GA-RANKUWA BASED NPO STRIVES TO DEVELOP ITS COMMUNITY.
Non-profit organizations are established as a means of giving back to the community. Minding the Gap is a NPO that was established in 2018 by the founders Tsietsi Mathibedi and Tshegofatso Molobi, to uplift the community Of Ga-rankuwa as well as other neighbouring communities. The organisation focuses mainly on events such as charity work, pageants, annual camps in schools, Award ceremonies, high school motivational tours, and talent shows.
The aim of the organisation is to “inculcate the culture of producing academics, professionals and responsible citizens of the country for the youth within the community taking into account their skills, values, norms and different talents”. This year Minding the Gap will be hosting a beauty pageant, Mr and Miss teen Ga-Rankuwa, which its crowning will take place on the 28th of September 2019, youth between the ages 13 to 22 in all sizes and shapes can enter the pageant. Auditions are on the 22nd of June at YMCA Ga-Rankuwa from 11am to 5pm.
One of the founders Tsietsi Mathibedi said that the aim of the pageant is to promote community charity work and of course also beauty and brains. “ We are actually looking for a brand ambassador for the organisation, the right brand ambassador for Ga-Rankuwa and also someone who is going to be a public figure, the face and voice of Ga-Rankuwa” clarified Tsietsi. Winners of the pageant will be awarded with various prizes and further receive a 1 year community contract with the organisation minding the gap.
The NPO has faced challenges such as lack of funding and restricted support from the community which the organisation is based at. Minding the Gap does not have any sponsors at the moment and it sorely relies on donations from people in the community, fundraising events that they host and donations from local businesses. Their first community project was the 67 minutes for Mandela 21st of July 2018 which entailed preparing lunch for children, organising games and donating food parcels.
There are other upcoming community projects that Minding the Gap are going to host this year, the community can look forward to clash of talents, 2nd annual walk in camp and the 2nd annual awards ceremony. Individuals and businesses who wish to offer donations to the organization contact them on their Facebook at Minding the Gap, Twitter @gap_minding and on Instagram at mtg-npo.
BY: AMOGELANG RAMOTSHO.
