Our story begins with the Thokozani Brothers Choir; a group of 10 men who started singing traditional music in Khayelitsha in 1997. In 2004, this choir had an enormous break – their first international performance in Switerzland that celebrated the first decade of democracy in South Africa.
For Mhlangabezi Masizana, this was the first time he had left the country, and it changed the way he saw the world. Born in the Eastern Cape, he had not thought he could get further than Cape Town. He believed only those who were rich and had degrees could go abroad. How could he make this experience possible for others who were growing up with the same outlook as he had while growing up?
That year, Mhlangabezi formed a youth choir of 8 boys aged 8 to 12. However, attendance was irregular. The challenges of poverty, domestic violence, irregular meals, and dependence on social grants made it difficult for many of the boys to attend rehearsal after school. Mhlangabezi visited some of the young boy's homes and quickly realised that many of them lacked father figures. He knew then how he could help these young children even more..
Mhlangabezi started a homework club for the children in his choir to support them with their schoolwork and provide life-long mentors. The response from the community was overwhelming, and so in 2006 he extended the programme to both boys and girls, registering 60 children for both the youth choir and homework clubs. Today, some of the youth who were part of this homework club are now volunteering as tutors, and many more are at studying at university or are currently employed.
But this wasn’t enough – children need to be reached earlier. In 2012, Mhlangabezi worked with his wife, Lindelwa, to start an Educare Centre. They started with only 2 children, but in 4 short years have grown to over 90 children attending the centre daily, who are taught by 4 full time teachers. After school, the couple opens their jungle gym to all children in the community younger than 10 – providing a safe and fun place for them to play.
In 2015, Mhlangabezi and Lindelwa were crucial in piloting the Libromat programme; an innovative initiative which combined parental education and support with affordable laundry services. In 2016, Libromat established their first, fully fledged centre at Thokozani, and offer regular workshops for parents in book-sharing.
Since 2004, the Thokozani Together has reached thousands of children from communities across Khayelitsha. But the centre does more than this. After hours, the centre is used by community groups (such as burial societies and stokvels) for their regular meetings. On the weekends, youth wash cars and dustbins outside to earn extra income. Mhlangabezi and Lindelwa had a vision for a multi-purpose centre serving the community, and this is what you will find on the corner of Thabang Bokolane Road, Town Two, Khayelitsha.
For Mhlangabezi Masizana, this was the first time he had left the country, and it changed the way he saw the world. Born in the Eastern Cape, he had not thought he could get further than Cape Town. He believed only those who were rich and had degrees could go abroad. How could he make this experience possible for others who were growing up with the same outlook as he had while growing up?
That year, Mhlangabezi formed a youth choir of 8 boys aged 8 to 12. However, attendance was irregular. The challenges of poverty, domestic violence, irregular meals, and dependence on social grants made it difficult for many of the boys to attend rehearsal after school. Mhlangabezi visited some of the young boy's homes and quickly realised that many of them lacked father figures. He knew then how he could help these young children even more..
Mhlangabezi started a homework club for the children in his choir to support them with their schoolwork and provide life-long mentors. The response from the community was overwhelming, and so in 2006 he extended the programme to both boys and girls, registering 60 children for both the youth choir and homework clubs. Today, some of the youth who were part of this homework club are now volunteering as tutors, and many more are at studying at university or are currently employed.
But this wasn’t enough – children need to be reached earlier. In 2012, Mhlangabezi worked with his wife, Lindelwa, to start an Educare Centre. They started with only 2 children, but in 4 short years have grown to over 90 children attending the centre daily, who are taught by 4 full time teachers. After school, the couple opens their jungle gym to all children in the community younger than 10 – providing a safe and fun place for them to play.
In 2015, Mhlangabezi and Lindelwa were crucial in piloting the Libromat programme; an innovative initiative which combined parental education and support with affordable laundry services. In 2016, Libromat established their first, fully fledged centre at Thokozani, and offer regular workshops for parents in book-sharing.
Since 2004, the Thokozani Together has reached thousands of children from communities across Khayelitsha. But the centre does more than this. After hours, the centre is used by community groups (such as burial societies and stokvels) for their regular meetings. On the weekends, youth wash cars and dustbins outside to earn extra income. Mhlangabezi and Lindelwa had a vision for a multi-purpose centre serving the community, and this is what you will find on the corner of Thabang Bokolane Road, Town Two, Khayelitsha.
