DIRANG KA KAGISO RESTORES HOPE IN THE BOPHELONG COMMUNITY

By Tshepo Motholo

• Dirang Ka Kagiso, a non-profit organisation in Bophelong, Gauteng, has been a lifeline for vulnerable families since its inception in 2002.
• Founded by the late Maki Diphare, the centre provides critical services, including food aid, life skills training, and youth development, to uplift its community.
• With support from the Gauteng Department of Social Development, the organisation has empowered residents through job creation, skill certifications, and initiatives aimed at reducing poverty and unemployment.

In Gauteng’s southern corridor, the Dirang Ka Kagiso centre stands as a beacon of hope for disadvantaged families. Established in 2002 through the vision of the late Maki Diphare, this skills and community home-based care centre has transformed lives, bringing essential support and opportunities to Bophelong.

Dirang Ka Kagiso was founded in response to a pressing need for services to uplift women and families in the area. Officially registered as a non-profit organisation (NPO) in 2017, it has since received funding from the Gauteng Department of Social Development, enabling it to expand its reach. Its primary focus is supporting orphaned and vulnerable families through initiatives such as:  

• Distribution of food parcels to disadvantaged families  
• Operation of a drop-in centre addressing various community needs  
• Life skills training, including computer skills, digital marketing, radio production, and hair and beauty  
• Support groups, homework assistance, home visits, and treatment adherence programmes  
• Community awareness campaigns  

Recognising the importance of engaging young people, Dirang Ka Kagiso established a youth skills centre to equip them with valuable skills, steering them away from substance abuse and idleness.  

To date, Dirang Ka Kagiso has created 92 permanent jobs for community members in Bophelong. Many beneficiaries have secured employment in the private sector. Through a partnership with Eyethu National Computer College, the centre recently celebrated the graduation of 100 beneficiaries, awarding them fully accredited computer skills certificates.  

Dirang Ka Kagiso warmly invites the youth of Sedibeng to take advantage of these services, gain valuable skills, and empower themselves for a brighter future.