Mthimkhulu

Context:

As a programme of the Grail Centre Trust, Mthimkhulu takes its inspiration from the Big Tree (Mthimkhulu in isi Xhosa) in the centre of its premises. One of the oldest Blue  Gum trees in Kleinmond it has shown its resilience in the last 100+ years. 

As a hub for local NGO and community activities, the centre hosts various NGOs and offers a community health outreach program, Mthimkhulu Smart Kids (ECD), and Youth training and employment (200+ individuals in 2021) through the government's Expanded Public Works program. In addition, the Centre offers free basic computer training to help equip community members for the digital age, run a Good Garden in partnership with Food and Trees for Africa, which they plan to develop into a sustainable cooperative selling affordable vegetables to the community.

This centre is based in the small town of Kleinmond which is part of the Overstrand Municipality in the Western Cape. The Municipality commissioned socio-economic research in 2019 focused on the informal settlement Overhills, which has 1607 residents. Only 46% of adults are employed and 62% of households earned less than R3500 pm (148 GBP pm) while 23% had no income.   Only 51% have electricity and everyone uses municipal water and toilets

About the beneficiaries:

The organisation follows the Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment Act, No. 53 of 2003 definition of beneficiaries. Only black disadvantaged children will benefit.