Latest News
From seed to seedling to garden to table–we do it all!
As spring approaches and people prepare their gardens, Masilime Ngqo, our seedling nursery, is buzzing. The demand is high and a challenge to keep up with – a good problem to have! Our rural location means we are far from grocery stores, significantly limiting our...
First-ever competition for our Thatha iLiza surf-therapy team
Four years ago, we started Thatha iLiza, a surf-therapy project for youth in our community. The team is part of the Wave Alliance and uses an evidence-based surf therapy programme developed by Waves for Change. The curriculum has been proven to decrease violent and...
Bulungula Health Point 3.0—from mud-hut to mini-clinic
Our community is situated in one of the most remote and rural areas of South Africa. Despite the nearest clinic being less than 10 kilometres away from us, the journey and waiting times for healthcare typically take an entire day. Being far from healthcare in our...
![Ending poverty in a generation: Siyamthanda’s story [part 2]](https://bulungulaincubator.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/EA9163BB-3AD0-4A7B-B2DB-DF6B21877577_1_201_a-400x250.jpeg)
Ending poverty in a generation: Siyamthanda’s story [part 2]
Do you remember Siyamthanda? We are proud to announce that she has graduated from our Job Skills and Entrepreneurship Programme (JSEP), and secured a full-time, permanent job in our community. As a five-year-old, Siyamthanda was part of Jujurha ECD centre's inaugural...
How Bulungula College achieved a 100% pass rate within two years of opening
Bulungula College (BC), founded in 2019, has emerged as a centre of excellence, defying the odds and delivering quality education in the rural Eastern Cape of South Africa. Despite the socio-economic challenges faced by the area, BC has achieved remarkable success,...
Op-ed: Ensuring ongoing access to ARV treatment — The power of community pick-up points
Our community is located in one of the most rural and remote areas of South Africa. To get to the nearest clinic, one must cross the Xhora Mouth River, walk through a dense forest, and climb steep hills for three hours. The long distance to healthcare has severely...
Going digital: Migrating to tablet-based data collection for a streamlined approach
Over the last few years, we have been developing our data system so that we can use it to accurately measure the impact of our projects. This year, we are excited to implement our new (and very improved) tablet-based data collection method. Every month, our...
Changing up our approach to increase literacy outcomes
At Bulungula Incubator, we measure our projects' success by their positive impact on our beneficiaries over the long term. Since starting our organisation in 2007, we have had projects that flourish and others that simply don't. But, we don't get bogged down by...
Growing our own timber: Building local leadership for sustained rural development
The development and training of local community members as project managers, senior management and Board members is a cornerstone of our work. When we first started our work in 2007, there were scarce skills available for many of our projects, particularly...
Our 2023 Matric learners are ready to follow in big footsteps
As we finish term one, our Bulungula College 2023 Matrics signify their commitment to their studies at our annual and vibrant ‘Tying the Knot Ceremony’. Each learner receives their Matric necktie from their parent or caregiver with the support of the school and...
Unlock the potential of South Africa’s youth: Hire our skilled JSEP graduates today!
Are you looking for reliable and skilled workers for your business? Our newest Job Skills and Entrepreneurship Programme (JSEP) graduates are equipped and ready to start their first job. Our programme trains youth from our community to develop their skillsets and gain...
The power of community radio in rural communities
Even with the proliferation of communication platforms and technology, radio remains our community’s foolproof solution for connection, information and entertainment—almost every home you visit will have a battery-powered radio. You will find the coveted device up...
How our rural way of life is a model for environmental sustainability
Our rural community's lack of access to basic resources, such as electricity or running water, presents some of our most pressing challenges. Yet, this circumstance makes our community's lifestyle inherently environmentally sustainable. In many rural and remote...
100% pregnant learner retention rate at Bulungula College—how our inclusive policy enables pregnant and mother learners to stay in school
Around one in four female school-going adolescents in South Africa report being pregnant. Of these learners, only 30-50% will return to school— contributing to the country’s concerning high-school dropout rate. Not finishing school due to pregnancy and early...
Measles outbreak response: vaccine drive and awareness campaign
Since December 2022, a Measles outbreak has spread throughout a number of areas in South Africa. Measles is a childhood disease that is highly contagious but is prevented with an effective and safe vaccine. South African public health clinics vaccinate babies ages six...
Bulungula College achieves a 100% Matric pass rate—the first time in the history of our region!
Halala halala halala! We are overjoyed (and a bit speechless) to announce that ALL of our learners have passed Matric at Bulungula College! This is the first time in the history of Elliotdale to achieve a 100% pass rate. A big congratulations to our second-ever...
From countless deaths to achieving zero defaults—ten years of HIV/AIDS work in our rural community
Ten years ago, we lost a beloved colleague to HIV/AIDS. In those days, BI did not have a health programme yet and accessing any kind of healthcare was a mission. The only option for community members to get ARVs (HIV treatment) was to walk a tiring 2 hours to the...
Planting the seeds for understanding—a toolkit to support persons with disabilities
For the month of November, we recognise and celebrate Disability Awareness Month around the world. The CDC defines a disability as, “any condition of the body or mind (impairment) that makes it more difficult for the person with the condition to do certain activities...
Final push for Bulungula College Matrics
Matric exams are underway at Bulungula College! This is will be Bulungula College’s second-ever graduating Matric class. We revved up exam preparation with our Final Push Matric Camp. For 6-weeks, our learners stay at Bulungula College to get extra study time...
New handyman course at our Job Skills and Entrepreneurship Programme
From Preconception to Career. Our strategy supports people from our community throughout their working lifetime, providing education, training, and opportunities to build productive careers. Since 2020 we have been crafting our Job Skills and Entrepreneurship...