On Friday, 10 June 2022, the Breadline Africa team joined the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and the children and teachers of Yibanathi Educare Centre to celebrate the launch of two new classrooms, a kitchen and a toilet unit.
The centre is located in Monwabisi Park, an informal settlement of more than 5,500 households located along the southern boundary of Khayelitsha, Cape Town’s largest township. The pre-school has grown since its establishment in 2004 and today, 135 young children attend from the surrounding community.
Previously, the school consisted of metal shack structures divided into classrooms, kitchen and toilet facilities. The principal, Phindeka Ndaza, was hoping to register with the authorities to receive a small daily subsidy for each child, but the poor condition of the structures made it impossible. But thanks to the generosity of the DBSA, she will be able to successfully register her pre-school with the Department of Social Development.
Ms Sebolelo Matsoso, DBSA representative, said: “We partnered with Breadline Africa because we felt we could do a lot of work in the ECD sector together. We define our purpose at DBSA as ‘Building Africa’s Prosperity’ and we can all agree that we are building this prosperity for our children, these children. My last words are for these little ones – where you are born, where you come from, does not determine your future. I want these children to dream big and to be the future we need to see in South Africa.”
The principal, Phindeka, thanked DBSA and Breadline Africa for their support and generosity, explaining that she had been advised to apply for infrastructure by Breadline Africa’s partner organisation, Sikhula Sonke, and within months, her greatest wish was granted. “I am hoping that Breadline Africa will assist other pre-schools in this way so that they can get to registration. I am on my way to being registered once again! I am very grateful – thank you.”
Breadline Africa board member, Godfrey Mokaeane added his thanks: “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the team at DBSA, for making this possible. As we strive to reach as many children as we can in South Africa, Its great to have partners like yourself, dedicated to schools and the lives of the children in our country. Thank you for your support. I also want to thank the Yibanathi staff for trusting us with supporting you and helping you to look for a better future for these young children. We are grateful to you for giving us that opportunity and we wish you all the best.”
