Chris Mkhize

Contact information: phone: 27.35.797.1882; e-mail: chris.mkhize@ucf.org.za;

Organization: The Uthungulu Community Foundation (UCF) was established in 1999.

Organization’s biography: The UCF is an independent, autonomous nonprofit organization, established to nurture, promote, develop and grow philanthropic practices in the Zululand region and the rest of South Africa. The organization’s major areas of focus are: promoting social justice; improving the quality of education in local communities; promoting health, including interventions on HIV/AIDS management; promoting agricultural production in local communities; promoting citizen participation to strengthen democracy; and developing and promoting socio-economic values based on self-reliance and self-development.

Mott grants through 2009: Four grants totaling $530,000 since 2000. [Note: The Uthungulu Community Foundation also was an original member of the South African Grantmakers Association (SAGA), which received 11 grants totaling $1.2 million from 1996 through 2005.]

What the Uthungulu Community Foundation is doing during the World Cup: We will be monitoring, assessing and publishing reports on events happening before, during and after the World Cup. Also, in Richards Bay – in the KwaZulu-Natal region where the foundation is located – residents have welcomed Nigerian soccer team members. The team is staying in two newly built modern hotels, and has been using a local soccer stadium for its practices.

My most meaningful place in South Africa: The Uthungulu Community Foundation operates in part of St. Lucia, an area declared a World Heritage Site. Local residents refer to the area as the Elephant Coast, mainly because of the area’s beauty and richness in wildlife, game reserves, and natural flora and fauna. The area has all types of entertainment facilities and modern hotels.

Organization contact info:

ZCBF Community Park
South Central Arterial
P. O. Box 1748
Richards Bay, South Africa

Phone: 27.35.797.1882
E-mail: chris.mkhize@ucf.org.za
Web site: www.ucf.org.za