Aurorah
What does your company do?
Aurorah Kuils River CAN is a community-driven non-profit company based in Kuils River, Western Cape, founded in April 2020 by activist Latifah Jacobs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially providing food relief, it has grown to support various aspects of community development. Core activities include:
Food Security: Assisting vulnerable families
Aurorah Kuils River CAN focuses on youth empowerment, education support, and community engagement to create a resilient and thriving community, addressing local issues and fostering a stronger, unified community.
Education: Running a mini-library and literacy workshops in Sunbird Park to promote reading and literacy. And creating a safe space for children to engage
Health and Wellness: Conducting awareness programmes on social issues like substance abuse and gender-based violence, along with self-defence and healing workshops.
Economic Empowerment: Supporting small business startups using social grants and helping with training and resource access.
Community Engagement: Promoting volunteerism and community participation in various initiatives.
What is your biggest success?
“My greatest achievement has been transforming community pain into purpose-driven action. Through founding Aurorah NPC and leading grassroots initiatives during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ve helped establish food security networks, youth empowerment programmes, and healing spaces for survivors of gender-based violence. These efforts have grown into sustainable, people-led movements that centre justice, dignity, and hope—especially for those most marginalised. For me, the real achievement is seeing others rise because they were given the tools and support to believe in themselves again.”
What has been your biggest hurdle?
As the founder of Aurorah Kuils River CAN, I would say my biggest challenge has been securing enough funding, volunteers, and support structures to meet the immediate needs of our community while also planning for the future. In those early days, we were faced with overwhelming demand and very limited resources, and there were definitely moments of doubt about whether we could sustain our efforts. But I found that perseverance and building trust within the community really carried us forward.
Another hurdle was dealing with the emotional weight of the work—listening to people’s struggles and making sure we were there for them, even when it was tough on us too. What helped me navigate those moments was leaning on our dedicated volunteers and creating strong networks of care and support. Even with these challenges, I’ve found that every obstacle has made me stronger and more adaptable. Most importantly, it’s taught me the power of compassion and the incredible things a community can achieve when we work together.
