Siyathuthuka translated to English means “We are developing”. Siyathuthuka Creche is the only Early Childhood Development (ECD) facility in the area, serving 2 communities of eSikwakwaneni and Magwenya areas in KwaMduku with a population of about 3600 of people. The creche currently has an enrolment of 41 children who are taken care of by 3 volunteers (Sindy and a further 2 educators). It also has an active creche committee made up of 7 members.
In South Africa, children from birth to four years old represent 10% of the population. Statistics SA report that only 37% of children 0-4 years attend an Early Childhood Development (ECD) facility, with the greatest access in urban areas. The Department of Social Development oversees pre-school education in South Africa and provide guidelines and specification to be met in order for a crèche to be formally registered and receive financial support – an operational subsidy of approx. 15 Rand per child enrolled.
Only 10 parents can afford to pay fees consistently, the children who do not pay fees do not get turned away, Sindy finances the running costs of the creche out of her own pocket. The building structure has rusted corrugated roofing sheets which leak when it rains. The floors inside the classrooms do not have tiles and they are not conducive for small children crawling or learning to walk unsteadily.
There are no water and sanitation facilities at the creche. Municipal Water Trucks pass by periodically to fill the Jojo tanks in the community or at the primary school next-door, crèche staff then fetch water from either of these locations, taking time away from supervising the children. Lack of water makes it challenging to keep the facility and children especially infants clean. There is no toilet facilities on the property, teachers use a shovel to dig a whole behind the building for children to relieve themselves. The property is not fenced, and there is no playground equipment, making playtime outside very taxing for the teachers who have to make sure children are safe. People and wondering livestock loiter around the facility because it is not fenced, windows have been vandalised as a result.
The Mduku Cycling Club is an emerging cycling club which identifies young and old cyclists from rural communities like Mduku by working with schools and local potential cyclists from neighbouring communities. The Mduku Cycling Club is the biggest cycling club in the uMkhanyakude District. The club identifies young and passionate cyclists within the communities who have demonstrated great potential and talent in cycling and who, if given an opportunity, could race at national and international levels. Representing their community, the team soon realised that the opportunities created by the racing club, could stretch far beyond themselves.
The Mduku Cycling Club has been participating in road races since 2016 with the exception of 2021 and 2022 due to Covid-19 pandemic. Currently 8 out of the 19-cycling team will be participating in the 947 Ride Joburg race that is happening on the 20th of November 2022. The team began fundraising for different projects within their community and have adopted the motto “Ride to better someone”. This year they will be partnering with Wild Impact and cycling to raise funds for Siyathuthuka Creche for a double classroom, kitchen and dining area, enviroloo toilets, a borehole, fencing and play area. For Siyathuthuka Creche, having these facilities will not only create a safe and nurturing environment for the children but will critically ensure that the crèche meets the standards to qualify for government support.
Wild Impact is a Public Benefit Organisation registered in South Africa. Reg. No.: 930002115