Image: Delegates from NRF-SAASTA, DUT, Tholimpilo Organisation and ward 18 Councillor attended the training programme launch.

Ndwedwe, KwaZulu-Natal – In the heart of Ward 18, a story of community care and volunteerism is unfolding. The Durban University of Technology (DUT), through its Science Shop project funded by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) and implemented by NRF-SAASTA, launched the Ndwedwe Training Programme, a milestone that is strengthening support systems for families and building local resilience.

What began as a research initiative has grown into a vibrant community effort that equips volunteers with the skills, confidence, and recognition they need to serve households in their area. The programme trains volunteers to provide family support, conduct household visits, and help address social challenges affecting vulnerable community members.

At the launch, which took place on 21 November 2025, trained volunteers received certificates and name badges, marking their official recognition as Family and Community Care Workers. Many of these women have already completed their training and have been quietly serving their neighbours long before the public acknowledgement. The name badges will now allow them to be easily identified in the community as trusted helpers.

The day began with warm guidance from MC Inamandla Gumede, who set the tone for the event. Professor Raisuyah Bhagwan shared the journey of the programme, how it began, who it serves, and the growing impact it has already made. She highlighted the academic milestones the project has also achieved, including the graduation of two master’s students whose research contributed to shaping community solutions. She also thanked the new volunteers who stepped forward, driven purely by their desire to uplift their community.

Local champion, Mr Majola from the Tholimpilo Organisation delivered the official welcome and introduced new volunteers eager to join the initiative. What followed was a heartfelt certificate handover, led by DUT. This symbolised not just training completed, but trust earned, contributions recognised, and a community strengthened.

Community representative Ayanda Jali expressed appreciation on behalf of local partners, while Ward Councillor Moahloli shared a powerful message of growth. He affirmed the programme’s potential to expand beyond Ward 18 into all wards in Ndwedwe, emphasising the importance of collaboration between community members, organisations, and government structures. His message echoed the shared vision of expanding grassroots care services across the municipality.

Closing remarks were delivered by Nokwanda Mthethwa, one of the project’s postgraduate students, who highlighted the next steps and encouraged continued unity around the programme. NRF-SAASTA was represented by Ms Zamahlubi Radebe, who attended in support of the DUT’s Science Shop project on this special occasion.

One of the most moving moments of the day came even before the event began. As guests arrived, children were seen playing in the safe park that was launched last year, a reminder of how community-engaged research can create lasting, visible change. The presence of the children in this safe space reinforced why the work of Family and Community Care Workers is so vital. The event concluded with the distribution of food packs to attendees, a simple but meaningful gesture of appreciation.

The Ndwedwe Family and Community Care Worker Programme is more than a training initiative, it is a community empowerment model that blends research, compassion, and local leadership. Through the partnership between DSTI, NRF-SAASTA, DUT, community volunteers, and the ward councillor’s office, the programme is laying a strong foundation for expansion and deeper impact across Ndwedwe.