Umnotho Community - Where Land, Skills, and Hope Meet

By Bliss Yeni

October 24, 2026

When Vuyolwethu and Ronald Chada joined Umnotho, they had a single goal: to buy a stand and build a house. Like many families, they longed for a place to call their own, a home that reflected stability, growth, and belonging. What they didn’t know was that they would gain far more than just possession of a house.

Today, they own a home in Muldersdrift, a location famously known as the wedding capital, just a stone’s throw from Lanseria Airport and surrounded by luxurious destinations such as the Cradle of Humankind. Nestled in lush greenery and expansive landscapes, Muldersdrift offers a distinctive lifestyle, a tranquil escape within reach of the city.

Yet, the journey to this point was far from easy. “There were moments when it felt like things were moving slowly,” recalls Ronald. “But when we got our stand, our hope was restored. It was still challenging, but seeing the land changed our focus. We had been saving for years, and once we got the news, we increased our contributions towards our building fund.”

Vuyolwethu laughs as she remembers those early days. “It’s crazy to think back to where we were and where we are now. We even considered claiming our money back at one point,” she says, turning to her husband. “Remember, babe?” They both burst out laughing. “Yeah,” Ronald adds, “when they showed us the land, I thought to myself, this guy is joking, showing us some forest with weeds here!”

At the time, the couple was also going through personal struggles. Vuyolwethu had been laid off, leaving them to survive on Ronald’s salary and his small side hustle. “We made it work,” says Ronald. “We just kept reminding ourselves why we started.”

Their years of saving and perseverance paid off, and they began construction. Ronald wanted to surprise his wife, so he laid the foundation slab without telling her. “I told her to go and check the stand, pretending it was just a routine visit,” he says, smiling. “When I got there, I was shocked,” says Vuyolwethu. “The foundation was already laid! I was so happy. The vision of our home was starting to come to life.”

Their project took another blow when Ronald was also laid off, after the roofing and interior tiling stage. “That was a tough period,” says Vuyolwethu. “But we were grateful for our savings; it kept the dream alive.” Even during difficult times, the spirit of Umnotho carried them through.

Ronald used his design and craft skills to build their kitchen himself, adding a personal touch to their home. Later, as life began to stabilise, Vuyolwethu enrolled in Umnotho’s skills and training program in End User Computing, where she gained new skills, which she hopes will open fresh opportunities for her.

The couple’s story is a powerful reflection of Umnotho’s value proposition — a one-stop-shop community where empowerment extends beyond home ownership. The community that helped them secure land continues to support their growth through skills development and local enterprise.

Even their home bears the mark of that interconnectedness; the burglar bars on their windows were installed by a fellow Umnotho Community resident, showing how money circulates within the community and sustains local livelihoods.

The Chadas’ are among many who are reaping the benefits of owning land in the Umnotho Community. Families like Nomalanga Mofokeng’s have also turned dreams into reality; she not only built her own home but now runs a flourishing garden of edible flowers, supplying local markets and restaurants. Bontle Qiqimane, another proud homeowner, has gone on to work within Umnotho itself, contributing to the very organisation that helped her start anew.

Across the community, young women are breaking barriers, gaining rare skills in bricklaying, welding, and other trades traditionally dominated by men. These success stories reveal Umnotho’s true potential, not only as a pathway to land and housing but as a living ecosystem of empowerment, growth, and shared prosperity.