Mdantsane day care founder works to give children a brighter future

Nomfundiso Mdyogolo, 54, from Mdantsane NU14, enriches the minds of toddlers and young children to ensure a brighter future before they enter higher education.

Project manager Mdyogolo started the Kamvalethu day care centre NPO with five children and operated out of the lounge of her parent’s home in 2019. 

Nokuthula Maziko said she had nominated Mdyogolo for the Local Hero award to recognise her devotion to those in her care. 

“She cares about the children as if they were her own. She loves them a lot and gives them all the love and attention.

“When I go to fetch my child from the creche he always cries like he’s being taken away from his mother; that’s the kind of love she gives.” 

The creche had since grown to accommodate 20 young children ranging from a few months to four years.  

Mdyogolo said: “I started the day care because I saw there wasn’t one in my community. Parents had no-one who could look after their children while they were working.” 

Mdyogolo worked as a healthcare worker at the Ikhwesi Lomso Child and Youth care centre in Qonce and received her level four qualification in home-based care and early childhood development through the NPO Fundisani Thuto in Johannesburg 2019.  

According to the department of education, early childhood development was to “protect the rights of children to develop their full cognitive, emotional, social and physical potential”.

Mdyogolo said: “I worked for a children’s home in 2018 and bonded with all the kids. I’m a kind person and don’t like to see kids sad and crying.” 

Kamvalethu fees remain low at R250 a month for two to four-year-olds and R400 a month for babies.

“Parents work in retail shops or as domestic workers. Others stay at squatter camps and only receive a grant. I decided to only raise funds next year.”

Meals are a pap breakfast, lunch and a snack. 

“We had a sponsor of pap from Jam SA for their breakfast. I use the fees to pay for food and sometimes I also make lunch for the parents.”

The children are taught how to count, about parts of the body, how to wash their hands, say their names, about hygiene. They fill their days with constructive play to prepare them for grade R.  

The creche employs two teachers to take care of the babies and toddlers from Monday to Friday. 

“The biggest challenge we have is we don’t have a sleeping area for after-lunch naps.

“We have no sleeping mats or blankets. We also don’t have any jungle gyms outside.” 

Mdyogolo was overjoyed with the nomination. 

“I’m so happy, I’m smiling, I’m so very happy! I read the Dispatch and heard from another lady in NU1 who donates old clothes about the nominations.”

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