Touching the lives of the most vulnerable

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Helping the most vulnerable people in the community of Nhlazatshe in Mpumalanga is Noxolo Sibande’s calling.

The 25-year-old Sibande started a non-profit company (NPC) called Xolo’s Touch in 2021 to help children who come from disadvantaged families with sanitary towels, toiletries, uniforms and donated clothes. 

“I was motivated by the number of children who are struggling with basic day-to-day needs because some of them end up making bad decisions such as getting involved in criminal activities or dating older men in exchange for money,” explained Sibande, who lives with cerebral palsy. 

Xolo’s Touch also provides warm meals for elderly people who receive social grants. The meals are usually distributed on grant collection days. 

“Some of them wake up early to go queue for their grant money without even having breakfast, so I just prepare meals for them on the day,” she explained. 

Sibande said she uses a portion of her disability grant to assist the people that she has identified, but she is often supported by family and community members who share her vision to help more people in her community. 

“You do not have to be rich to help the next person. Sharing the little that you have goes a long way,” she said. 

So far, her company has managed to partner with a local radio station, another organisation, local businesses and municipality and traditional leaders to donate essential products and clothes to people in need.

How to register an NPC

To register an NPC, you need to register with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC). 

The CIPC said a non-profit company is a company incorporated for public benefit or other objectives relating to cultural, social activities, communal or group interest.

“The income and property of a non-profit company is not distributed to its incorporators, members, directors, officers or persons relating to it, and must be used to advance the purpose for which it was created, as set out in its memorandum of incorporation,” said the CIPC. 

To register, you will need: 

• At least three incorporators and three directors and may be registered with or without members. 
• Identity document copies of the three members. 
• Details of the NPC’s bank account.  

For more information about CIPC visit www.cipc.co.za or call 086 100 2472. You can contact Xolo’s Touch via email noxolosibande01@gmail.com Facebook: Xolo's Touch