We Are Imbeleko Foundation.
Born from a deeply personal legacy of twins Dr. Seni Myeni-Offiah and Sibusisiwe “Sbu” Myeni, Imbeleko Foundation grew from supporting 3 orphaned girls into a community-rooted, nationally recognised rural education model serving over 10,000 learners.
It was established to “pay it forward” after their own journey from a rural upbringing in KwaNyuswa, Valley of 1000 Hills, to global education and professional opportunities. When Dr. Myeni-Offiah passed away tragically, Sbu quit her 15 year international banking career, returned to their rural childhood home to set up the Foundation as a living tribute to honour a promise made to each other, while they were students at the University of Cape Town: — into a mission to rewrite the future for rural children in South Africa
Through quality education, digital innovation, mentorship, and psychosocial support, S’bu is not only changing individual lives — she’s breaking generational cycles of poverty. Today, Imbeleko is a trusted partner to families, schools, universities, corporates, and government — bridging rural talent with the global economy.
Vision
To nurture socially marginalised rural learners into globally connected, future-ready citizens, while positioning rural communities as centres of innovation, talent, and leadership.
Mission
To provide holistic education and empowerment opportunities for rural children and youth, equipping them to thrive in school, career, and life.
Our Impact
80%
Graduated on record time from University.
18%
Graduates already employed at top engineering and accounting firms.
95%
Enrolled at University
Read our Beneficiaries’ Stories
DREAMERS
Learners from Grade 4–12 enrolled in our Hybrid School, Blended Learning Afterschool Programme, and Boarding School.
Watch Boarding School Programme Video
SCHOLARS
University students, mentored throughout their university and work-readiness journey.
Watch University Scholars
ALUMNI
80% of our core team are Imbeleko beneficiaries. Many of our alumni who move on to corporate careers still return to ‘turn on the lights’ for our DREAMERS — serving as mentors, leading our university initiatives and driving our mentoring programmes.
Londiwe Madondo – Boarding School Scholarship Programme
Imbeleko Academy Dreamers
Our Academic Programmes
Boarding school scholarship programme
Imbeleko’s Boarding School Scholarship Programme gives high-potential rural learners access to top boarding schools and life-changing opportunities.
Since 2010, over 100 learners have been placed in leading schools, achieving a 100% university enrolment rate — most in STEM fields — and a 95% graduation rate as engineers, doctors, IT professionals, educators and more. Many, like Londiwe Madondo, return to mentor and invest in the next generation, proving that rural talent, given the chance, can thrive globally and give back locally.
hybrid school
Imbeleko Academy, a Hybrid registered independent school. Our inaugural class, drawn from rural schools in the Valley of 1000 Hills, is already proving that with the right support, rural learners don’t just catch up — they excel.
blended learning afterschool programmes
Imbeleko’s Blended Learning Afterschool Programme (BLAP) delivers hybrid STEM education to rural learners in Grades 6–12, combining in-person facilitation with digital platforms.
Supporting over 5,000 learners annually across multiple schools, BLAP is run in partnership with the National Department of Basic Education and already replicated in eight public schools.
The programme drives measurable impact — 73% of our Grade 9 learners choose Pure Maths (double the rural average), our 2024 Matrics achieved a 100% pass rate with 90% Bachelor passes, and alumni consistently reach 98% university entry in STEM pathways.
More than an afterschool programme, BLAP nurtures talent, builds confidence and creates a pipeline of rural leaders.”
University Scholarships
Imbeleko’s University Programme ensures that no learner’s journey ends at matric. Through scholarships, structured mentoring and career-readiness support, we help graduates transition smoothly into higher education and employment.
Our continuum of options — from university pathways to the Imbeleko Institute’s accredited training and Youth Internship Programmes — equips young people with skills, work experience and entrepreneurial opportunities. Even after graduation, our alumni are supported through job placement, graduate roles within Imbeleko and ongoing mentorship, creating a powerful leadership pipeline that sustains impact and drives generational change.