Who We Are
Rea Thusana Foundation (RTF) is a grassroot non-profit organisation (NPO) serving people experiencing homelessness in Muizenberg (Cape Town, South Africa). The name is borrowed from the Sotho expression for “we help one another”, expressing the heart to focus on giving a hand-up (rather than a handout) to empower/strengthen abused and homeless women and children. We also assist homeless men because we believe in restoring the community and the only way to do that is by restoring families. We strongly believe in doing good, seeking justice and correcting oppression (Isaiah 1:17) and the spirit of Ubuntu “I am because we are”.
How it Started
During Level 3 of Covid-19 lockdown in 2020 in South Africa, RTF hosted seven vulnerable and abused women from the streets of Muizenberg and Capricorn community at Church of Holy Spirit (CHS) for four months. As a result, five of the women were reunited with their families.
With the help of the Department of Social Development (DSD)’s placement programmes, some of the women gained access to the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) programme. In partnership with Freeway Rehabilitation Centre in Retreat, six men were given access to rehabilitation. Four men completed the programme. One of them joined the U-turn Homeless Ministries Life Change programme and was reunited with his family.
RTF continues to follow up with these ladies and gentlemen as part of valuing relationship building through mentorship. The organisation also assists those who are unemployed with procuring ID documents, compiling CVs, connecting them with job and/or volunteer opportunities, and giving out food parcels on a monthly basis.
While everything was slowly going back to normal, RTF formed a strong relationship with the homeless community in Muizenberg and started to advocate for safe spaces for them. In 2021, U-turn decided to open a Homeless Service Center in Muizenberg and RTF helped with establishing and referring clients for assistance off the street. During this time, the organisation was registered as a NPO in official capacity.
In collaboration with U-turn Homelessness Ministries, New Hope SA, New Beginnings, the Department of Social Development, and shelters to refer our unhoused neighbours for assistance.
Our Values
Confidentiality
Community
Equality
Responsibility
Justice
Compassion
Our Partnerships
In partnership with Muizenberg Improvement District (MID), Muizenberg South African Police Service (SAPS) and Law Enforcement, RTF is also involved in gang intervention. As it became apparent that human trafficking is part of the problem of homelessness, the aim is to create a way out from gangsterism through rehabilitation and skill development programmes.
Within just one year, RTF managed to assist more than 10 people to get off the street and nine men to get out of gangsterism – even to remove their gang-related tattoos. Some of them are now reconciled with their families and others are now employed, on their way to sustaining themselves financially and being reintegrated in society.
Who We Are
Rea Thusana Foundation (RTF) is a grassroot non-profit organisation (NPO) serving people experiencing homelessness in Muizenberg (Cape Town, South Africa). The name is borrowed from the Sotho expression for “we help one another”, expressing the heart to focus on giving a hand-up (rather than a handout) to empower/strengthen abused and homeless women and children. We also assist homeless men because we believe in restoring the community and the only way to do that is by restoring families. We strongly believe in doing good, seeking justice and correcting oppression (Isaiah 1:17) and the spirit of Ubuntu “I am because we are”.
How it Started
During Level 3 of Covid-19 lockdown in 2020 in South Africa, RTF hosted seven vulnerable and abused women from the streets of Muizenberg and Capricorn community at Church of Holy Spirit (CHS) for four months. As a result, five of the women were reunited with their families.
With the help of the Department of Social Development (DSD)’s placement programmes, some of the women gained access to the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) programme. In partnership with Freeway Rehabilitation Centre in Retreat, six men were given access to rehabilitation. Four men completed the programme. One of them joined the U-turn Homeless Ministries Life Change programme and was reunited with his family.
RTF continues to follow up with these ladies and gentlemen as part of valuing relationship building through mentorship. The organisation also assists those who are unemployed with procuring ID documents, compiling CVs, connecting them with job and/or volunteer opportunities, and giving out food parcels on a monthly basis.
While everything was slowly going back to normal, RTF formed a strong relationship with the homeless community in Muizenberg and started to advocate for safe spaces for them. In 2021, U-turn decided to open a Homeless Service Center in Muizenberg and RTF helped with establishing and referring clients for assistance off the street. During this time, the organisation was registered as a NPO in official capacity.
In collaboration with U-turn Homelessness Ministries, New Hope SA, New Beginnings, the Department of Social Development, and shelters to refer our unhoused neighbours for assistance.
Our Values
Confidentiality
Community
Equality
Responsibility
Justice
Compassion
Our Partnerships
In partnership with Muizenberg Improvement District (MID), Muizenberg South African Police Service (SAPS) and Law Enforcement, RTF is also involved in gang intervention. As it became apparent that human trafficking is part of the problem of homelessness, the aim is to create a way out from gangsterism through rehabilitation and skill development programmes.
Within just one year, RTF managed to assist more than 10 people to get off the street and nine men to get out of gangsterism – even to remove their gang-related tattoos. Some of them are now reconciled with their families and others are now employed, on their way to sustaining themselves financially and being reintegrated in society.
Core Strategies
- To mentor people experiencing homelessness by providing holistic personal support for healing in Identity, Purpose and Belonging
- To assist with the rehabilitation of people experiencing homelessness through collaboration with organisations offering psycho-social support
- To empower people experiencing homelessness with life skills and and entrepreneurship opportunities to access sustainable income
- To assist people experiencing homelessness by finding or building affordable homes
- To reconcile people experiencing homelessness with their families and build a supporting community structure that will continue to champion their recovery or progress.
Core Strategies
- To mentor people experiencing homelessness by providing holistic personal support for healing in Identity, Purpose and Belonging
- To assist with the rehabilitation of people experiencing homelessness through collaboration with organisations offering psycho-social support
- To empower people experiencing homelessness with life skills and and entrepreneurship opportunities to access sustainable income
- To assist people experiencing homelessness by finding or building affordable homes
- To reconcile people experiencing homelessness with their families and build a supporting community structure that will continue to champion their recovery or progress.
Core strategies
- To mentor people experiencing homelessness by providing holistic personal support for healing in Identity, Purpose and Belonging
- To assist with the rehabilitation of people experiencing homelessness through collaboration with organisations offering psycho-social support
- To empower people experiencing homelessness with life skills and and entrepreneurship opportunities to access sustainable income
- To assist people experiencing homelessness by finding or building affordable homes
- To reconcile people experiencing homelessness with their families and build a supporting community structure that will continue to champion their recovery or progress.
The Team
Phinius Sebatsane
Phinius is a missionary, activist and the founder of Rea Thusana Foundation. He enjoys plants and loves writing.
Priscilla Johnson
Hospitality personnel and barista at CHS Life center
Judith Nomthandazo Mahlangu
Judith specializes in Socio-Economic Development, community development, disability studies, NGOs, corporate social investments, stakeholder engagement, research, and policy analysis. She is passionate about career construction of Community Rehab Workers and in engaging with persons with disabilities
Gillian Barlow
Qualified chartered accountant with experience in the public and private sector, with a data-driven and relational approach to leadership and problem solving.
Ros Fox
Ros has a deep heart for women and children from hard places, longing to see the kingdom of God come through the restoration of hope and dignity. Ros holds a masters degree in International Child Health and Development from University College London.
Tshepang Maubane
Tshepang has a heart for social justice. He is also involved in YWAM Muizenberg’s Outreach and Training Departments. He delights in showing people his beloved country of South Africa.
Candice Brown
Addiction Counsellor and HR Professional
Lauren Jacobs
Lauren is an award winning social justice journalist, radio presenter and theologian. With a passion for women’s empowerment and upliftment, she has worked across continents and borders telling the stories of women and creating awareness on daily injustices facing women globally, for over 12 years.
Christa Stander
