Our beneficiary stories series highlights the organisations that inspire us with their work in communities across South Africa.
In March, as we observed World Water Day, one story stood out: the work of iThemba Kuluntu in Mthatha. Through their PureFlow Amanzi project, they are bringing safe water to families in deeply rural areas. As a result, they are proving that homegrown innovation can change lives.
The Reality in Pondoland
In the rolling hills of Pondoland, water is life. Yet for too many families it has also been a source of hardship. In villages like Cwebeni, children and cattle often drink from the same streams. Mothers spend hours fetching water and firewood. They then boil it over open flames, filling their homes with smoke. Consequently, the result is a cycle of illness, deforestation, and lost opportunities.
This is the reality that iThemba Kuluntu is determined to change. Their name, drawn from isiXhosa, speaks of community and humanity. Importantly, their work embodies both.
Innovation Born of Necessity
To meet this challenge, iThemba Kuluntu developed the PureFlow Amanzi system. It is gravity-fed and electricity-free, designed for rural realities. With nano-scale pores just 0.1 micron wide, it removes 99.9999 percent of harmful bacteria such as E. coli, typhoid, and cholera. In addition, it has been tested against World Health Organization and South African National Standard specifications. Therefore, it delivers safe water instantly, without chemicals or boiling.
From river to glass: PureFlow Amanzi turns unsafe water into clean, drinkable water.
For a mother in Cwebeni, PureFlow Amanzi means no more smoke-filled kitchens. For a child in an Early Childhood Development centre, it means fewer sick days and more time to learn. Furthermore, studies show that safe water in schools can reduce absenteeism by up to 50 percent. That statistic translates into brighter futures for children across the region.
Watch to learn more about iThemba Kuluntu & the PureFlow Amanzi project
To watch how the PureFlow Amanzi system works:
Impact in Numbers
Since its inception, PureFlow Amanzi has:
Behind each number is a family, a child, and a community whose dignity has been restored.
More Than Water
iThemba Kuluntu’s vision extends beyond filtration. They run soup kitchens and distribute food hampers. In addition, they establish Community Training Gardens to strengthen food security. Their Early Childhood Development and Youth Centres nurture over 100 young learners, weaving water safety into daily routines. Most importantly, by training local residents to assemble filters, they ensure that jobs and skills stay within the community.
Harvest day at iThemba Kuluntu’s sustainable garden project, bringing healthy food to local children and families.
Closing Reflection
As we observed World Water Day, iThemba Kuluntu’s story reminded us that safe water is more than a technical fix. It is infrastructure for dignity. It is the difference between a mother cooking without smoke, a child learning without illness, and a community freed from the daily risks of unsafe water.
Ultimately, their work shows that with homegrown innovation and community-driven development, we can bridge the rural-urban divide. In doing so, we ensure that no child is denied opportunity simply because they lacked safe water.
Together, we can make every drop count.