Thokozile Rwapuluza

Thokozile “Thoko” Rwapuluza is a South African Zulu woman raising two sons on her own. She first encountered the Khayamandi Foundation when they chose to sponsor her oldest son, Ntokoso, to a private high school.

Thoko is a faithful Christian. She is an amazing mom to her boys and has taught them to be polite, to do well in school and be grateful for what they have.  Several years ago, when Thoko moved to Knysna, she knew she needed to have a stable place for the boys to grow up.  Working as a domestic worker, she saved a little bit of money each payday to be able to purchase her own small home in the Concordia Township. 

In 2017, Thoko’s path intersected with an American woman whose passion was to offer a program for young girls in the township to learn life skills, dignity and God’s love. Thoko met with the woman to create a program and agreed to volunteer as the group leader. After working all week long, Thoko met with grade 7 girls from one school every Saturday throughout the school year. She loved working with the girls and wanted to continue volunteering the following year.

Knowing how important this program is for young girls, the American approached Youth For Christ (YFC) and asked if they would consider incorporating this program into their ministry. They said yes and would be willing to hire a full-time person to run it. Thoko interviewed and was offered the position.

Thoko knew this job would help her to grow spiritually, intellectually and professionally. She accepted it and was heard saying, “Today I will walk down the street with my head held high.”

Today, her job has grown to be a group mentor of girls in 4 different schools in Knysna, a crisis pregnancy counselor with Options at YFC, and a weekly visitor to the maternity ward at the hospital where she prays with the new moms and delivers small start-up parcels for their babies.

“I love being in a space where people find hope and love especially woman and children,” states Thoko.

Thoko’s salary is sponsored by the Khayamandi Foundation to work with Youth For Christ.