Who we are

About Us.

Great Commission United (GCU) is an NPO helping vulnerable communities through youth empowerment programs.

Our Vision

To see a society comprised of stable and healthy families, where children are guided and encouraged to achieve their dreams.

Our Mission

To provide support to local youth through education; sports and life skills opportunities so that they can have a better opportunity in life.

Our Impact So Far.

Creating sustainable and functioning communities is at the core of GCU. We pride ourselves in uplifting the youth to uplift the coming generation by providing meaningful opportunities to grow and learn. OUR REACH SPEAKS FOR ITSELF.

⁺

Coaches Hired

⁺

Tutors Hired

⁺

Learners Reached

Our Key Priorities

At GCU, we support children from under-resourced, gang-affected communities. Through education, physical training, meals, and mentorship, we help them overcome challenges and build a brighter future—for themselves and their communities.

Our Establishment.

Heideveld is an area on the Cape flats, part of greater Cape Town. The Heideveld community faces a number of difficult issues particularly affecting the youth. Broken homes; unemployment; poverty; drugs; and gangsterism are rife and the youth urgently need avenues that provide them with alternatives and hope

The standard of education at Heideveld schools is very poor and, other than those offered by GCU, there are no meaningful extra mural activities for the children to participate in after school or on weekends.

GCU was founded in 2001 by Mario van Niekerk, a person all too familiar with the challenges that face the youth of the gang-ridden Cape Flats in Cape Town. Mario is a former gang member who grew up in Heideveld and still lives there to this day

Our Volunteers

Some of our volunteers bringing change are community members, students, and professionals who choose to give their time, energy, and care to build safer, brighter futures for our children.