When Ubuntu supporter, Vincent Mai, made a pledge through the Clinton Global Initiative to expand Ubuntu Education Fund’s work with orphans and vulnerable children neither Zethu Ngceza nor Fezeka Mzalazala knew that it would mean a trip to New York City and a meeting with the former president. Zethu Ngceza, an outspoken 17-year old and her Ubuntu Case Manager, Fezeka Mzalazala so inspired a Clinton representative on a recent trip to Port Elizabeth that both were invited to share the stage with President Clinton at the Clinton Global Initiative’s semi-annual meeting.

Zethu is a 17 year old South African orphan who, along with her two siblings, lost both parents to AIDS. Taken in by their aunt, the nine family members occupied a cardboard shack with refuse bags acting as a roof. When her aunt moved to Johannesburg in search of work Zethu was left to care for her siblings alone with no income or adult support. Zethu’s life began to turn around when she met Fezeka Mzalazala, a passionate 28-year-old Case Manager with Ubuntu Education Fund. Fezeka helped Zethu’s family access a social grant – navigating the bureaucratic channels to ensure the family had a sustainable income. She then found them a place to stay and enrolled them in school. Through her own hard work and with the support of Fezeka and Ubuntu Education Fund, Zethu and her siblings are now enrolled in school and doing well.

Inspired by their eloquence and gripping story of survival, the Clinton Global Initiative (founded by former US head of state Bill Clinton) invited Fezeka and Zethu to highlight the commitment made by Vincent Mai to Ubuntu Education Fund. The CGI meeting was held on Thursday April 19 with over 450 CEO’s and philanthropists in attendance. In recognition of Ubuntu Education Fund’s unique community based approach to some of Africa’s seemingly insurmountable problems, Zethu and Fezeka shared the stage with President Clinton and gave a brief presentation about Ubuntu and how their programs have helped families like Zethu’s survive. As part of her talk, Zethu made her own commitment to return to Port Elizabeth and start a support group at her school for young girls orphaned by HIV/AIDS. This commitment, signed on stage with President Clinton, brought the audience to a standing ovation. The rest of Fezeka and Zethu’s time in New York was spent taking in the sights and sounds of the city, including the Museum of Natural History, Central Park, performances of The Lion King and Stomp and lots of shopping!

Zethu and Fezeka give the Speech of a Lifetime
19 April 2007

Just click the Play () button to watch Ubuntu's Zethu Ngceza and Fezeka Mzalazala share the stage with Bill Clinton at the Clinton Global Initiative's semi-annual meeting.

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