Dr JS Moroka — A community-based non-profit organisation is making a tangible impact in Maphanga Village through grassroots initiatives aimed at restoring dignity, improving access to education and addressing basic infrastructure needs.
Siyanceda/Reyathusa Organisation, a bilingual call to action meaning “We are helping” in isiNdebele and Sesotho, was established in September 2022, following a community meeting where residents resolved to respond collectively to challenges facing the village. While many non-profit organisations (NGOs) spend months drafting proposals, Siyanceda/Reyathusa believes in the “low-hanging fruit.” In its first meeting, members raised R600 and they bought sanitary pads for Ukuphumula Kwesizwe Intermediate School learners.
Since its launch about three years ago, Siyanceda/Reyathusa now has a 12-member committee supported by a youth office, which plays an instrumental role in ensuring that the organisation tackles everything, from infrastructure projects to education support.
After three months of its establishment, in December 2022, the organisation mobilised community resources to build the village’s first cemetery toilets. “What I think we are different from other NGOs is the fact that we don’t wait for funding; we allow anyone to contribute anything for us to push our objectives. We are not specific to one objective or sector; we do charity, support sports, and work with the education sector because we are responsive to what the community actually needs,” said founder Sipho Masimola.
The organisation has prioritised education support as a key focus area. Its annual Back-to-School programme, held from mid-January to mid-February, supports learners from disadvantaged households with essential school supplies. By conducting door-to-door profiling of the village, the team identifies exactly which families are struggling. They don’t just see statistics; they see neighbours.
“The lack of proper school supplies is not just a minor setback; it can lead to learners losing their dignity, falling behind and ending up dropping out. We know first-hand how tough it is for a learner to be different from others. Our objective is to give them the dignity they deserve so they only have their studies to worry about,” said Masimola.
The organisation’s work has begun to attract broader recognition. Its annual Career Expo — which hosts institutions like the University of South Africa, University of Johannesburg and the University of Mpumalanga — was recently featured in the SABC television, bringing the story of Maphanga Village to screens across South Africa.
It also earned them an audience with AmaNdebele King Makhosoke and the Executive Mayor of Dr JS Moroka Local Municipality, Nomsa Sanny Mtshweni.
Despite its successes, including helping local youth to access Youth Empowerment Service learnerships at Eskom and the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA), the road ahead is steep. A lack of consistent funding remains a major obstacle.
“The government alone cannot reach every individual, but since we know each other, let us hold each other’s hand and guide each other to a brighter future. It is about the difference we are making in the learners’ lives, not just the stats,” said Masimola.
