Zisa Ithemba bringing hope back to Drakenstein

Marshalline Martin is what we refer to as an uncapped hero. Some people believe that at the age of 14, you should be playing outside with other children, but Marshalline disagrees. She was volunteering in the community at 14 years of age. To date, Marshalline has been active in the community for 28 years. 

Working with people taught her that love and acceptance is an unacceptable shortcoming in many households, so when Mashalline started working with the youth she understood that there is a need to be genuine and empathize with what the youth are going through. 

She founded an organization that provides a variety of services to the community, including youth development, education, and substance abuse treatment. Their primary focus is skill development and job creation. The organization, Zisa Ithemba began last year and is now one year old. 

Marshalline, like everyone else, has faced financial difficulties but, overcomes them by launching programs and projects with her friends who are very supportive of her cause, as well as fundraising events. She collaborates with others to help in their ventures as well. 

Personal obstacles can shape us for better or worse. Marshalline too faced many obstacles fortunately, she found inspiration and became motivated to start her own venture. She woke up one morning with this idea of “Hope” on her mind and the name "Zisa Ithemba"  means just that (to bring hope). This is meaningful to her because of what she had gone through; today she wants to bring hope to others. To inspire others despite their shortcomings to ultimately succeed in life.

According to Mashalline, young people were getting into trouble due to a lack of vision for themselves. “Our Board members and volunteers are working hard behind the scenes to show the youth that there is a light at the end of the tunnel”. Mashalline also says “We became a family; they always send texts on WhatsApp or call asking for more programs to be part of”.

Marshalline was nominated by the community as "the community hero of Drakenstein" in August 2021, and last year, the Municipality of Drakenstein informed her that, out of 500 non-profit organizations (NPOs) in Drakenstein, Zisa Ithemba was one of twenty chosen to attend a celebration to receive an appreciation award for their work.