2023
2023 Impact Stories
Where it all began. The year that planted the seeds for a movement.
2023
Year
Tembisa
Location
“To keep warm” in isiZulu
Meaning of “Fudumala”
Threads for Ikasi Foundation
Founding organisation
Community-Driven Roots
In 2023, the Fudumala School Jersey Drive started as a simple idea born in the heart of Tembisa. The concept was clear: no child should go to school without a proper jersey during winter. The name "Fudumala," meaning "to keep warm" in isiZulu, captured the essence of the mission perfectly.
Those early conversations among community members, educators, and local leaders laid the groundwork for everything that followed. There were no corporate sponsors yet, no media coverage, just a shared belief that warmth is a right, not a privilege.
Setting the Foundation
The early work focused on identifying schools with the greatest need, building relationships with principals and teachers, and understanding the logistics of jersey procurement and distribution. The Threads for Ikasi Foundation provided the organizational backbone.
While the numbers in 2023 were modest, the vision was anything but small. The team set out to prove that a community-led initiative could make a real, measurable difference in the lives of learners. That proof would come in the years ahead.
A Vision for Something Bigger
From the very beginning, the Fudumala School Jersey Drive was about more than jerseys. It was about Ubuntu, the belief that we are all connected and responsible for one another. That philosophy would guide every decision, every partnership, and every handover event in the years to come.
2023 was the year of planning, dreaming, and building. It was the quiet foundation upon which a national campaign would rise.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2023
When did the Fudumala School Jersey Drive start?
The drive started in 2023 as a community-driven idea in Tembisa.
What does “Fudumala” mean?
“Fudumala” means “to keep warm” in isiZulu, capturing the mission of the drive.
Who provided the organisational backbone in 2023?
The Threads for Ikasi Foundation provided the organisational backbone during the drive's early beginnings.
Did Fudumala report jersey numbers in 2023?
2023 was a foundation year focused on planning and relationship-building rather than large-scale distribution, so the numbers were modest compared to later years.
What philosophy guides the Fudumala School Jersey Drive?
The drive is guided by Ubuntu, the belief that we are all connected and responsible for one another.
How were schools chosen in 2023?
The early team focused on identifying schools with the greatest need and building relationships with principals and teachers.
What was the focus of the 2023 year?
2023 focused on identifying need, building the organisational foundation, and proving that a community-led initiative could make a measurable difference.
What happened after 2023?
The drive grew significantly in the years that followed, reaching a breakthrough in 2024. See the 2024 impact story for details.
See How We Have Grown
From humble beginnings to reaching hundreds of learners. Follow our journey year by year.