Upskill Africa
Empowering Communities Through Skills & Unity
Building skills, bridging divides, transforming lives across South Africa.
Our programs are open to South African citizens and foreign nationals living in South Africa. We prioritise unemployed youth and women but welcome anyone eager to learn.
Our main training programs are in Durban for sewing and cell phone repair, home appliance repair, and shoe repair. Community dialogues are held throughout Durban. We are not limited to Durban and are able to setup programs country wide.
Sew to Earn: six months. Cell Phone Repair: three months. Home Appliances Repair & Business: three months. Shoe Repair: course length varies (typically several weeks)
Each includes mentorship and business coaching.
No. Our courses are designed for beginners and include foundational training.
UAI operates on donor support. Participants typically pay minimal fees or none at all; those who can afford to contribute help sustain future programs.
By mixing participants from different nationalities and backgrounds, encouraging collaboration, and hosting community dialogues that tackle shared challenges.
Absolutely. We welcome volunteers with skills in sewing, electronics, mental health, business and facilitation. Contact us to learn about current needs.
Donations fund training materials, equipment, facilitator stipends, mental health workshops, and small business start-up kits for graduates and any travelling expenses, if programs are outside of Durban.
Proceed Thob’sile Ngcobo: After completing the sewing program, she went on to become a full‑time sewing facilitator. Her children now have meals and her husband is proud of her achievements.
Nokuphila: Learned sewing skills that allowed her to start a home‑based business, opening a workshop that serves her community.
Mama Pastor: A refugee from Congo, she now sells dresses and skirts in Durban; her income ensures her children can attend school.
Upskill Africa Initiative (UAI) is a faith-driven nonprofit based in Durban, South Africa. Born from the need to heal divisions and high unemployment rates, UAI creates safe spaces where people and communities learn together. We teach practical trades—sewing, cell phone repair, appliance repair and shoe repair—and pair them with business training, mental health support, and spiritual growth. Our goal is to build sustainable livelihoods while fostering unity.