Fertile Ground

Shiraaz Ismail
“Do the best that you can, look back at what you did and then do better"

Shiraaz is a sound engineer, radio producer - presenter and part of the logistics team with Bush Community radio in Cape Town. As an intern he produces and presents the breakfast show, records and edits interviews, compiles play lists and trains new interns and volunteers, all while ensuring a quality radio broadcast.

Wth a key role in conceptualizing Fertile Ground projects and being elected a Teen Camp director at the first Fertile Ground Camp in July 2005 Shiraaz is an integral part of Fertile Ground’s operations. From the beginning, Shiraaz has participated in all day and residential camp outings where his enthusiasm, energy and organizational skills have contributed significantly to the fun and success of participants and peer counsellors.

Shiraaz’s presence at the camp guarantees fun, lively activities – including singing sessions that are well known among participants and counsellors alike. Fertile Ground Camps provide the structure, example and experience they do because of people like Shiraaz who lead by example and make a difference in their community.

Siya Baleni
“Together we stand, divided we fall”

Siya was born in the Eastern Cape in a village called Dimbaza. In 1991, after completing his lower grades of education he moved out and completed his middle grades and high school education in Cape Town.

Forming life skills through sports and partnerships with Hoops for Hope and the HIV answers program of The Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) Siya brings a wealth of experience to Fertile Ground camps.

In 2005, he met Jawaya and Robert with the Fertile Ground Organization at an HIV prevention march in Hout bay and started volunteering at the camps where his skills, energy and charisma soon had him appointed as Camp Director by his peers. Volunteering with Fertile Ground, he gained information about HIV, substance abuse, gender, and inequality leading him to seek opportunities to affect change in his community. Siya has an exceptionally good rapport with adolescents and children who look upon him as a great older brother figure and mentor.

Sibu Zulu

Sibu is an HIV activist and a Postgraduate student at the University of Cape Town pursuing Disability Studies. Her educational background in Youth Development and psychology as well as her current educational path make her a perfect fit to Fertile Grounds mission and mandate.

While furthering her education Sibu also works at the University of Cape Town Disability Service and volunteers with Fertile Ground. Her passion for working with youth, who are struggling with disabilities and medical conditions such as HIV/AIDS and Cancer, comes naturally, as she has previously worked for the University of Stellenbosch and Love Life as a ground breaker / peer educator.

After Sibu has finished her education, she hopes to apply her experience with Fertile Ground by establishing her own NGO that will work to ensure that youth from South Africa’s Townships get the chance to go on to University by instilling in them a solid work ethic and building life skills.

Shiraaz leading a group activity

Siya in a group activity

Sibu facilitating a workshop at a camp