ABOUT HELP ONE HELPER NPC

Help One Helper is a Non-Profit Company (NPC) that is established to empower helpers (Domestic Workers) to resume their learning journey and reach their full potential. It was founded in 2021 by the former domestic worker, Ntombizodwa Merriam Mahlangu.
{Reg# 2021/791233/08   |   PBO# 930076353}

Help One Helper is a Non-Profit Company (NPC) that is established to empower helpers to resume their learning journey and reach their full potential

Our Mission

We believe in the power of knowledge acquired through education, and aim to motivate helpers through workshops and ensure that at least one helper annually enrols at a tertiary level to acquire a qualification.

Our Vision

To empower helpers to reach their full potential and change their lives to the better.

“… Brightness of Diamonds through Soil…”

Founder / Director Story

Ntombizodwa Merriam Mahlangu is the former domestic worker, graduate and author of the book “Brightness of Diamonds through Soil” – her biography and book is a reflection of hope and assurance, that no circumstance can stop you from achieving your dreams. The book received the foreword from the former South African Public Protector, Advocate Thuli Madonsela.

Ntombizodwa Merriam Mahlangu made headlines after obtaining her BA degree in 2018 at the age of 32, following years of working as a domestic worker and publishing her first book. She has now made her book Brightness of Diamonds through Soil a charity book to raise funds so that other helpers can also acquire qualifications.

Ntombizodwa was born on a farm, under a disadvantaged background where there was no electricity or water supply. At the age of 19, she became a teenage mother, and that forced her to start working as a domestic worker at the age of 22 to provide for her daughter. Her love for education never faded even during challenging times. She used her hard-earned cash to study short courses through long-distance learning. After receiving opportunities in the corporate world, she carried on and studied further. In 2018 at the age of 32, she obtained a BA degree in Human and Social Studies from the University of South Africa.

She suffered language barriers due to her educational background but overcame all the odds through education. She is currently an author and works as an Assistant Director.

 You can book Ntombizodwa to inspire in your communities, schools, varsities, corporates.

Cynthia Gouws

-Director

​Cynthia grew up in the Karoo and matriculated at Graaff-Reinet.
She moved to Pretoria and started working at the Master of the High Court at the age of 18. She was given a bursary by the Department of Justice and obtained a B Iuris degree, LLB degree as well as a Diploma in Insolvency Law and a Diploma in Accounting. She is currently employed as the Curator at the Council for Debt Collectors.

Leah Mthombeni

-Director

Leah was born in Dindela in Limpopo.  She started working as a domestic worker from 1990- 2005, where by she quit due to health reasons which were affected by ironing a lot.  She worked as a security officer from 2006 – 2011 whereby she applied at the Unisa and studied towards becoming a social worker. She graduated in 2018 at the age of 48.  She is currently a qualified social worker employed as a security officer.

“Our existence is mainly to empower helpers to reach their potential”

GET INVOLVED

Take part on empowering helpers by donating as little as R10 or purchasing a copy of Brightness of Diamonds through Soil – a domestic worker’s passion for education.

NPC

Donate towards helpers’ empowerment and education

BACK A HELPER

Get more involved than just donating

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Backing a helper gives you the opportunity to be involved and check in on your backing’s progress, study success and share in the personal journey.