Thirty years ago, SOS Children’s Villages opened its doors to the Thornton, Cape Town community.
Officially opened by Nelson Mandela, this ceremony highlighted the organisation’s commitment to children and young people in Cape Town, pledging to provide them with a warm and loving home. Tata Mandela opened its doors in 1996, and at the time, at the dawn of democracy, it was the first SOS Children’s village where SOS mothers and children of different races could live together under one roof.
This month as SOS Children’s Villages Cape Town celebrates its 30th year milestone, the organisation stands by its commitment to provide Alternative Care, Community Family Empowerment, and Child Protection for children and young people in its care.
“As we know the primary responsibility to care for children is the biological parents of every child, Child and youth Care Centres like the Cape Town village close a gap where children have lost parental care. We’ve seen a number of children, especially in Cape town living and begging in the streets, fighting to survive each hour, each day. No child should go through that. Our Cape town Village has provided a home, a family to every child placed under our care to grow up with the experience of having love, care, protection, shelter, all the basic and developmental needs taken care of. That is lasting change anyone can give to a child, the sense of belonging and sense of importance- the positive image that “I matter”-for 30 years since we opened our doors we have produced well-rounded self-sufficient young people who are now economically viable citizens. That is through partnerships with government, corporates, local community, our committed staff and our Local Management Board, Your Partnership and support transforms lives!” says Nqabakazi Gina, National Director of SOS Children’s Villages South Africa.
Today, the residential care programme ensures that 87 children are accommodated in family houses and provided with all essential needs, while more than 120 orphaned and vulnerable children benefit from the Community Family Empowerment Programme that operates in the communities of Langa.
Teenage pregnancy, drug abuse and gangsterism are prevalent in the Cape area, SOS Children’s Villages works proactively with various partners to address these societal issues. The organisation takes a holistic approach to child development, and endeavours to offer every child the educational and therapeutic programmes they need to thrive.
This childcare and protection work would not be possible without the support of donors, funders and community partners. Today SOS extends gratitude to every partner, and a plea for continued support, so that even more children and young people can be supported to grow with love and care, so that they become strong independent adults, with the networks and support that they need to thrive.
At SOS Children’s Villages, the core belief remains that, truly bonding with a child has the power to change the world.
A commemoration event was planned at the village on Friday 26 June 2026.
About SOS Children’s Villages South Africa
SOS Children’s Villages is an independent, non-governmental organisation that advocates for the rights of South Africa’s most marginalised children. We offer loving, family-like care for children and young people who have lost or are at risk of losing parental care. Established in 1984, SOS has seven Children’s Villages and three Social Centres across eight provinces.
Each year the Alternative Care, Community Family Empowerment and Youth Employability programmes provide life-changing support to more than 4 000 children across the country.
The Alternative Care model comprises of four principles that include a mother (each child has a caring parent), brothers and sisters (the family ties grow naturally), a house (a secure place to grow up in) and a village (the SOS family is part of the community).
The Community Family Empowerment Programme aims to enable children who are at risk of losing the care of their families to grow within a safe environment, by building the family’s and the community’s resilience. SOS Children’s Villages works in co-operation with local authorities and other service providers to empower families and communities to effectively protect and care for their children.