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This is Daniel Thlabathlaba’s Story of Hope

Daniel Thlabathlaba ended up on the streets of Bloemfontein – angry, hurt and homeless. It wasn’t the typical story of homelessness sparked by substance abuse or family dysfunction. Daniel’s refusal to support a specific candidate led to political revenge disguised as a promising business deal which cost him his business and his reputation. Wondering where his next meal was going to come from, he noticed other homeless people at the train station who told him about Towers of Hope’s soup kitchen in the heart of Bloemfontein. Little did he realise that this would become a lifeline - not only physically, but also spiritually.

A renewed focus on partnership and collaboration

With the haze of COVID-19 gradually lifting, early 2022 was an opportune time to pause and reflect on the value of Nation Builder’s contribution and to discern what the next season would hold. A host of social stressors had been added to South Africa’s landscape due to the effects of COVID-19, riots, floods, loadshedding, rising unemployment and more over the past few years. For South Africa’s social development sector and the country at large to cope with these massive challenges, it was clear to practitioners and grassroots leaders alike that greater collaboration was needed.

Impact investing requires a long-term view

Impact investing can unlock true value and create long-lasting social and economic opportunities for others. The key, says Andy Agaba, is in taking a long term view on your business. Read here on Andy’s journey in founding Hiinga, a faith-driven Impact Investing organisation that funds values-driven entrepreneurs in East Africa. Hiinga is a Christ-Centered Impact Investing Fund that invests in the ‘missing middle’ entrepreneurs. Besides capital, Hiinga provides business training and mentoring, Christian discipleship and leadership development. The hope is that these entrepreneurs will then go on to create jobs, mentor others and essentially create long-term value for their communities, families and churches.

This is Sinethemba Beja’s Story of Hope

The shame and hopelessness that accompanied her unplanned pregnancy, led Sinethemba Beja to leave the community Zithulele in the Eastern Cape. One day, out of the blue, she received a phone call. Sihamba Sonke, an organisation that aims to see young people rise above their circumstances and live value-driven and purposeful lives, was looking for someone to help with their agricultural programme, Foundations for Farming, and they knew exactly who they wanted for the job... This is Sinethemba’s Story of Hope.

This is Cazile Mhlope’s Story of Hope

Every life matters, every story is worth telling - the best ones are when God tells His story through us. Stories of Hope is a collection of inspiring stories of ordinary people whose lives have been impacted through the work and care of ministry partners of the Mergon Foundation. It is estimated that 7,800,000 adults and children in South Africa are living with HIV. In some communities of KwaZulu-Natal, 60 percent of women have HIV. This devastating epidemic has ripped apart countless families and left many in despair. Cazile lost all the people closest to her. She was hopeless until 'Uncle Dan', from Key of Hope knocked on her door. This is Cazile Mhlope’s Story of Hope.

Work-life wholeness: How business leaders tackle the challenge

At any given time, there are so many facets of our lives needing attention that knowing where to invest our energy and time is often easier said than done. This is especially true of business people who are passionate about living out their faith in the marketplace and willing to make personal sacrifices along the way. Most entrepreneurs struggle to strike a healthy balance between working long hours, running a household, investing in friends and family, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. And yet God has called us to work from a place of rest and flourishing. How do we remain whole-hearted and steward these different facets of our lives well?

Mergon is an entrepreneurial investment company that exists to create Kingdom impact and equip others to do the same.

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