The Winnie Mabaso Foundation (WMF) celebrated its 20th anniversary on 25 May 2024, commemorating two decades of empowering orphans, vulnerable children and their community in Ennerdale, Meriting and Finetown, south of Johannesburg. The festive day was marked by joyous dancing and heartfelt testimonies from children and elderly who benefited from the Foundation's life-changing programs.
Winnie Mabaso Foundation is a non-profit organisation founded by British Filmmaker, Lisa Ashton, in honour and support of Mama Winnie Mabaso, who was dedicated to empowering orphans and vulnerable children in the community of Finetown.
“Mam’ Winnie's love, charity and legacy have been the driving force behind the Winnie Mabaso Foundation's growth and success,” said Charity Pitso, a long-time serving member of staff. “Her memories continue to inspire us to do more and reach further in our mission to transform the lives of the children and the community.”
She shared that the organisation has not only benefited the community but has allowed and enabled the young people who are part of the staff to grow, pursue their life purposes and explore their talents. “Looking at where I am today compared to the young lady who started working here years ago, I am proud of myself,” she said. Having begun her career with the organisation as a kitchen assistant, Charity is currently Supervisor of the Winnie Mabaso Foundation’s Preschool. She qualified as a teacher in 2021 with the foundation's help and has continued learning for an advanced qualification.
The preschool is one of the programmes and services provided by the organisation free of charge to residents of the Meriting community, an informal settlement in Finetown. Known as the Mabaso Tiny Tots, the school currently has 30 children registered between the ages of two to five years of age, who also joined the performance and showcased their talent in reciting poems. “I am grateful to the preschool because I can't afford to take my child to crèche on our monthly grant income. My little one has learnt many skills since joining the programme, she now gives thanks before supper, recites poems and recognises colours,” said Mamokgele Louw, one of the parents who attended the event.
As part of their daily activities, the Winnie Mabaso Grannies Club and Mama Nabantwana graced the attendees with a choir performance to celebrate the day. The Grannies Club is a programme aimed at encouraging pensioners to lead a healthy lifestyle, ensure they stay engaged in day-to-day activities and provide support for any challenges they could be facing in their individual lives. While Mama Nabantwana is a support group for young mothers and their children.
The young and youth programmes, Ilamula Home for Girls and S’bonelo Boys programme showcased some of South Africa’s trending dance moves to entertain attendees.
Ilamula is a children's youth care centre for abused, abandoned, neglected and orphaned girls aged between two and 18. It is fully registered with the Department of Social Development in Gauteng. It receives no funding from the South African Government and relies totally on the kindness of donations.
The recently launched S’bonelo initiative is an empowerment and mentoring programme for boys, creating a positive impact on their futures too. The programme particularly focuses on fighting gender-based violence within the community by empowering the “men of the future” from a young age.
The Sew Amazing, sewing programme then concluded the programme for the day by showcasing their fashion pieces in a fashion show. The programme is currently led by a Fashion Designer, Varity Oliphant, who trains unemployed ladies in the community and shares sewing skills for them to start their enterprises.
The 20th-anniversary celebration was attended by representatives from the Foundation's board members, and partners, including Shoprite ACT, Edelman Africa, and the University of Johannesburg. "Seeing the children dance with joy and hearing their stories of transformation is a testament to the incredible work of the Winnie Mabaso Foundation," said Lemohang Modise, who works for the Foundation. "Winnie would be so proud of how far the Foundation has come and the lives it continues to change."
As the Winnie Mabaso Foundation looks ahead to the next 20 years, it remains committed to its mission of providing a safe, loving, and nurturing environment for orphans and vulnerable children. Through its various programs, including education, healthcare, and skills development, the Foundation continues to empower children and their communities to break the cycle of poverty and create a brighter future.