KOUGA – “I thought I was going to watch from the fence . . .”
Those were the words that stayed with Kouga Local Municipality employee Ziyanda Kilimani long after the matric farewell lights dimmed and the music faded.
For a young learner standing in formal attire for the first time, attending the matric farewell had once seemed impossible – a celebration reserved for others with financial means. Instead of walking proudly into the venue alongside classmates, the learner believed they would simply “watch from the fence.”
But thanks to Kilimani’s growing community initiative, A Dream Come True Matric Dance by Lady Zee, that learner entered the hall with confidence, dignity, and the belief that they too deserved to be celebrated.
In the small community of Thornhill in the Kouga region, where opportunities are often limited and financial hardship remains a reality for many families, Kilimani is quietly changing lives – one learner, one football player, and one dream at a time.
By profession, she is an employee at Kouga Local Municipality. Beyond office hours, however, she has become a passionate youth mentor, sports leader, and community builder whose work stretches far beyond her job description.
“I believe if you have the means to uplift someone, you should use it,” she says.
Raised in Thornhill, Kilimani understands struggle intimately. Growing up in a less fortunate household, she watched her parents work tirelessly to provide for their children despite financial limitations. Those early experiences shaped her understanding of dignity, sacrifice, and the emotional impact of exclusion.
It was this understanding that inspired her to establish A Dream Come True Matric Dance by Lady Zee – an initiative aimed at supporting academically deserving matric learners who cannot afford to attend their matric farewell.
The programme provides assistance with attire, grooming, and transport, ensuring that learners from disadvantaged backgrounds can experience one of the most important milestones of their school journey without shame or embarrassment.
For Kilimani, the matric farewell represents far more than a social event.
“It is closure, recognition, and motivation,” she explains. “When learners miss it because of money, it feels like their hard work does not count.”
Working closely with schools such as Hankey Secondary School, the initiative identifies learners who are financially vulnerable yet disciplined and academically committed. Each year, the programme aims to support one boy and one girl, offering them an opportunity many families simply cannot afford.
Although the initiative remains small, its impact has already been deeply felt. Since 2024, three matric learners have benefited from the programme, with plans to assist two additional learners this year.
Much of the funding still comes directly from Kilimani herself, supported by community members and local donors who believe in the cause.
But empowering young people has long been part of Kilimani’s mission.
She is also the founder of Thornhill Uprising Stars Football Club, where football serves not only as a sport, but as a tool for mentorship, discipline, and youth development. Through the club, she works to keep young people away from crime, substance abuse, and negative influences while encouraging teamwork, commitment, and self-belief.
Her leadership in sport has already made history in Kouga. Kilimani became the first woman to lead a football team to Inland Stream Premier League victory – an achievement that challenged stereotypes and opened doors for young women aspiring to lead in male-dominated spaces.
“The biggest challenge is being underestimated,” she says. “I have had to prove myself twice over – not just in results, but in consistency and character.”
Last year, her dedication was recognised when she became the first recipient of Kouga’s StrongHER Award, honouring her contribution to youth empowerment and community leadership.
The award was part of an exciting international collaboration between the City of Birmingham, Alabama, and Kouga Local Municipality.
Yet, despite the growing recognition, Kilimani insists that awards are not what sustain her passion.
“The real motivation is seeing someone’s life shift because someone decided not to look away,” she says.
Today, her vision stretches beyond farewell evenings and football tournaments. Kilimani hopes to grow A Dream Come True Matric Dance by Lady Zee into a structured programme offering scholarships, mentorship, career guidance, and life-skills development for disadvantaged learners across the Kouga region.
At the centre of that dream is a simple but powerful belief: every young person deserves to feel seen, valued, and capable of building a future beyond their circumstances.
And for the learner who once believed they would only “watch from the fence,” that belief has already changed everything.
For more information, contact Kilimani at 067 986 1738.
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