Our History

 

Vukovar Community Development Initiatives (South Africa) [VUCODISA] is a Non Profit Company incorporated under Section 15.1C of the Companies Act of 2008 with the main purpose of doing diversified, broad-based and impact driven community work for the needy living within the South African society, with emphasis on children and young people.

 

The organisation was initially established as Vuka TB/AIDS Project in March 2002 and registered on the database of the NPO Directorate of Department of Social Development as a Non-profit Organisation in September 2002. Vuka TB/AIDS Project was established and co-founded by Thomas Mamabolo who was an AIDS Activist. VUCODISA is not in existence merely by choice or by coincidence, but it exists as a result of the spirit and aspirations of the man who lived his life for the betterment of the poor, the environment in which they live and their health. He had dedicated his life, time and efforts to work tirelessly for the people. Hence, the current board and its successors will work hard for the success of the organisation in pursuit of his aspirations.

 

In the beginning, the organisation was formed to primarily offer community services to people infected and affected by TB and HIV/AIDS. After several years of operation and due to the passion and commitment of its people; the Organisation was rated as one of the best in delivering the DOT (Directly Observed Treatment) Programme within the City of Joburg.

 

In June 2009, the Board of Trustees made a decision to strategically transform and re-model Vuka TB/AIDS Project into a more diversified, broad-based, impact driven and representative organisation that will become a reflection of the South African civil society. The first stage of transformation and re-modelling of VUKA was to change its name, convert it to a Non Profit Company and re-brand it by creating a new corporate identity, image and look. The conversion of VUKA to VUCODISA as a Non Profit Company was successfully completed in July 2010.

 

The name Vukovar is derived from the word Vuka meaning “wake-up” in Zulu; one of the South African official languages. The name was founded from the unfortunate realities under which majority of South Africans are living. And we regard it (the name) as a self-explanatory way to showcase our commitment in awakening others to the general believe that “poverty could be overcome when fought together as a people!” The results of research we have conducted reveals that the name also relates to a river in east Croatia which is 114km long and was named after the town called “Vuka”.

 

VUCODISA creates employment to not less than ten (10) fulltime employees and one hundred volunteers in each given year. The organisation provides employment in various disciplines ranging from social services, project administration, bookkeeping to voluntary work. We implement training and development programmes meant to capacitate our people in areas such customer service, service delivery, project management, change management, to mention but just a few.

 

The Executive Board of VUCODISA is made up of individuals with vast experience in a widespread of specialised areas ranging from HR, finance, marketing, health, education, politics through to entrepreneurship. The members of the Board possess the right mix of skills, knowledge and expertise to run a successful organisation. The organisation will hence forth maintain the same mix of skills as the Board believes it is the most balanced!