About Is'khewu
Built to last, not just to help.
who we are
Is'khewu
is a registered private company made up of three distinct ventures, all working in synergy to uplift vulnerable groups, particularly youth, through education, skills development and creative empowerment.
Our head office runs lean, with a small team covering legal, finance and office administration, led by our founder as Managing Director. This keeps our overheads low and our focus on the ground, where it matters.
Our approach
How we work
We believe support should never be a one-off gesture. Every programme we run is designed to create a sustainable change, not temporary relief, so that the people we work with today can go on to build a more equitable and knowledgeable society tomorrow.
Our first venture
PHARApath
PHARApath is a registered Non-profit Company (Reg. Nr. K2026/482342/08) and the strategic CSI initiative of Is'khewu. It specialises in eduformative support, transferring knowledge, skills and personal development to young black South Africans in the O.R. Tambo District, starting with Joe Slovo Park and Ngangelizwe in Mthatha.
PHARApath's vision is straightforward: a society where young people in this district lead with purpose and direction, and where every household has the tools and confidence to make informed financial decisions.
What makes us different
Most educational NGOs deliver training and move on. PHARApath is built differently. Every cohort of beneficiaries has the chance to return as mentors, then trainers, and ultimately as permanent staff, over a defined three-year cycle. It is a self-renewing pipeline of dignity and employment, rooted entirely in the communities we serve.
Our Managing Director
Ulwazi Mgwadleka
Ulwazi Mgwadleka is an experienced Communications Specialist and writer, with over a decade of expertise across South Africa’s corporate and agency landscapes. Raised in Mthatha as the middle child of five by a single mother, he brings a grounded perspective and quiet determination to both his professional and personal endeavours.
Having delivered strategic communications for major brands including PepsiCo SA, South African Tourism, AB InBev, Momentum Group, and Xero across agencies such as FleishmanHillard, MSL Group and FCB, Ulwazi anchored his career in the editorial rigour of journalism at ITWeb.
Expanding his creative craft, he recently completed his debut fiction manuscript, set across Mthatha and Johannesburg, which illuminates the vibrant spirit of the Eastern Cape with rare depth and authenticity.
As a budding social entrepreneur, Ulwazi is channelling his passion for community upliftment into Is’khewu, a youth development initiative currently in its founding phase in Mthatha. Is’khewu is dedicated to bridging essential growth gaps by unlocking local talent, providing mentorship, and empowering young people to realise their full potential.