News

Zisize Education team has been hard at work this past week. We have been training Foundation phase teachers in UMkhanyakude District on the purposes of library corners and how to set them up. The main function of a classroom library is to support reading and writing instruction. The following Schools have been trained thus far: Mpukunyoni primary, Mtubatuba primary, Chwebeni primary, Ntikili primary, Engweni primary, KwaNyamazane primary, Mfolozi primary, Khiphinkunzi primary and Mfundabasha primary. Well done to the team - Mrs Mthimkhulu, Mrs Mlambo and Miss Sindy Mbhamali!

It was a bittersweet day as we bid farewell to four members of staff who are going into retirement. They have played a pivotal role in the running of the organisation; Ms Thalitha Thabethe thank you for the many years you spent cooking on non-school days for orphaned and vulnerable children at Mbalekelwa primary school. Ms Thembisile Nyawo, you have been a carer, cleaner and a cook at Mpontshini primary school. What a great job you did! Mr Lokoza Mkhaliphi. Thank you for the many years you worked as a groundsman/ guard and food security officer. Mr December Mabona. Our golden driver. Thank you for the many years of service and good driving skills. We wish you good health and happiness in your retirement! Siyabonga ngemisebenzi emihle.

Zisize had a busy day yesterday delivering School uniforms to orphaned and vulnerable children in Ingwavuma. All this was made possible by a donation made by Thenga Holdings. The children were overjoyed to receive their full set of uniforms which included shoes, socks and school bag.

Zisize Educational Trust would like to extend heartfelt appreciation to the Kavod trust for granting the Nyawo family's Christmas wish. Plenty of tears of joy were shed when the family of 16 residing in Jozini received keys to their brand new fully furnished house on the 23rd of December 2020.

Book Dash donated books for younger ones to read in Ingwavuma. Zisize Mentors have been assisting parents and caregivers on how to help children develop the love of reading from home . Zisize got books from Book Dash through the help of Solon Foundation SA. Mentors help granny and child headed households by reading to children. Thank you Solon Foundation! Thank you Book Dash!

The Covid-19 pandemic brought about much turmoil in the lives of many. Wearing of masks became the new normal. For an organisation like Zisize, outsourcing funds to buy or make masks for staff members and children in foster care was a daunting task. A group of volunteers in Somerset West known as 'Masks That Matter' came to the rescue! This dedicated group of volunteers made masks for Zisize staff and Ekukhanyeni scheme foster children. They also sent ready cut material so that the Zisize social enterprise team could continue to sew and sell masks. Zisize Educational Trust would like to extend heartfelt appreciation to the entire 'Masks that matter team' in Somerset West and to all who supported this cause by buying material and also buying the masks we made.

This is a community garden in Nonjinjikazi under ward 11 of the Jozini municipality which is thriving because of the borehole that Zisize installed through the help of funders. By provision of this borehole, so many families now have access to water for consumption and their gardens. The beneficiaries are able to eat healthy meals now. If you want to make a difference in the lives of Zisize beneficiaries ,get in touch to make your donation.

Day 1 at Zisize Crèche. It was fun the whole day for the little ones. They took us by surprise as there were only two criers this time around. Teachers had braced up for a crying contest but 2018 was different. We did see a few bathroom accidents from those who were scared to ask for the bathroom. Welcome to the world of school!!

Christmas festivities at Ekukhanyeni Children's Home a Zisize's brain child and an alternative home for children who need a home. Each year the director of Zisize takes it upon herself to prepare a Christmas lunch and spend the day with our kids. Thank you mama Hlengiwe for the love you give to the kids. Thank you to all the Ekukhanyeni staff and all who came to lend a hand and made 2017 Christmas a memorable one for the children.

Zisize board of directors, management and staff would like to wish all our beneficiaries, donors, funders and other supporters a fabulous festive season and a happy New Year. Thank you for your support in 2017. We would not have been able to make it without you. We are looking forward to your support in 2018. Thank you. Here is a photo of our Zisize Preschool Graduation 2017!

We held drama and choral verse competitions this past week for the Grade Rs and the Grade Ones. It was a huge success! Manyiseni Primary school swooped the trophy for position 1 while Khume Primary School and Nkungwini Primary School got position 2 and 3 respectively. We are so proud of the talent that was showcased. Keep it up teachers!!!! The Grade Ones also had their Festival of books Competition!

Zisize Educational Trust hosted its annual Girls Camp on 4 to 6 October 2017. It was fun for the whole 3 days. The girls learnt: leadership skills; dealing with stigma an other inequalities; first aid skills; working as a team; how to say no to early sexual debut and how to avoid teenage pregnancy. They played games and sung songs. On Friday as part of career grooming and orientation, they visited different government departments and other places to learn about careers and occupations. Finally they had to do a Good turn. They visited the children admitted at Mosvold Pediatric Ward, bearing gifts and a cake for the little patients. They performed for them and also learnt about pediatric nursing.

Zisize crèche kids watering their veggie garden. They are learning that food comes from the soil and that plants need a drink too!

Our Zisize (Ingwavuma) Educational Trust 2016 Career Expo began on the 21 May at 09h00 with a lovely breakfast provided by our hospitality team. Here are some photos from the expo.

We are taking health care services to the people. From 2 to 27 November 2015 Zisize is running the Wellness Wagon Programme funded by Starfish. The Wellness Wagon staffed by nurses and a social worker is visiting 13 communities in Ingwavuma.

Five young people from the Ingwavuma area, whom Zisize has supported through University, were awarded their BA degrees at University of Zululand! It was a wonderful day and a phenomenal achievement. Sphiwe & Dennis have been supported by Zisize since they were orphaned at primary school; Phineas has lived at Ekukhanyeni during his high school and university years; Ncami was a relief mentor for Zisize prior to attending university, so we have a close, long term and personal relationship with all of them. Thandukukhanya has also achieved against huge odds. All of them are now studying for their PGCE so that they can return to teach in Ingwavuma.From left to right: Thandukukhanya Dlamini BA; Ncamsile Ntshangase BA; Dennis Ntimbane BA; Sphiwe Mdluli BA; Phineas Mafuleka BA.

Xola Nyawo, who had been sponsored at University of Zululand by Zisize supporters has just heard that following his graduation as a Bachelor of Education, he has been offered a teaching post at Mbalekelwa Primary School. Congratulations!

Four Ingwavuma children, who attended Zamimpilo Special School as boarders, were killed when the bus in which they were travelling from a sports event at Richards Bay crashed, killing eight children and injuring 19 others and a teacher. Our sincere condolences to their families. All the children had been placed at the school by Zisize's psychologist, so we share their grief.

A group of supporters took part in the Cape Argus Cycle ride, raising a phenomenal £19546 (approx R270000) for Zisize! A huge thank you to Gareth, Kate & Ella Penny, Giles & Dani Neville, Stephanie & Beetle Pardoe, Miranda, Andrew & Nix Perrott and their friends, colleagues and families who sponsored them.

Hanef Bhamjee from ACTSA Wales presented a cheque to Niki in Pietermaritzburg for R6800. Thank you to our ACTSA supporters in Wales.

100 children at Zisize's partner schools have learned to play chess. Several are so good they have participated successfully in local, regional and provincial competitions but Mlando (photo) - a 12 year old pupil from Entabayengwe Primary School took part in the National South African Junior Chess Championships in Cape Town - what an achievement for an Ingwavuma child!