History

The end of the Apartheid was a new beginning for all of South Africa but the inequality that pervaded the country still left its scars on the people and the country.  Rosetta Stander, a fifth generation South African saw this first hand and left the private sector to aid her countrymen.  From 1997-2003 Rosetta managed a youth organization that developed life and vocational skills in young people culminating with business skills that lead to long-term employment in 80% of the group.

During her time with non-profit organizations Rosetta saw how these organizations became pervasive throughout South Africa.  While the groups had good intentions, they created a short-sighted welfare environment in which people depend upon the charities for their everyday needs.  Rosetta’s prior experience of training people in life, vocational, and business skills gave her the conviction that the key to developing South Africa lay in the education of its people.

To this end Zimele was formed in 2006 with the vision of developing community self-reliance in the KwaZulu-Natal region of South Africa.  A year later, a group of dedicated, young professionals from Metro Community Church in Englewood, NJ founded Zimele USA in partnership with Rosetta to support the establishment of her vision.  They have since been followed with Zimele organizations in the UK and Germany.  It is the purpose of Zimele to transform the lives and communities of the poor and hurting in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa through education and the development of community self-reliance.