Creativity. Compassion. Community.
In 2022, Badisa Tygerberg introduced Kuumba Care – a movement that started with a heart for children and grew into a national call to care for the vulnerable across all stages of life.
Rooted in the belief that true care is about more than words, Kuumba Care uses creativity to inspire meaningful action. It now unites all Badisa’s care initiatives—supporting children, families, the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and those affected by substance dependency.
Kuumba means “to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we found it.” That’s our mission. And with your help, we’re building a South Africa where everyone is empowered, nurtured, and given a chance to thrive.
Kuumba's story
Kuumba is more than a mascot. He’s the heart behind the brand—a symbol of resilience, healing, and the power of community.
Read Kuumba’s heartwarming story and discover how a fictional character from Rainbow Land became a powerful ambassador for real change.
Kuumba lived in Rainbow Land. One day he sat on the clouds and saw the children on Earth playing. He wanted to play with them and slid down the rainbow and had a wonderful time playing with them.
When darkness fell, Kuumba realised that it was time to go home. However, the rainbow had already disappeared and he could not get back.
Kuumba was all alone in the dark and had nowhere to go. All the children had already gone home and Kuumba was alone and afraid, walking aimlessly in the streets.
Suddenly, a few gangsters attacked him and did awful things to him. Alone and hurt, a volunteer from Badisa Tygerberg found Kuumba and said that she knew just the place to take him.
She took him to a safe place called Badisa and the kind people there cared for him. They took him to the hospital to tend his wounds and cleaned him up. They gave him something to eat and a warm bed to sleep in.
Badisa wanted to help Kuumba get back home, but he decided that he wanted to stay on Earth and help them to care for children in need, just as they helped him.
Kuumba merchandise
Support Kuumba Care by purchasing exclusive Kuumba merchandise!
When you support Kuumba, you are making a change in the life of a child.
Proceeds from every purchase go towards funding our child protection initiatives.
Kuumba's song by Jak de Priester
Inspired by the spirit of care, creativity, and community, Kuumba’s song reflects the heart of Kuumba Care’s mission: to care for and protect vulnerable children in South Africa. Written exclusively for Badisa by well-known Afrikaans singer and songwriter, Jak de Priester, Kuumba’s song appeals to young and old as we rally around the children in our communities.
Book a Kuumba visit
Do you want to bring Kuumba’s creativity and care to your school or community? Our life-sized Kuumba mascot is available for visits in selected areas:
- Schools
- Hospitals
- Community centres
- Special events
Contact reception@badisatygerberg.org.za today!
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