The Mamadi Advice Centre (MAC) is an NPO situated in Taaibosch GaMamadi, a predominately farming district falling under the Blouberg Municipality in Capricorn, Limpopo. It was founded in 1998 by a retired Human Rights activist in direct response to the needs of the community, most of whom are indigent or foreign nationals (farmworkers). All Board and staff members are drawn from the local community; two are HIV+ and open about their status.

The Director represents the organisation on both the Blouberg AIDS Council, and the Blouberg Technical AIDS Council. According to the Census 2011, the total population of Ga Mamadi as 5,349 with a dependency ratio of 97.8 and apex ratio of 81.4. Nearly 37% of people over 20 years have received no schooling whilst only 12,4% are matriculants. 63,5% of the 1,244 households are female headed. However, MAC’s reach extends throughout the Blouberg Municipality, including the towns of Molemole, Makhado and Musina, together with their surrounding villages and farms.

We operate a full-time advice desk, and also outreach programmes which consist of rights-based community dialogues, awareness campaigns and workshops. Since 2012, MAC has been contracted by the Dept. of Labour to inform farmworkers of their labour-related rights. We were further awarded a grant from MAGI to address foreign nationals on their rights and to encourage HIV testing in the community. Mamadi Advice Centre has a strong relationship with the Human Rights Commission, Black Sash, Legal Aid South Africa, the Depts. of Social Development and Labour, Agri South Africa and SAPS. We also have a healthy relationship with the five Traditional Leaders serving our area and are accommodated within the Tribal Council offices at no rental.

The WVLSA project aims to encourage and promote active citizenry amongst women, people living with disability and their families in Blouberg municipality, Capricorn so they may hold service providers accountable and claim their constitutional rights, with emphasis on education, employment, domestic violence, sexual and reproductive health. 360 Women and disabled people will be well informed on all laws, policies, protocols and departmental mandates relevant to their well-being and have enhanced agency to exercise those rights.