News Archive - Hugo Tempelman Stiftung

Happy Easter – and a special thank you to everyone who supports us and stands by our side!

The Hugo Tempelman Foundation has been working in South Africa for almost 20 years to give people real prospects for their lives and their future and that of their children.

However, many things are different this year.
Global political developments and economic uncertainties are increasingly focusing attention and support on other issues. Many international players are withdrawing, funding structures are changing – and we are also experiencing that fundraising is taking place under much more difficult conditions.

Sustainable development means creating prospects where people live.

This is precisely why our work is more important today than ever before.
And it is more than just building infrastructure:
It is about empowering people, enabling them to be self-determined and building long-term structures that are sustainable.

We owe it to you, all our supporters, that we have been able to follow this path so far.

We would particularly like to take this opportunity to thank our long-standing partners:
ENERGETIX Bingen, who have generously supported us continuously since 2008, the Postcode Lottery, Ein Herz für Kinder and RTL – Wir helfen Kindern e.V.
Their support has enabled us to create sustainable projects that are still securing real livelihoods today.

However, in order to maintain these structures in the future, we still need committed people, companies and organizations who want to work with us on a future worth living.

If you have ideas, would like to support us or see new ways of working together – please get in touch. Please contact us at: info@hugo-tempelman-stiftung.de

Every support, every connection and every impulse can help!

We will not give up.

We wish you and your families a hopeful and peaceful Easter.

Creating career prospects: Practical training at the Ndlovu Vocational Training Center

Vocational training becomes tangible at the Ndlovu Vocational Training Center: Theory meets practice, learning meets real experience. In the summer, the plumbing and installation technology trainees completed their practical training with the experienced team from Vic Ball Plumbers – directly on site at Netcare Hospital in Pretoria East.

Here, participants learn to apply their knowledge in a demanding environment: from working on complex hospital infrastructures to high-pressure systems and the strict standards of building services engineering. This practical phase not only teaches technical skills, but also strengthens self-confidence, team spirit and professional responsibility.

The training program is an example of what sets the Ndlovu Care Group apart:

Practice-oriented and labor market-relevant qualification
Commitment of strong partners from the business world
Mentoring by experienced specialists
Prospects that lead to real employment

Close cooperation with companies such as Vic Ball Plumbers creates valuable opportunities for young people in the region. They are not only trained, but also accompanied on their way to a self-determined professional future – as the skilled workers of tomorrow.

The Hugo Tempelman Foundation has been supporting these vocational development programs with great commitment for years – together with partners such as the German Postcode Lottery and the RTL “Wir helfen Kindern” foundation.
The aim is to give young people in rural regions of South Africa a fair chance at training, work and dignity.

This is how, step by step, what moves the foundation is created: real perspectives, real skills, real change.

Review: Heritage Day at Joris House – living diversity and inclusion

In September, South Africa celebrated Heritage Day – a day that honors the country’s cultural diversity, creativity and community. At Joris House, an Ndlovu Care Group facility, this special day also focused on cohesion and inclusion.

Unique handicrafts are created there, especially artistic beadwork, made by young people with disabilities. Each piece tells a story – of craftsmanship, cultural heritage and personal strength.

In many regions of rural South Africa, people with disabilities unfortunately still encounter prejudice. Joris House sets a strong example here: It offers young people with disabilities a protected environment in which they can learn, work and develop themselves. Inclusion is not only promoted here, it is practiced on a daily basis.

The Hugo Tempelman Foundation has been supporting this valuable work together with ENERGETIX for many years. Thanks to the continuous help and great commitment of the ENERGETIX sales partners, the project has not only been established, but also secured for the long term.

Every year, Heritage Day at Joris House symbolizes what makes South Africa strong – diversity, cohesion and humanity. And these values characterize the work at Joris House all year round.

“No one should be left behind – that is our aspiration and our motivation,” says Vivi Eickelberg, Chairwoman of the Hugo Tempelman Foundation.

And Roland Förster, owner of ENERGETIX, adds: “Joris House shows how inclusion can succeed in the best sense – with respect, love and the conviction that everyone can contribute something valuable.”

Energetix donates with heart and reliability

We are very happy that Energetix has handed over a check for 50,000 euros to the Hugo Tempelman Foundation again this year. This makes a real difference to people in South Africa. Thanks to this continuous support, projects such as the Jorishaus, support for the disabled and educational initiatives have been sustainably established and developed over the years.

Special fundraising campaign with Joey & Luke Kelly
Another special highlight was the fundraising campaign by Joey & Luke Kelly: together with many business partners, they cycled 2,800 euros on their spinning bikes. ENERGETIX donated 10 euros for every kilometer they cycled – a great campaign that was only possible thanks to the active support of all the cyclists.

A big thank you to ENERGETIX and all those involved for this help, which gives hope and changes lives.

Hugo and Liesje Tempelman, Lourens Duvenhage (Ndlovu Care Group), Vivi Eickelberg (Hugo Tempelman Foundation), Roland Förster (ENERGETIX)

Nkhesani Manganyi now supports the watermelon harvest

In January, we reported on Nkhesani Manganyi and his path to employment with the Ndlovu Care Group. Despite developmental delays and limited speech, he was able to develop vocational skills with the support of the team and secure a permanent job in brick production.

Nkhesani now also works on the Ndlovu farm. There, he is involved in the watermelon harvest during the season. This work requires stamina, reliability and the ability to work in a team – skills that he has steadily developed over the past few years.

The cultivation of watermelons is of economic importance in South Africa, especially in rural regions such as Limpopo. It not only contributes to the supply of fresh food, but also creates seasonal jobs. The Ndlovu Care Group combines two goals: To strengthen food security in the region and to provide people with practical employment opportunities.

Nkhesani’s new area of work shows how flexible the fields of work in the projects are. He can contribute his experience from his previous work and acquire new skills at the same time. In this way, his professional development is gradually expanding – from production operations to agricultural tasks.

Practice meets theory – vocational training at the Ndlovu Vocational Training Center

At the Ndlovu Vocational Training Center, we focus on hands-on learning. Our bricklaying trainees were able to apply their knowledge under real-life conditions by building an L-shaped wall as part of their practical examination.
These tasks simulate typical requirements in everyday working life – they promote technical understanding, manual skills and the self-confidence of our trainees.

This type of training not only strengthens technical skills, but also paves the way for a successful professional future.

We would like to thank the German Postcode Lottery for its generous support for the construction of our vocational training center.
Only such support makes sustainable education possible for young people locally.

“Now I’m going to school – with dignity.” Voices from the project show what really counts.

In recent months, together with the Deutsche Postcode Lottery and the Ndlovu Care Group, we have been able to supply over 4,900 girls in the Moutse region of South Africa with menstrual hygiene products – specifically with over 11,600 packs of sanitary towels in April and May 2025 alone.

What seems like a purely logistical figure means something completely different on the ground: security, dignity and genuine participation in everyday education.

The feedback from the schools shows how urgently this help was needed:

“Before the program, some of our girls were missing several days a month. Now they are confident in class.” – Principal

“I am so grateful. My daughter can now go to school like everyone else.” – Mother

“Menstruation must not be a barrier to education. This project helps us to change that.” – Teacher

However, the provision of hygiene products alone is only part of the success. Accompanying information events and talks, for example by the PowerMamas, have integrated the topic of menstruation openly and sensitively into everyday school life – a big step against stigmatization and for education.

During Menstrual Hygiene Month in May 2025 in particular, the initiative was able to increase its reach once again – with school campaigns, talks and targeted distribution. The positive response from the entire community shows how great the need is and how profound the impact is.

Together with the German Postcode Lottery, we are continuing our efforts to ensure that no girl is prevented from learning due to a lack of sanitary products. Education starts with dignity – and dignity sometimes starts with something as simple as a pack of sanitary towels.

Visiting Professorship: Hugo Tempelman becomes Extraordinary Professor in the field of Health Sciences

Award for outstanding commitment to medicine, development aid and public health

Dr. Hugo Tempelman, founder of the Ndlovu Care Group and namesake of the Hugo Tempelman Foundation, has been appointed Extraordinary Professor in the academic program of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Pretoria. This position honors not only his scientific work and publication activities, but also his holistic approach to medical and social development aid in South Africa.

The appointment recognizes his decades-long commitment to practical and charitable healthcare – especially in the fight against HIV/AIDS, in building resilient healthcare systems and in linking medical care, education and social participation.

“This appointment is not only a personal award, but a recognition for all those who work with me to improve the living conditions of people in South Africa. It reminds us that real change only happens when we combine our expertise with empathy and responsibility.” – Dr. Hugo Tempelman

The Hugo Tempelman Foundation is proud to be associated with such a visionary thinker and doer. Our warmest congratulations!

A small product, a big impact – education begins with dignity

Mädchen in Südafrika freuen sich über die Verteilung kostenloser Monatshygieneprodukte durch die Hugo Tempelman Stiftung

By providing free menstrual hygiene products, the Hugo Tempelman Foundation and the German Postcode Lottery are improving menstrual hygiene and sustainably strengthening the educational opportunities of girls in South Africa.

The Hugo Tempelman Foundation is working with the German Postcode Lottery to improve educational opportunities for girls in South Africa. Recently, our PowerGirls received monthly hygiene products as part of a large-scale campaign, which we financed in a joint fundraising campaign.

At an information event, which required a great deal of empathy on this topic, the PowerMamas educated the girls about personal hygiene and its importance. After all, access to hygiene products is not just a question of health – it is also about dignity, self-confidence and unrestricted access to education.

Millions of girls in South Africa regularly miss school due to a lack of menstrual hygiene. This initiative provides a remedy: with the production and free distribution of sanitary towels by the Ndlovu Care Group – made possible by our foundation and the Postcode Lottery – we give girls a bit of normality and security on their way into the future.

Our common goal: No girl should be excluded from education because of her period.

Sanitary pads for girls - donated as part of an empowerment project — A strong signal for equal rights and equal opportunities – pad for pad.

Menstrual hygiene workshop with committed women from the MAMAS Alliance — A strong signal for equal rights and equal opportunities – pad for pad.

Hugo Tempelman Foundation and Postcode Lottery Germany improve educational opportunities for girls in South Africa

Lack of menstrual hygiene as a barrier to education

Millions of girls in South Africa cannot afford menstrual hygiene products. A lack of education, inadequate sanitary facilities and financial hardship mean that many girls stay away from school during their periods. This not only affects their educational opportunities, but can also lead to health risks.

Support from the Hugo Tempelman Foundation

To counteract this problem, the Hugo Tempelman Foundation, with financial support from the German Postcode Lottery, enables the production of monthly hygiene products. These are distributed free of charge to affected girls via the Ndlovu Care Group.

Sustainable impact on education and health

The provision of these products has far-reaching positive effects: As well as reducing health risks, the girls can attend classes regularly, boost their self-confidence and improve their future prospects.

“For many young girls, the lack of hygiene products means they miss school and struggle with feelings of shame. This initiative gives them the opportunity to focus on their education and participate in social life without worry,” explained the Ndlovu Care Group.

Future prospects for young women

The commitment of the Hugo Tempelman Foundation not only overcomes acute challenges, but also sets a long-term course for a better future for young women in South Africa.