Ububele Africa changes lives through river clean-ups
What started as a simple exchange of food for community service has grown into a life-changing initiative that is helping vulnerable people rebuild their lives.
For many people, cleaning rivers may seem just like any other job. But for the men and women working with Ububele Africa, it represents a second chance at life.
On June 9, the non-profit organisation’s team spent the morning clearing litter, debris, and illegally dumped waste from the Sandspruit River between Katherine Street and South Road in Sandown.
While the visible impact was the cleaner river, the deeper story lies in the lives being transformed through the clean-up initiative.
Founded by Wendy Malpage from Morningside during the Covid-19 pandemic, Ububele Africa merged from a desire to help people who had lost their livelihoods and found themselves living on the streets.
“On my daily walks, I would see these people and pray for a solution,” said Malpage.
“At the time, I had R10 000 left over from a food drive that a friend and I had organised to feed children in Alexandra township. I often wondered how God, with five loaves and two fishes, could multiply my small efforts to make a meaningful difference.”
She added that while praying for guidance during a walk along South Road, she looked down from a bridge and noticed the river below was scattered with litter.
“In that moment, an impression came to me: why not create an opportunity for people to clean the rivers in exchange for food?” she said.
Malpage added that she purchased gloves, refuse bags and clean-up supplies and approached a group of men she often saw sitting alongside the roadside.
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“I asked them whether they would be willing to clean the rivers in exchange for a food parcel, and they agreed. I asked them to meet me at the petrol station the following day so that we could begin.
“When I arrived, more than 100 people were waiting for me. I quickly realised that R10 000 was not going to go very far. That was the beginning of Ububele Africa. Six years later, I have a dedicated team of 13 people who earn 300 per day.”
Among the team is Gabriel Molepo, whose journey reflects the programme’s impact beyond employment.
“When I met Wendy, I was begging at a traffic light,” Molepo said. “She told me she could not offer me a job in hospitality, but she could offer me a job in cleaning rivers.”
At the time, Molepo said he was battling drug addiction and alcoholism. “I had a problem, but I couldn’t see. I was working with no responsibilities, getting my money, smoking it, and then it’s finished. Through Wendy’s support, I was able to go to rehab.”
Molepo added that he is now 36 months clean, and he sells perfumes as a side hustle. “Ububele taught me the principles of honesty. I’m responsible now, I can take care of my family, and I can save. Ububele actually is not a job that you can say you’re working. It’s a project to help individuals to change and improve their lives.”
Malpage expressed gratitude to everyone who has extended a helping hand in keeping their daily clean-up operations operational. “We could not do this without the support of residents and communities. Especially those who donate to us monthly. We would appreciate it if we could get more support and sponsorship or donations,” she concluded.
Details: Contact Ububele Africa director Wendy Malpage on 083 326 6097.
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