Group photo of sponsors - Nadia Cilliers of Van Wettens Breakdowns, Mariza de Lange of Container World, Lindi Botha of Mpumalanga Show, Hansie Bingle of BUCO, Pottie Potgieter of BUCO, Amos Ngwamba - founder of Mataffin Community Centre, Pieter Burger CEO Pumas Rugby, Tshepiso Phosa of Milviforce Puma N4, Lewies Dippenaar of Lowveld Coffee, Bianca Rennison – Mrs Mpumalanga and Falkner Bovill of Orbic Architetcs.
Photo: Barry Odendaal.

The impoverished community of Mataffin was filled with laughter and excitement as a container library was donated to orphans living in the Mataffin Woodhouse Community Care Centre on Mandela Day.

This year for the first time, two children from the community have advanced to grade 12. Previously, they would drop out in grade 10. By joining forces, the Steval Pumas, the Mpumalanga Show and Milviforce Puma N4 hope that even more children will have the tools to advance to grade 12. Hence the initiative to collect educational books for the orphans was started.

Some of the kids from the Mataffin Community Centre, the generous sponsors and some of the Pumas players standing outside the container library. Photo: Barry Odendaal.

Centre manager of Mataffin Woodhouse, Amos Ngwamba was thrilled upon receiving the library donation.

“Since 2012 we have been trying our level best to help these orphans as we want them to be educated and to grow. Here, at the centre, the children complete grade R but then have to go to other schools. We believe that if we can encourage them to read and learn, we will change the future of the community and see our children go to university,” said Ngwamba as he works along his wife, Jeanette who is the founder of the centre.

The container library was donated by Karenza Ring of the Mpumalanga Show who said reading is the most important thing for a child.

“We believe that one must always give back and by teaching a child how to read, it will open many doors for them. Reading instils a sense of curiosity which is very valuable for a child’s future,” said Ring.

The orphanage is home to more than 169 children between the ages of 2 and 19 years of age.  

Tshepiso Phosa, owner of Milviforce Puma N4 Nelspruit said it is wonderful to see how the community has joined hands to support the initiative.

“My father, Dr Mathews Phosa taught me that education is key. He came from a disadvantaged home but his father installed in him the importance of having an education, and it’s my wish to take that value and pass it on to other children. It is important for us as individuals to make the difference we want to see. Education is the definition of real wealth. No one can take it away from you” says Phosa.

Pieter Burger, CEO of Mpumalanga Rugby thanked all the sponsors who generously donated towards the container library. These include Buco, PG Bison, Remington Steel, Container World, Van Wettens, Total Signs and Orbic Architects.

“Education is so important to our youth, and we truly hope that this initiative is a small step towards changing the lives of the children the centre serves so selflessly,” said Burger.

If you would like to donate any children’s or educational books, you can do so by dropping them off at the Milviforce Puma N4 Nelspruit garage.

Submitted by: Kathleen Bailie / Mpumalanga Rugby (Pty) Ltd