About us
Lungelo Youth Development (LYD), a registered Non-Profit Organisation founded in October 2012 with the aim to provide a resource Centre for children development and a platform to address societal issues affecting the youth. It is based in Mzingazi Agri village, King Cetshwayo District, uMhlathuze Ward 1, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.
The community of Mzingazi embodies the lines of social inequality with poverty levels exceeding the national average. Majority of its inhabitants earn less than the aimed targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Most families survive on child and elderly government social grant.
The Founder
A proud Sowetan, Mary Mlambo is a true advocate for youth development and transformation within communities. After spending a holiday in Richards Bay, she decided to forfeit her corporate career and and dedicate her time towards the youth of Richards Bay by founding Lungelo Youth Development (LYD). Through her compassion for youth development, her youth centre is both a safe-haven as well as a place of learning for students who attend schools around the area. LYD is but an extension of who Mary is – courteous, caring, comforting, determined and passionate. Mary Mlambo is the true definition of empowering the Youth.
Mary Mlambo
Our Team
The LYD team is a dynamic and results-oriented work team that operates collaboratively to achieve common goals. Each member brings unique skills and expertise to the team, fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment.
Dumisane Mthethwa
Slondile Nkabinde
Phumelele Mthembu
Sihle Bhuyeni
Sakhiseni Mthembu
Nomathemba Mkhwanazi
Lydia Dladla
Fikile Zulu
Thembile Mkhize
Our Programs
We aspire to produce young people who are empowered, able to realize their full potential and understand their roles and responsibilities in making meaningful contribution to the development of their immediate community and the country.
Youth Not in Employment, Education or Training
We provide various trainings to upskill the women who were teenage mothers and had to grow up to become heads of household with partners that are not able or willing to assume responsibility.
Arts and Culture
We use Performing Arts to help children and youth express themselves, heal their past and develop a future.
In School Programs
Academic Support - Peer Education - Decrease teenage pregnancy - Increase retention in school - Teen Parenting Programs - Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE)
Health Care
The Adolescent and youth friendly clinic provides healthcare services in the following areas: mother and child, dental, HIV/AIDS, TB and general health.
Early Childhood Development
Our day care facility which charges minimal fee to those that can afford hosts children for five days a week where they are provided with nutritional meals and are free to take part in group activities in a safe, supervised environment.
Feeding
We provide nutritional meals for children at the day-care and after School; we do not define ourselves as a feeding scheme, preferring to be seen as a place where children and youth can come for physical, spiritual, emotional and intellectual support.
After School Care
We empower the School going children with life skills, Health Education, and social skill to help them to have improved attitudes in life. We also develop their natural talents while having fun.
Picture Gallery
The team operates cohesively, fostering an environment of mutual respect and support. Regular team meetings and open communication channels contribute to a positive work culture. Continuous professional development is encouraged to enhance individual and collective skills.
