October 15 marks International Rural Womans’ Day – day first marked by the United Nations in 2008.  Dundee is on the edge of a massive rural area where finding water – not to mention electricity – food and education is an everyday struggle – even after 20 years of democracy.

However, in rural Dannhauser area a culture of learning and teaching is being instilled in the minds of impoverished Boswell Farm residents – who are mainly women.

Sinethemba Centre Manager and teacher, Thami Oliphant, with Bongani Khanyile, who allows his premises to be used for adult education.

Local resident Thami Olifant, is doing his bit to teach these rural women the importance of education, the dangers of drugs, veld fires, water conservation and HIV/Aids.  She does these through a series of dramatic sketches  performed at the Sinethemba Mission Centre for  adult learners.

Residents in the area, known as Boswell Farm, have no nearby primary or high schools, and there is a high rate of unemployment in the area. Children walk more than 20km to get to the closest schools in neighbouring areas.

The adult learners are now accommodated at Bongani Khanyile’s crèche in order for them to be educated. The community appreciates that they are being taught about the social ills which plaque their area, and they have realised the importance of education.

This centre, which Mr Khanyile allows the students to use, has 30 people being accommodated there. Mr Khanyile said, “I decided to donate the structures as I have seen that there is a high rate of illiteracy in the area. I realised the importance of education while I was working as an assistant engineer in Johannesburg.
“I completed Matric while I working there because it was hard for me to communicate with others. I decided to attend night classes, as I left school in Grade 7. I decided to go and work because my parents had passed away,” he said, adding that he had initially wanted to study law.

Sinethemba Centre Manager and teacher, Thami Oliphant, said, “I was approached by Mr Khanyile and other adults, who asked that I come to assist with their education. I did not hesitate to do so, because I know that in that area people are uneducated, and therefore decided to assist with my skills.”

Speaking on behalf of the adult learners, Nokwanda Ngema (27) said, “We thank Mr Khanyile for allowing us the use of his building for learning in the afternoons. There are no schools in the area, and we are living on a farm where there are many unemployed and illiterate people. 
“We are grateful to Mr Khanyile for his help, and most of the community is willing to enrol at the centre next year. Now know all about the social problems that affect ourcommunity,” Ms Ngema said.

Do you know of any local unsung heroes out there who are doing all they can to uplift the plight of especially rural women in our area.  If so let us know by commenting on our facebook page


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