On Wednesday November 27, Masikhule celebrated its Masikhule Top 5 awards 2019 at Sage & Thyme, with the early childhood development (ECD) principals and educators who received awards, and some of the NPO’s partners and donors.
The annual event is held to recognise excellence in ECD in a challenging environment and rewarding those who have gone above and beyond during the year.
Masikhule is an NPO founded in the Helderberg in 2005. It trains women from marginalised communities to be ECD educators. It mentors those who receive their training, and provides resources to assist with implementation of the training material. The five ECD centres that received trophies are all pre-schools that Masikhule worked with through the year with regards to training, mentoring, early intervention and assisting with resources and nutrition.
The following awards were made:
The Golden Sunbeams trophy for “Most Promising Newcomer 2019” was awarded to Dorothy Masunda of Little Stars Pre-school in Zola.
The Hoepfl family trophy for “Best ECD Programme Implementation 2019” was awarded to Zimkita Nkani of Lwandle Baptist Kids in Lwandle.
The CHEAFRICA trophy for “Best ECD Management 2019” was awarded to Naomi Malebo of Great Beginning Pre-school in Asanda Village.
The Erinvale Eagles trophy for “Teacher of Excellence 2019” was awarded to Lizelda Christiaan of Incredibles Playschool, Eerste River.
The Jordaan family trophy for “Best Implementation of Teacher Enrichment Workshops 2019” was awarded to Maryka Plaatjies of Maryka’s Educare, Eerste River.
In addition, two young educators were also acknowledged and presented with certificates for outstanding work through the year:
ECD educators of excellence certificates were awarded to Melisa Buys and Allison Buys of Nuwe Begin Educare in Gustrouw, Strand.
Masikhule and the award-winners thanked the donors and sponsors that make their work possible. They are looking forward to a full programme in 2020, details of which can be found at www.masikhule.org
They appeal to businesses and organisations who also believe that ECD is essential in breaking the cycle of poverty, to support them, as funding is essential for them to continue with their work that uplifts and upskills hundreds of women every year – who go on to educate and nurture thousands of children over their careers. Contact info@masikhule.org for more information.
