungula Lodge's renovations since 2023: https://bit.ly/3Q75o7y
🌸 Stay at Bulungula Lodge: https://bulungula.co.za/

26/05/2026

18/05/2026

🔁 REPOST: Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism
Efforts to change our health system through a National Health Insurance scheme are tied up in court, awaiting rulings on whether public input was taken seriously enough. But while policy debate continues, on the ground, partnerships are quietly transforming care.

Our team travelled to remote villages like Nqileni on the Wild Coast, where accessing healthcare has long meant walking for hours, crossing rivers, or forking out for transport. But collaboration has changed that.

What began as a small eco-tourism project has grown into Bulungula Incubator, a community-driven initiative tackling, among other things, health. Community healthcare workers run like well-oiled machines, visiting households, monitoring child development and supporting parents. A simple medicine pick-up point has evolved into a close-to-home mini-clinic, with government staff.

The lesson is clear: when communities lead, and partners support, healthcare can work.

🔗 Watch the Health Beat episode here:

As the National Health Insurance Act stalls in court, Health Beat looks beyond policy to the people and partnerships keeping the country’s public health syst...