Kwa-Thema – Puleng Nhlapho, who was born and raised in Kwa-Thema, is making a meaningful difference in her community through her organisation, Buhlebenhlakanipho Care Centre.
Nhlapho runs the organisation alongside Mzwandile Thwala. Founded in 2021, the organisation supports individuals who are visually impaired, living with disabilities, battling chronic illnesses, and those who are vulnerable and without homes.
Nhlapo’s journey into caregiving began at a very young age.
“I started caring for my uncles when I was just four years old. I visited hospitals with my mother, particularly to see a mentally challenged family member.
“This exposed me to the reality of how many people were in need of care and support,” explained Nhlapho.
Nhlapho said it was there that she realised that even though people say there are no jobs, there are many people who need care.
While she did not initially have formal training, Nhlapho gained experience and knowledge through international exposure.
Puleng Nhlapho is a passionate individual. Photo: Nomsa Ngubeni
“I travelled to the United States, where I underwent short-term training focused on caring for people with special needs, including individuals who are deaf and those living with various disabilities.
“The training, which lasted between six and eight weeks, equipped me with practical skills across different types of disabilities,” she mentioned.
After returning to South Africa, she furthered her studies and became a qualified teacher. She also trained in multi-grade teaching and adult basic education, enabling her to work with both children and adults from different learning backgrounds.
In 2019, her life took a drastic turn when she suffered a severe health crisis. Nhlapho experienced a stroke and was hospitalised for months, losing her ability to move.
“I underwent physiotherapy for five years to regain my strength. It was not easy, but I told myself I could not just sit at home and do nothing,” she expresses tearfully.
She cites that this experience became a turning point in her life, deepening her understanding of the challenges faced by people living with disabilities and strengthening her desire to help others.
In 2021, she officially founded Buhlebenhlakanipho Care Centre.
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Although she initially worked with other organisations, challenges and disagreements led her to continue independently, driven by her passion and personal experience.
“I know how it feels to be in need and not have support. Today our organisation offers a wide range of services.
“It supports visually impaired individuals, children living with autism, people affected by HIV/Aids, struggling families, and those without shelter,” she said.
In some cases, Nhlapo has opened her own home to accommodate those in need.
“Last week, I took in people who had nowhere to go after being chased out in the rain,” she said.
Beyond providing care, the centre focuses on restoring dignity and independence. Beneficiaries are taught essential life skills such as cooking, cleaning, and personal care.
They also participate in activities like sculpting, music, and basic computer training.
“Being visually impaired does not mean you cannot do anything. Some of them can do more than those who are fully sighted,” she said.
Despite the impact of her work, Nhlapo faces ongoing challenges, particularly a lack of resources.
“Many of our organisation’s activities take place between my home and at the Kwa-Thema library, with limited materials and no consistent funding. Financial constraints have also resulted in the loss of trained facilitators who could no longer continue without support,” she explained.
She hopes to establish a dedicated centre where individuals with disabilities, especially those who are visually impaired, can learn skills, socialise, and grow in a safe and supportive environment within their own community.
“I would love to see a proper centre in Kwa-Thema where people can learn, develop skills, and be happy without having to travel far,” she said.
Nhlapo is calling on businesses, organisations, and community members to assist with resources such as food, training materials, and equipment, as well as financial support to sustain and grow the initiative.
“We are not only asking for money but rather for resources and support to continue helping people,” she said.
Through resilience and compassion, Nhlapo continues to uplift lives and bring hope to those who need it most.
Contact Nhlapho on 065 604 5545.
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