Soli Deo Gloria Care centre

Lydenburg — officially renamed Mashishing since 2006, though the old name remains in widespread local use — sits in the Drakensberg foothills of Mpumalanga, a small town better known for its proximity to the Kruger National Park lowveld than for its social challenges. But behind the tourism economy lies a reality that Soli Deo Gloria Care Centre has been addressing, one resident at a time, since its founding: extreme poverty, homelessness, orphaning, and the abandonment of elderly people by families who cannot afford to care for them.

The Centre's name — Soli Deo Gloria, Latin for "Glory to God alone" — reflects its founding spiritual commitment and the character of its Managing Director, Pastor Gerda Venter, who describes the Centre's goal as: "to help as many traumatized people as we possibly can, to prevent and alleviate human suffering while helping the homeless and disadvantaged Christians grow in their faith." The Centre operates as a registered NPC (2017/154560/08) with PBO status (930068272) and Section 18A tax-exempt status, from 1 Simmond Street, Lydenburg — a site behind the Lydenburg Test Grounds and Licensing Office.

Who Soli Deo Gloria Serves

The Centre's current population of approximately 175 residents falls into three groups:

Children (30 currently): Orphaned, abandoned, and vulnerable children who have no family to care for them. Each child, as the organisation's website notes, "has a story of hardship." Children are provided with accommodation, food, school access, and care. In 2023, Swiss4Afrika — the Centre's primary international fundraising partner — shared the story of Michael Ndlovu, a 34-year-old resident who had been illiterate from birth, ostracised by society, and taken in by Soli; a dedicated education programme now aims to teach him to read and write.

Seniors (25 currently): Destitute elderly people who have nothing and no one. The Centre provides safe accommodation, three meals per day, and medical care. Swiss4Afrika enables child and senior sponsorships at approximately R700 per person per month.

Families: Homeless and economically destitute families — the core population of what Swiss4Afrika describes as "an informal settlement shelter" — living in conditions that range from caravans to dilapidated wooden structures to concrete rooms with leaky roofs. Improving this accommodation is the Centre's most urgent ongoing project.

Services

Accommodation — Residential shelter for all residents. An active upgrade project is working to replace dilapidated caravans and tool sheds with secure, dry, warm Wendy houses and concrete rooms. The first Wendy house was completed with anonymous funding; further funding is urgently needed.

Three Meals Per Day — Full catering for all residents.

Medical Care — Provided in partnership with Pediatric Care Africa (PCA), whose Dr Soretha du Plessis and Dr André Hattingh make regular medical outreach visits to the Centre — conducting consultations, donating supplies, and providing essential health care. PCA has delivered supplies by helicopter during emergency periods (April 2020 during COVID-19 lockdown).

Counselling and Mentorship — The Centre provides counselling and mentorship support to residents — particularly relevant for children and families emerging from trauma, domestic violence, and destitution.

Community Partnerships — Soli Deo Gloria works in collaboration with Thaba Chweu Municipality, Home Affairs, CMR (Christian Mission Relief), SAPS, DSD (Department of Social Development), RATA, and the Magistrate Court to provide comprehensive support to residents and facilitate access to government services and justice.

Note on GBV Relevance

Soli Deo Gloria is not a dedicated GBV shelter but is directly relevant to survivors in the following ways. Women who have fled abusive situations and become homeless — along with their children — may find refuge here. The counselling and mentorship services address trauma. The partnership with SAPS and the Magistrate Court enables justice referrals. And the Centre's care for destitute seniors and children means it is an important safety net for family members of GBV survivors who cannot care for dependants during a crisis. Juliana van Heerden (Financial Director) noted: "We do not receive any government support and we are in distress." Contact and donations are urgently needed.

*Soli Deo Gloria Care Centre: 1 Simmond Street, Lydenburg (Mashishing), Mpumalanga, 1120. Phone: +27 72 402 6595 (Pastor Gerda Venter). Email: solideo.gloriasorg@gmail.com. NPC 2017/154560/08. PBO 930068272. S18A receipts available. Website: solideogloriacarecentre.org. Facebook: Soli Deo Gloria Care Centre Lydenburg