From running an orphanage with at least 20 children, hosting women empowerment sessions and sharing dignity packs with schoolgirls, to uplifting the youth, Zaza Letsholo has always found the means to make the world a better place for the underprivileged in KwaMhlanga.

Determined to do so with her non-profit organisation, Zaza Mahlangu Foundation, she continues to work tirelessly to raise funds to show her love for the community.

“I love those children. They have played a huge role in my success and ultimately achieving my goals through the foundation. They are my reason that I wake up in the morning – to find a better future for them,” Letsholo said.

The orphanage caters for children who are vulnerable, abandoned, neglected and abused, some living with HIV, others with disabilities and speech impediments.

“We know it takes a village to raise a child, so whenever possible, we allocate groceries and essentials to families in the community that need assistance. We often find households that live solely on pap or bread and water every day, without proper nutritional food, and we also assist with blankets in the cold seasons,” she said.

Letsholo said there are various initiatives she runs, such as the donation of sanitary towels to identified schools in KwaMhlanga, where they have at least 100 beneficiaries.

“Some of my team members and I have realised that to make an impact, we can donate six packs of sanitary towels to each schoolgirl so that they have no worries for at least six months of the year. In the meantime, we are busy finding more sponsors for the programme so we can can provide them with sanitary towels for the whole year,” Letsholo said.

In 2018, she added another programme to the organisation, called Women in Purpose, which is aimed at celebrating women on Women’s Day.

“This is a space created to uplift the self-esteem, confidence and mindset of many women through talk sessions. I invite women of various careers and spheres of life to give encouraging talks on how to tackle life in whatever space or situation they might find themselves.”

As much as women are celebrated, Letsholo believes a confident woman with purpose is groomed from a young age. The Zaza Mahlangu Foundation is involved in coaching and grooming young girls through local pageants.

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“This is something I am very interested in, and I have found a way to get involved in it by offering coaching outsourced by local pageantry organisations.”

As the year is coming to an end, Letsholo said they are embarking on a school programme they started last year

“In 2021, we identified Mphumelomuhle Secondary School, and organised a matric dance ball for them. We found sponsors and asked the community to donate their glamorous dresses, suits and shoes to the Grade 12 learners. The joy on their faces that night was incomparable. We have started identifying a deserving school in the community to organise a matric ball this year and are open to receive any help from the community.”

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Those who would like help, may contact Letsholo on 083 567 6803.