What The Diepsloot Foundation does

The Diepsloot Foundation NPC is a South African non-profit organisation and Public Benefit Organisation (PBO 930038077, NPO 088-985) that operates a multi-disciplinary Community Development and Services Centre in Diepsloot township, Johannesburg, Gauteng. Founded as a community outreach by St Mungo's Church, Bryanston in 2004 and incorporated in 2008, the foundation runs ten integrated programs spanning Adult Education & Training (accredited by IEB and Umalusi), Digital Literacy (including blockchain and coding through IETSA), Carpentry and Sewing (accredited by FP&M SETA), Agriculture (with Rise Against Hunger, supplying 13 pre-schools), Healthcare (mobile clinic serving 10,000 chronic medication patients via CIPLA Foundation), Khulani ECD (founded 2017 for ages 3–5), Social Relief (40 households receiving weekly food parcels), Entrepreneurship, and B-BBEE & CSI services for corporates.

The foundation operates without proprietary technology platforms, relying on a single campus in Diepsloot and on-site facilities including sewing production, carpentry workshops, and vegetable tunnels, with operating hours Monday–Friday 8am–4pm. The organisation is led by Managing Director Sam Njela with a team of approximately 12–16 staff across program facilitation, production, ECD teaching, and administration.

Revenue is generated through three channels: donations and charitable contributions (qualifying for Section 18A Tax Exemption), B-BBEE and CSI service provision to corporates seeking Skills Development, SED, and Enterprise Development compliance, and fees from accredited learnerships and SETA-aligned training programs. Corporate clients have historically included buyers of COVID-era facemask production (over 500,000 units manufactured), with garments also sold through OR Tambo International Airport retail channels. The customer base is a hybrid of diffuse community beneficiaries (learners, ECD children, households, mobile-clinic patients) and corporate B-BBEE/CSI clients, with no disclosed parent company, equity holders, or institutional investors.

Name

The Diepsloot Foundation

Legal name

The Diepsloot Foundation NPC

Website

https://diepslootfoundation.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Diepsloot Foundation is a South African non-profit community development centre in Diepsloot, Johannesburg, delivering ten integrated programs including accredited adult education, vocational training (carpentry and sewing), ECD, digital literacy, agriculture, healthcare via mobile clinic, and social relief to township residents and corporate B-BBEE clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Development Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Dropout Prevention, Alternative Education & Re-Engagement Nonprofits (BPAGADAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK), Community Health & Prevention Program Funding (HLAJALAF), Crisis Response & Threat Assessment (Suicide Prevention, Violence Prevention) (EDAJAIAH), Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC)

Keywords

• Community development services
• Adult education training
• Vocational skills training
• Early childhood development
• Social relief programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Diepsloot

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The foundation operates as a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) and Public Benefit Organisation (PBO) receiving donations from individuals and corporations. Donations qualify for Section 18A Tax Exemption.
2. B-BBEE and CSI Service Provision: The foundation serves as a credible service provider and funding vehicle for corporate B-BBEE (Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment) imperatives, focusing on Skills Development, Socio-Economic Development (SED), and Enterprise Development. This generates revenue from corporate clients seeking to fulfill their B-BBEE obligations.
3. Program Fees and Training Services: Revenue generated from accredited learnerships and training programs, including partnerships with SETAs (Sector Education and Training Authorities) for skills development programs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

The Diepsloot Foundation operates a multi-disciplinary Community Development and Services Center on its Diepsloot campus, delivering ten programs covering Adult Education & Training, Digital Literacy, Carpentry, Sewing, Agriculture, Healthcare (via mobile clinic), Khulani ECD, Social Relief, Entrepreneurship, and B-BBEE & CSI services. Programs are accredited by IEB, Umalusi, and FP&M SETA, and the foundation serves as a Section 18A Tax-Exempt and B-BBEE compliant funding vehicle for corporate social investment.

Product overview

The Diepsloot Foundation is a multi-disciplinary Community Development and Services Center offering ten distinct community programs spanning Education, Computer Literacy, Agriculture, Healthcare and Skills Training. The core offerings include Adult Education & Training (AET) for foundational literacy and numeracy, Digital Literacy for basic to advanced ICT skills including Blockchain and Coding, and vocational programs in Carpentry and Sewing. Healthcare services are delivered via a mobile clinic partnership with CIPLA Foundation, while Khulani ECD provides early childhood development. The Agriculture program cultivates vegetables for local preschools in partnership with Rise Against Hunger. Social Relief provides weekly food parcels to 40 households. The Entrepreneurship program offers training through The Human Entrepreneur, Immersions, and The Start-up Tribe. B-BBEE & CSI services provide compliance solutions for corporate clients. Together these programs form an integrated ecosystem designed to uplift and empower the Diepsloot community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Khulani ECD: Early Childhood Development centre founded in 2017, offering programs for children aged 3-5 years (Grade 000 and Grade 00), with Christian-based teaching and learning in a stimulating environment undergirded by healthy nutrition and appropriate stimulation.

Products and services

• Adult Education & Training (AET) A foundational adult education program providing basic literacy, numeracy, social sciences, and economic and entrepreneurial sciences knowledge. Accredited by the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) and affiliated with Umalusi. Targeted at adult residents of Diepsloot township.
• Digital Literacy Computer training program ranging from basic end-user training to advanced ICT and emerging technologies including Blockchain Technology and Coding. Partnerships with specialized industry partners such as IETSA enable participation in the digital economy. Targeted at Diepsloot community members.
• Carpentry School Wood processing program covering furniture making, upholstery, wood finishings (paint and varnishing), and upcycling of wood products such as school desks. Learnership is accredited with FP&M SETA (Fibre Processing & Manufacturing SETA), with expansion into cabinet making, dry-walling, and roofing. Targeted at Diepsloot community members seeking vocational skills.
• Sewing School Seamstress and tailor training program producing garments for commercial sale (including items sold at OR Tambo International Airport) and over 500,000 facemasks for corporate clients since the COVID-19 outbreak. Partners with FP&MSETA for sewing learnerships, with facilities available to local entrepreneurs at nominal cost. Targeted at Diepsloot community members.
• Agriculture Program Nursery cultivates seedlings for community projects in Orange Farm, Molweni, and Alexandra. Development program trains township agripreneurs in growing fresh produce. Vegetable tunnels supply spinach, kale, onions, tomatoes, cabbage, peppers, and brinjals to 13 pre-schools. Run in partnership with Rise Against Hunger.
• Healthcare Mobile clinic providing monthly chronic medication to 10,000 people on campus, operated in partnership with CIPLA Foundation. Future expansion planned in training and healthcare entrepreneurship. Targeted at Diepsloot residents requiring chronic medication access.
• Khulani ECD Early Childhood Development center founded in 2017 offering Grade 00 (4-5 years old) and Grade 000 (3-4 years old). Focuses on spiritual, emotional, intellectual, and physical growth with Christian-based teaching in a stimulating environment undergirded by healthy nutrition and appropriate stimulation.
• Social Relief Weekly food parcel distribution to 40 local households. Annual provision of winter blankets and fleece jackets manufactured by the Sewing Department. Ad-hoc donations from individuals and corporates distributed to the community of Diepsloot.
• Entrepreneurship Non-one-size-fits-all entrepreneurial training utilizing initiatives including the Opportunity Platform, The Human Entrepreneur, Immersions, and The Start-up Tribe to provide access to entrepreneurial training, opportunities, and support. Targeted at Diepsloot community members and aspiring entrepreneurs.
• B-BBEE & CSI Services B-BBEE compliance service provider and funding vehicle focusing on Skills Development, Socio-Economic Development (SED), and Enterprise Development. Achieved through ECD, AET, Enterprise Development and Skills Training programs. Has Section 18A Tax Exemption status. Targeted at South African businesses seeking B-BBEE compliance.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10,000 people receive monthly chronic medication through mobile clinic partnership with CIPLA Foundation
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered founding, core and supporting.

• St Mungo's Church, BryanstonfoundingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004Original founding partner. The foundation originated as a community outreach by St Mungo's Church, Bryanston in 2004 and has since grown into an independent NPC with deep roots in the Diepsloot community.
• CIPLA FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for mobile healthcare clinic operating on the foundation's campus. CIPLA Foundation supports the initiative where 10,000 community members receive their monthly chronic medication through this mobile clinic. The foundation is looking to expand healthcare offerings including training and healthcare entrepreneurship.
• Rise Against HungercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgricultural partnership supporting the vegetable production program. From vegetable tunnels and garden, fresh vegetables are supplied to 13 pre-schools in Diepsloot community. Rise Against Hunger supports the agriculture initiative that also teaches children to appreciate good nutrition alongside education.
• FP&M SETA (Fibre Processing & Manufacturing SETA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccreditation partner for carpentry and sewing learnerships. The Carpentry school's learnership is accredited with FP&M SETA. Partnership with FP&MSETA also runs sewing learnerships and enables cabinet making, dry-walling, roofing, and other wood-related artisan training.
• IETSA (Institute of Entrepreneurship South Africa)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDigital literacy partnership with specialized and credible industry partners for computer training and emerging technologies. IETSA supports the digital literacy program that trains from basic end-user computer skills to advanced ICT and emerging technologies including Blockchain Technology and Coding.
• IEB (Independent Examinations Board) and UmalusicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccreditation for Adult Education & Training (AET) program. The AET program is accredited by the IEB and affiliated with Umalusi, providing recognized credentials for adult learners in basic literacy, numeracy, social sciences, and economic and entrepreneurial sciences.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Food & Trees for Africa: South African NPO focused on food security, urban agriculture, and pre-school nutrition programs — comparable in agriculture and early-childhood nutrition programming model.

Direct peers

• Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator: South African non-profit focused on youth employability and skills training, including demand-led learning pathways — comparable in target demographic, training methodology, and employer-linkage model.
• Kgalima Development Foundation: South African NPO focused on youth skills development and employability — comparable in vocational training and youth empowerment targeting underserved communities.
• Afrika Tikkun: South African non-profit operating multi-program community development centers across townships, including ECD, education, skills training, and health — directly comparable integrated service model and target beneficiary base.
• Ikamva Youth: South African NPO providing tutoring, career guidance, and learnership support to township youth — comparable in adult and youth education focus within underserved South African communities.
• Salesian Institute: Cape Town-based NPO offering vocational training in trades including sewing and carpentry to disadvantaged youth — direct peer in SETA-accredited vocational skills delivery.
• Sparrow Schools: South African non-profit providing holistic education and skills development for disadvantaged learners — comparable in accredited educational programming for vulnerable populations.

Emerging players

• Black Umbrellas: South African NPO supporting emerging entrepreneurs and SMMEs with business development — comparable in entrepreneurship and enterprise development programming for township beneficiaries.
• CIPLA Foundation: Healthcare-focused foundation partner of the foundation; comparable in chronic medication access and primary healthcare delivery to underserved South African communities.
• Rise Against Hunger (South Africa operations): Existing partner of the foundation; broader anti-hunger and nutrition NPO active in South Africa — comparable in food security, nutrition, and pre-school feeding programming.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-diepsloot-foundation

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Diepsloot Foundation