Mamelani

23/06/2026

Talking Transitions | June Session

Thank you to SA Children's Home for hosting our June Talking Transitions session.

During the session, staff reflected on the developmental relationships that shaped their own journeys into adulthood and explored how we can intentionally create these experiences for young people transitioning from care. One participant shared, "My friends and family encouraged me to push through," reminding us of the important role relationships play during times of change and uncertainty.

Together, we unpacked what it means to Express Care, Provide Support, Challenge Growth, Share Power, and Expand Possibilities, recognising that meaningful transitions are built through everyday moments of trust, encouragement, support, and opportunity.

One of the strongest reflections from the day was the importance of moving beyond doing things for young people and creating more opportunities to do things with them. Young people need opportunities to make decisions, take responsibility, make mistakes, and learn from them. When they are trusted, included, and supported through these experiences, they build the confidence, skills, and resilience needed to navigate adulthood and an ever-changing world.

23/06/2026

🎬 United & Unique is now available to watch.

We're proud to be part of *United & Unique*, a powerful documentary created through a collaboration between Queen's University Belfast, VOYPIC (Voice of Young People in Care), the Children's Institute at UCT, and Mamelani Projects.

The documentary centres the voices and lived experiences of care-experienced young people from Cape Town and Belfast, exploring themes of identity, belonging, resilience, and what it means to navigate life beyond care.

Through honest storytelling and shared reflection, United & Unique creates space for young people to be heard, seen, and recognised as experts in their own experiences.

We invite you to watch, listen, and learn from the powerful stories shared by the young people who helped shape this project.

🔗 Watch the full documentary via the link in our bio.

Let's continue to amplify youth voices and create spaces where young people can tell their own stories.

16/06/2026

Supporting youth. Building resilience. Creating belonging.

This Youth Day, we celebrate the courage, strength, and potential of young people as they shape their own futures and navigate their unique journeys.

At Mamelani, we believe that when young people are met with care, connection, and opportunities to grow, they can thrive and lead meaningful change in their communities and beyond.

Today, we honour the voices, dreams, and determination of young people across South Africa.

Happy National Youth Day.

06/06/2026

Young people need safe, healthy, and supportive environments to grow, learn, and thrive.

At Mamelani, we walk alongside young people as they navigate transition, build resilience, strengthen connections, and shape brighter futures for themselves and their communities.

This World Environment Day, we're reminded that the environments that nurture growth are not only the natural spaces around us, but also the relationships, communities, and opportunities that help young people flourish.

03/06/2026

Celebrating Being African

Our recent Building Bridges session created space for young people from South Africa and those with migration backgrounds to come together, share experiences, and engage in meaningful conversations about identity, belonging, and the realities affecting their communities. Through conversation, reflection, laughter, and a shared meal, young people explored being what is means to be African with empathy, curiosity, and respect. We even had the opportunity to learn a phrase from everyone presents mother tongue!!

One of the most powerful outcomes was seeing young people listen to perspectives different from their own and deepen their understanding of one another's experiences. At Mamelani, we believe that creating spaces for connection, reflection, and understanding helps build stronger relationships and a greater sense of belonging.

01/06/2026

Happy International Children's Day.

For us, this day is a reminder that the right to care, support, and belonging doesn't have an age limit.

We work alongside young people who have grown up in alternative care, supporting their transitions into adulthood with developmental programmes, mentorship, and genuine community.

Today we celebrate them. Their resilience. Their voice. Their futures.

This June is Youth Month — follow along as we share the stories of young people shaping their own paths.

27/05/2026

Last week, we hosted our Programme Presentation for young people interested in joining the ProSEED Youth Development Programme at Mamelani Projects 🌱

The session created space for young people to learn more about the journey ahead, what support looks like during the transition into adulthood, and the different opportunities for growth and connection within the programme.

Young people were introduced to focus areas including independent living skills, education and career guidance, mental health and wellbeing, building support networks, and navigating life after care. These journeys are supported through individual mentoring, experiential group sessions, and wilderness experiences.

The presentation also gave young people an opportunity to ask questions, connect with one another, and reflect on whether this is a journey they would like to commit to.

We’re excited to meet the next group of young people considering this step towards growth, confidence, connection, and building their future 💛

26/05/2026

Reflecting, learning and carrying it forward.

Last week, Mamelani attended the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (NMCF) Implementing Partner Learning Indaba 2026. A gathering that brought together implementing partners from across South Africa to reflect on the 2022–2027 strategic period and explore what comes next.
The two days created space to celebrate collective impact, share honest reflections on challenges and lessons learned, and deepen conversations about how we continue creating meaningful change for children and youth.
We engaged in discussions on sustaining impact beyond current funding cycles, strengthening partnerships, exploring future opportunities, and building on the knowledge and relationships developed across the sector.
Spaces like these remind us that meaningful change is built collectively, through reflection, collaboration, courage and a willingness to keep learning.
Thank you to Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and all implementing partners for creating a space to connect, share and imagine what is possible together.

22/05/2026