Sally McKibbin

Sally McKibbin

Founder of Thembalethu Nkomazi

For the past 30 years I have committed my life to sharing the skills I have with those who, through no fault of their own, are less fortunate than myself. Little did I realize, in 1987 when I first began development work in the then KaNgwane homeland, that the struggles and problems faced at that time – even with the war going on just over the border in Mozambique – were only a foretaste of what would happen when the devastation of the HIV and AIDS pandemic hit our community.

During these years my life has become enriched with the acquaintance of the struggle for survival in a rural area riddled with disease, a new political dispensation, superstition and poverty. It would take a lifetime to explain to you all the issues, the lessons learnt, our successes and the many challenges we’ve faced.

However, as a result I have become an expert in rural project management with specialist expertise in raising finance, motivating communities, and implementing and managing projects. I’ve worked with many donor agencies from abroad and I’ve developed credibility with communities, both local and abroad, such that my advice is sought and followed.

People often ask me what motivates me to do this work. My answer is simple. I am a Christian and Jesus Christ says in Matthew 25 verse 35 – 40 in The Bible;


“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.“


I believe that God expects Christians to replicate His love through practical activities where ever possible.


Background

My formative years were spent in a “really rural area” in Zambia, without electricity, or running water and certainly no shops within hundreds of miles! This provided me with first-hand experience of what it means to live without the benefits of ‘modern‘ life and enables me to empathize with those who are in a similar situation.

I trained as a teacher and taught science in high school in Johannesburg before leaving the teaching profession and moving into the computer industry. In 1983 I worked in London and in Thailand but returned to South Africa (1987) at the request of doctors at Shongwe Hospital, who were concerned at the high level of poverty in the area and the health problems emanating from hunger. The area was very under-developed without running water and electricity. There were very limited job opportunities in the area. Knowing that I am a skilled crafts person, they asked me to come and train women with skills to enable them to earn a living. I moved to Schoemansdal and have been living here since 1987. I taught many women to sew and others to make baskets from copper wire.

Under the apartheid years I was a subject of concern to the South African defence force who suspected that I had a political agenda by living in the area (which wasn’t true!). During this time the war between Renamo and Frelimo in Mozambique was raging and many refugees were pouring into the area. A transit camp was set up in Nkomazi near Mangweni village and I was the secretary for the refugee committee and co-ordinated the work of the International Red Cross, Shongwe hospital, Operation Hunger, foreign Embassies, MSF (Medicine San Frontier), SACC (SA Council of Churches), the SA Bishops council and local authorities and the chiefs. This work was stressful as, along with the physical, psychological and material trauma and suffering of the refugees, there were many political issues involved. I worked very closely with the late Premier Enos Mabuza, the chiefs and other leaders in the community. Sally MBE outside Buckingham Palace 1991In 1991, unknown to me and unexpectedly, I was awarded an MBE (Member of the British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth for the work I did with the refugees.

In the mid-1990’s until 1999, I continued to work with development projects, including skills and business training and in 1999 I was approached by the Department of Health to start home-based care to help alleviate the burden of thousands of sick people in the Nkomazi.

Along with some dedicated women from the community we started Thembalethu and I devoted myself to bringing as much benefit to the Nkomazi as I possibly can. You can follow our journey on this website.

Additional comments (2014)

I have seen many changes in the community over the years. There is certainly more money around and the infra-stucture of the Nkomazi has been upgraded; for example the government has provided electricity to all villages for those who can afford it. Schools are better equipped and it’s encouraging to see that many of the learners are able to attend tertiary institutions. I’m particularly thrilled that Thembalethu has supported a number of youth who are doing exceptionally well at University. Nevertheless there is still work to be done as access to water continues to be a challenge for many and unemployment is running at a very high level.

I’ve been encouraged to see that HIV and AIDS is being better handled by the Department of Health through distribution of ARV’s and HIV training, and so the escalation in the number of deaths and thus orphans has been stemmed. The system of Government social grants has been streamlined and this has helped alleviate the suffering of many children.

However, as in all developing communities, ensuring that all sections of the community benefit from improvements is a challenge and the gap between the “have’s” and the “have nots” is widening.

For this reason I see a long future ahead for Thembalethu in providing a safety-net for the most vulnerable in our community.

I wish to thank all our supporters for the help they have brought to the Nkomazi and I trust you will continue to do so. I hope you will find time to look through our website and join us on our journey, so that together, we can work towards participating in a better life for all.
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