The Real Village – To Reconstruct and Empower Africa with Love

About Us

The REAL Village is a Pan African community development nonprofit organisation. Informed and inspired by the ultimate Christian value of LOVE, that finds its most eloquent expression in selfless service to the welfare of others, thus the betterment of society; The REAL Village initiates, supports and provides programs that seek to bring about positive change in the African child’s material, social, psychological and spiritual reality.

To Reconstruct and Empower Africa with Love

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Our Vision

A just Africa
A skilled Africa
A saved Africa
A caring Africa
A united Africa
A healthy Africa
A peaceful Africa
A sustainable Africa
A developed Africa
A connected Africa
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Our Value/s

Faith: Love for God
Africanity: Love for Africa
Ubuntu: Love for Humanity
Innovation: Love for Ideas
Excellence: Love for Quality
Imagination: Love for Possibilities
Sustainability: Love for the Planet
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Our Theory Of Change

Sincere, significant and sustainable change comes from a posture of a genuine sense of equality, where the giver sees themselves in the given, and the given in the giver. When this posture is carefully guarded with the necessary empathetic yet pragmatic sensitivity throughout the interaction, it culminates in both the giver and the given being beneficiaries, because both have had their dignity affirmed and humanity restored.

Villagers

Founder

Sivu Kotela is an Afro-impact advocate, entrepreneur and strategist. He was born and bred in Port Elizabeth, where he also studied Software Development, and after working in different industries, started his own technology business.
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Patron

Selby Mfanelo Mbenenge; Juge-President of the Eastern Cape

Selby Mfanelo Mbenenge practised as an advocate for 22 years, 11 of which were as Senior Counsel, before being appointed High Court Judge in July 2015.
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Team REAL

The work we do is only possible because of the selfless commitment of all the Villagers, with Team REAL, at the center. Our team’s collective knowledge, skills set and passion enables us to become a reliable and able partner in developing effective responses…
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Advisory Board

The skills set and professional backgrounds of the members of our Advisory Board cover and meet the current and future strategic needs of The REAL Village. They are not only highly capable and qualified men and women who are specialists in the various areas of focus of the organisation; but they have demonstrated, in their personal and professional lives, a dedication to the mission that actuates all that we do and aspire to, the Reconstruction and Empowerment of Africa with Love. Below are members of the board:

Brad Senekal

African Outreach Director at Hands of Hope, Joyce Meyer Ministries.
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Lovelyn Nwadeyi

Social justice strategist & Founder at L & N Advisors.
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Adrian Platts

Professor in Systematic Theology and Dean of the Theology Department at Helderberg College.
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Achumile Majija

Chief Commercial Officer at Prudential Life Insurance – Ghana.
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Alvin Masarira

Structural Engineering Consultant & Visiting Lecturer at the University of Cape Town.
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Bongiwe Mbunge

Chartered Accountant & Partner: Advisory Services at Mazars.
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Willie Chinyamurindi

Associate Professor within the Department of Business Management at the University of Fort Hare.
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Minka Woermann

Senior Lecturer & Head of the Unit for Business Ethics and Public Integrity in the Centre for Applied Ethics at Stellenbosch University.

Pitso Tsibolane

Information Systems Lecturer at University of Cape Town.
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Siphokazi Jonas

Storyteller: Writer, Performer, Facilitator, Theatre-maker and Producer.
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Mlenga Jere

Associate Professor of Marketing and Academic Director at University of Cape Town’s Gordon School of Business.

Sipho Ntshalintshali

Specialist Physician & Rheumatology Fellow at Stellenbosch University.
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Bongo Futuse

Chief Specialist: Media Relations at Vodacom Group

Kgomotso Moshugi

Singer and Composer.
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Motse Mfuleni

Founder & CEO of Imbizo Group
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Andrew Jensen

Businessman and Entrepreneur
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REAL Ambassadors

Putco Mafani

Legendary Award winning media personality, former Kaizer Chiefs PRO and CEO at putcomafani CONSULTING.

Makhaya Ntini

Former Protea fast bowler and recipient of The Order of Ikhamanga in Silver

Zanele Mdodana

Retired Netball Player; Former Captain of Proteas; Current Coach of Stellenbosch University’s Netball Team.

What We Do

Areas Of Focus

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Family & Social Cohesion

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Health & Holistic Wellness

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Heritage & Cultural Identity

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Agriculture & Food Security

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Technology & Digital Inclusion

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Greening & Environmental Care

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Leadership & Good Governance

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Education & Career Advancement

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Entrepreneurship & Economic Empowerment

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Salvation & Spiritual Formation

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Sport & Wholesome Recreation

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Relief & Disaster
Response

Friends and Sponsors

Special Projects

Events

REAL Dialogues

REAL Dialogues initiates various platforms that seek to promote rigorous and
informative exchange of ideas, knowledge and opportunities towards the realization of the REAL agenda.

Some of the platforms to be utilized are:
– Camps
– Seminars
– Public lectures
– Information Sessions

My Village Conference

My Village Conference is an event that has been established to recognize, celebrate and profile those Villagers who have committed their careers, time, talents, personal resources, etc. towards the Reconstruction and Empowerment of Africa with Love.

The Conference also promotes a culture of giving and selfless service, and serves as a platform to highlight the latest developments in the areas of community development, philanthropy, social entrepreneurship and impact.

Want To Know More?

Get Involved:

VOLUNTEER

The work we do is only possible because of people like you who are willing to offer their time and skills towards the realization of the REAL agenda. To that end we are always in need of volunteers for each of our programs. We also help to place volunteers with other organisations that are pursuing the REAL agenda in our areas of focus and beyond. If you are interested in finding out more how you can volunteer with us, or our partners, please email us at:
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AMPLIFY

You can support the work that we do by utilizing the power of your voice to bring spotlight to the work that we do. This can be realised through various means, including media influence, inviting us to showcase our work on your event, brand partnerships, etc. For more information on how you or your organisation can help shine more spotlight on the work we do for the reconstruction and empowerment of Africa with Love, please email:
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AMPLIFY

DONATE

By giving financial donations, products and services to The REAL Village, you facilitate and catalyze the REAL agenda. All our donors (private, public, in- kind, etc.) are testament to the timeless veracity of that classic African proverb, “it takes the whole village to raise a child”; as they allow us to continue to provide services, initiatives and resources that positively change the African child’s holistic reality. To find out more how you or your organisation can donate towards the work we do, please email

DONATE

FUNDRAISE

Through the power of connections, you are able to reach out to the people within your sphere of influence and contact, like family, friends, colleagues, employees, etc. to partner with you in fundraising for a specific program or project that you want to support. This you can do by starting a new campaign or supporting an already existing one. To find out more o find out more about all you need to know to setup, promote and/or support a particular campaign, please feel free to contact us at:

FUNDRAISE

Get Involved:

VOLUNTEER