WHO We aRe
From humble beginnings in 2003, Mamelani is a vibrant and well-established community development organisation.
Our name is inspired by the isiXhosa phrase ‘masimamelaneni’ which means ‘we must listen to each other’ as we believe it is through listening deeply to each other that real transformation is possible.
WHaT We Do
We build resilience and well-being, transform communities, and advocate for systemic change in partnership with youth in transition, grassroot leaders, communities, and organisations.
Get INVOLVeD
We invite you to discover ways in which you can get involved and contribute toward building resilience and well-being in communities.
Why we do what we do
At Mamelani, we recognize the impact of trauma, pervasive violence, and systemic barriers, on the daily experiences of people living in South Africa, who often have to bounce back despite facing these repeated setbacks. We believe that access to services that promote well-being, build resilience, and enhance sense of community, are critical to transforming individuals and communities. Furthermore, we believe that when people are recognized for who they are, and what they bring, it contributes to a sense of power, purpose, and control over life situations.
about MaMeLanI
MaMeLanI focuses on
three vital areas
Community Health & Well-being
Building resilience is a key factor in protecting and promoting health and well-being at both the individual and community levels. Mamelani’s Health and Well-being…
Youth Resilience
The Youth Resilience Initiative is an integrated systems-wide approach to supporting youth in their transitions from alternative care.The initiative works at three levels. Firstly, we collaborate with youth in their transitions…
Community Development
Mamelani believes in developing communities by developing people. Our community development initiatives are aimed at growing a nation of grassroot leaders and building networks…