Hamba Bamba Funda Celebrates Success of 2nd Annual Christmas Care Crafting Skills for Change Event in Soweto

Hamba Bamba Funda (HBF) proudly hosted its 2nd annual Christmas Care event on the 2^nd of December at the Meadowlands Welfare Centre in Soweto. The Crafting Skills for Change gathering was a vibrant celebration of creativity, community, and care, bringing together caregivers, children, and partners in a spirit of empowerment and festive joy.

This year’s theme, Crafting Skills for Change, focused on equipping caregivers in under‑resourced communities with practical, creative, and entrepreneurial tools. Through hands‑on activities such as knitting, cooking demonstrations, the symbolic Jar of Hope, and mother‑baby engagement sessions, participants were invited to explore their resourcefulness, strengthen caregiver–child bonds, and discover pathways to economic confidence.

HBF was honoured to welcome Nancy Ncube as Master of Ceremonies. A seasoned communicator and Pan‑African strategist, Nancy brought warmth and insight from her extensive experience in journalism, nonprofit leadership, and corporate social investment, enriching the day’s proceedings.

A highlight of the event was the participation of a group of Kliptown Mothers from HBF’s Thriving Together project, who shared heartfelt testimonials about what they have learnt from attending weekly sessions with the HBF team. It was wonderful to witness their confidence and give them a moment to shine, reflecting the transformative impact of sustained caregiver support.

The festive gathering welcomed 80 caregivers and their babies, alongside community members and valued partners including The City of Johannesburg, The Department of Health, The Flower Foundation, and FERL from the University of Johannesburg’s School of Tourism and Hospitality. Together, HBF and its partners gifted clothing parcels, jars of hope, and lunch packs to mothers and their babies — a gesture of care and solidarity during the holiday season.

HBF extends special thank you to its sponsors — Raubex, Doorway to Dignity, Italtile & Ceramic Foundation, Flower Foundation, Cameraman, TDC Graphics, House of Mumbi, and Mpangazitha Events and Projects — whose generous support made this event possible.

As part of the event, HBF shared its Christmas Grace message from Founder Monja Boonzaier:     “Umusa Kakhisimusi. Ukwakha amakhono, ukwakha impilo. Building skills for life.”