Born from tragedy.
Driven by Purpose.
The story of Zanethemba is the story of two teenage sweethearts who turned an unimaginable personal tragedy into a beacon of hope for the Cape Flats.
A 46-Year Legacy in Bridgetown
Donovan and Carol Palmer began their journey as teenage sweethearts who accepted Jesus and started a life of ministry together. For 46 years, they labored in the community of Bridgetown, teaching Sunday school and doing youth work.
Over the decades, they witnessed firsthand how the scourge of drugs and substance abuse was ruining the youth—sometimes the very children they had taught. The heartbreak hit home when they discovered three of their own sons had become addicted.
In December 1998, their second eldest son, who had recently accepted Jesus, was tragically killed by a stray bullet at their front gate.
While many advised them to leave Bridgetown, this tragedy only intensified their desire and passion. The call to spread hope became louder as desperate parents knocked on their doors crying for help. In 2007, studying the "Purpose Driven Life," they officially established Zanethemba Community Outreach.
Through the Years
A lifetime of love, community, and unwavering dedication.
Our Foundation
The principles that guide our everyday operations and fieldwork.
Our Vision
To reach out to those enslaved by addiction and their families who are destitute and needy. To embrace and mentor them throughout a recovery process and empower them for future leadership and sustainability.
Our Mission
To effectively reintegrate clients into their families, communities, and workplaces. We partner with and develop foundations that bring stability through values, ethics, education, and skills.
Our Aim
To address the holistic needs of the individual to develop and nurture them into truly understanding and appreciating their own self-worth.