Bontle Ke Botho fuels dreams empowering Soshanguve youth
Through education, mentorship, sports, and the arts, the organisation addresses the needs of young people in the community.
Bontle Amanda Chauke is not just a community leader; she is a visionary who has dedicated her life to uplifting Soshanguve youth.
As the founder of Bontle Ke Botho, a non-profit organisation rooted in Soshanguve Block TT, Chauke’s journey is one of resilience, purpose, and a commitment to restoring hope in a community often overwhelmed by socio-economic challenges.
According to her, Bontle Ke Botho stems from her upbringing in Soshanguve Block TT, an area notorious for crime and drug abuse, and a general sense that success is unattainable to residents.
Chauke was determined to rewrite that narrative. Instead of succumbing to the difficulties around her, she drew strength from the resilience and potential she saw in her community, especially among the youth.
“Growing up, I saw so much potential wasted because of a lack of resources and opportunities.
“I want to change that, to show the young people around me they could break the cycle of poverty and achieve greatness,” said Chauke.
Her experiences, including volunteering at local centres and working closely with underprivileged youth, revealed to her the transformative power of education, sports and the arts.
She knew young people could overcome their circumstances with the right opportunities.
Bontle Ke Batho focuses on a holistic approach to youth development. Through education, mentorship, sports, and the arts, it addresses the many needs of young people in the community.
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One of the key initiatives is a feeding scheme, which not only nourishes children but also gives them the foundation to focus on their education and development.
“We want to provide a supportive environment in which young people can grow, explore their creativity, and a sense of belonging.”
Running a non-profit is never easy, and Chauke is no stranger to the hurdles that come with it.
“Limited resources, scaling programmes, and funding uncertainties are just a few of the challenges the organisation faces.
“During Christmas last year, I came across a video of a family in Mabopane that had nothing to eat but pap and water.”
Chauke said she took to social media to ask for donations. The response was overwhelming and she was able to provide the family with groceries for the holidays.
“Seeing the smiles on those children’s faces showed me that we are making a real difference.
“Our dedication extends beyond youth empowerment to menstrual equity and we advocate for the provision of free sanitary pads to women and girls in disadvantaged communities.
“For me, this not just providing a necessity, it is about breaking the stigma around menstruation and ensuring that no girl misses out on opportunities due to lack of access to sanitary products,” she said.
Chauke’s sanitary towel campaign has reached hundreds of girls and she hopes to expand this initiative in the coming years.
To reach out to the organisation, please email bontlekebotho24@gmail.com.
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