Botshabelo History

 Botshabelo began with members of Urban Life Church responding to the needs of the local community and a call to be a ‘Place of Refuge’. Specific plans for Botshabelo were established when the church purchased a 20 acre piece of land in 1998. Previously ministry to the poor, orphans and widows had been limited but the heart of the church was also to keep these a priority. The  property, with an assortment of old buildings in various states of disrepair, facillitated the vision to impact the community being fulfilled to a greater extent. Botshabelo was established as a NGO in 2000 to facilitate the vision becoming a reality.

Botshabelo is a "ministry arm" of Urban Life Church, but is legally a seperate entity in that it is a registered Non Profit Organisation with seperate financial accounting and annual auditing. Botshabelo also has Public Benefit Organisation status which allows individuals and companies to recieve a tax rebate for any donations given to Botshabelo. The church subsidises many practical aspects of Botshabelo such as water/ lights, use of facillities, security and spiritual oversight.

Botshabelo has an active Board which governs and oversees the activities of the organisation. Specific  Board members have oversight over different projects  and meet with the Programme Managers regularly to give input and direction.