Sylvia is changing lives one at a time
Popularly known as Ma Mofokeng she adopted more than three children along with her own two children with a single objective, which is to give them a better life and future.
Norkem Park supermom Sylvia Mofokeng (47), founder of the Tawana community NPO, has dedicated her life to nurturing abandoned and orphaned children with the help of the organisation and community.
Popularly known as Ma Mofokeng she adopted more than three children along with her own two children with a single objective, which is to give them a better life and future.
The mother of two has four regimented forms of helping the community – orphan support, a soup kitchen, disability home care and outreach to the elderly.
What inspired and drove the ‘mother of the orphans’ to continue working for social change is her motherly instinct to keep pushing against all the odds.
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“In 2006, while working for an FSP, I used to drive daily and passed jobseekers in the morning on Pongola Road. Returning from work they will still be there.
“I would then wonder what they have eaten the whole day and what about their families who are waiting for them.
“I took it upon myself to start preparing food and dishing up for them. One day I decided to visit one family of a jobseeker. I witnessed the disparity and child neglect which moved me to open my day care, orphanage and feeding scheme.
“The social problems that resonate with me are child neglect and abandonment, the mistreatment of disabled children and abuse of the elderly. I am also passionate about the general poverty in and around Norkem Park.
“My focus is children with physical disabilities, the abandoned and the elderly. I think it’s important for all of us to care as a human race. I still believe I am my brother’s keeper. If we neglect our children, it leads to crime and sex work, as opportunists are always waiting for a chance to take advantage of the poverty of our children.
“When we feed the people through our different programmes, including our soup kitchen, we inspire a positive change in the minds of the people. When we take the disabled to relieve a single parent struggling to make ends meet, we inspire change. When a child is abandoned and we raise them and give them a chance in life.
“I believe we are championing the basic human rights of our people, the young and old, the able and disabled. We believe in equality and something we fight for every day to find a place in the table of freedom.
“We are operating from our own pockets and our soup kitchen is supplied by Africa Awake. We often find ourselves unable to meet the demand at times.
“We have seen the interest of the community, who want to participate and we encourage other residents wishing to assist to visit us at 56a Krokodil Road. They can see what an active role we play to uplift the community,” said Mofokeng.
If you would like to donate or volunteer contact Mofokeng on 072 703 4131 or at Sylviamofokeng11@gmail.com
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