Achieving the dream of a crèche
This year, the crèche finally moved into its very own building, built through an intervention by Khulisa Midlands and other supporting partners in the area
The story of Masihlangane Crèche is in many ways the story of its founder Zuzile Duma. The crèche (situated in Tsakane, just outside Ladysmith) was started in 2004 under the name ‘Little Rose’ with about 15 children. Since then, the creche has relocated several times.
This year, the crèche finally moved into its very own building, built through an intervention by Khulisa Midlands and other supporting partners in the area. After years of personal sacrifice and perseverance, the crèche’s founder is in the process of applying for government assistance. The crèche is currently run solely on limited school fees and donations.
Founder Zuzile Duma first came in contact with Khulisa Midlands in 2003 and 2004 when she applied to participate in the Khulisa MIB Leadership Programme. At this time, Zuzile had completed grade 10 and was unemployed.
The MIB Programme was conducted over 12 months and focused on developing leadership skills. In October 2004, Zuzile identified the need for a crèche in her area, where many children were left unsupervised and threatened by impoverishment and unemployment. However, starting a crèche with limited experience and funds was a challenging undertaking. Nonetheless, without any government support, Zuzile persevered and opened her crèche.
The crèche was originally housed in a shack on the premises of a local ward councillor. Maintaining the relationship she had formed with Khulisa Midlands via the MIB Programme, Zuzile received assistance from Khulisa Midlands in the form of toys, furniture and equipment. However, Zuzile was asked by the ward councillor to leave his property. She was forced to leave without any of her equipment or resources.
Despite this setback, she persevered and found another unused shack to continue her dream. This shack was on the property of a family member and when the time came for them to build on this property, Zuzile had no choice but yet again to find another location for the crèche. The crèche was then moved to its current location in Sibisi Street, Tsakane. Zuzile was able to obtain a prefab container to house the crèche. However, over time, this container deteriorated and the need for a sold structure became apparent. By partnering with her old ally Khulisa Midlands and other partners, a solid structure has now been built on this property.
In the face of these tough conditions, Zuzile has somehow managed to grow her crèche from 15 to 37 children between the age of three and five years old. She has achieved this using school fees of R50 a month, which covers both daycare and meals. Given the crèche’s success and status as an increasingly stable and hopeful venue in its community, it is increasingly used by Khulisa Midlands as a venue for many of its other programmes. This includes Diversion programmes. Many children who have come in contact with the law now come to the crèche to do community service. This includes activities such as playing with the children and making learning aids and toys. Zuzile is one of six community development nominees in the Khulisa ‘Midlands Community Achievers Awards’.
