Better Futures

Masiphumelele Corporation offers financial support, mentoring and counsel to individuals who need bursaries to pursue specialized areas of study or to complete higher education or to help start a small business.

Recipients (examples):

Nontseko Mjubajuba – The elder sister of one of our scholars, Mzido, Nontseko and her older brother support two younger siblings while she is studying full-time to be an electrician. Orphaned at the age of 6, Nontseko and her siblings were moved from place to place, but now live on their own in a shack in Masiphumelele. Masi Corp paid for her fees at Westlake Technical College and helped her find a job as a licensed electrician. We are also helping her obtain title for her plot of land since it came to her from her elder sister who has since died of AIDS.She now has a salaried job as an electrician.

Nontseko with her siblings

Sonwabo Jacobs – Having completed his first year at the Baptist seminary with the help of some Americans, Sonwabo learned that his sponsors were not able to continue supporting him. Several community leaders came to Masi Corp to ask for help. Masi Corp matched every Rand the Masiphumelele Baptist Church tithed for this promising young preacher. Masi Corp also matched every Rand Sonwabo earned in part-time jobs so that he could pay for his rent, books and food and thus continue his tertiary education.He has now graduated from the Seminary and is on his two year probation prior to being ordained; he works with the youth of Masiphumelele.

Doreen Zanyiwe – After supporting her daycare center run out of a shack for a year, Masi Corp built a two-story building to house the expanded Ikhaya Labantwana Creche (daycare center), which now cares for over 80 children between the ages of 2 and 5. It is now a self sustaining business. Masi Corp makes periodic gifts to an endowment fund which we have set up - the yield from which allows Doreen to award scholarships to children who are too poor to pay her $8.50 a month fees.

Nondyebo Mashiyi – Trained by another Xhosa artist, Nondyebo started her own hand-painted table linen business. By replacing her shack with one of the houses built by Masi Corp, Nondyebo has been able to use the front room as a workshop and expand her business. With assistance from Masi Corp, Nondyebo has begun to sell her linens in the U.S. and Great Britain.

See the section of this website Nondyebo Art

Nondyebo paints fine linens for the table

Nomthandazo Silo: Discovered by an American Music Professor on tour with his choir, 18 year-old Nomthandazo possesses a dazzling and powerful pre-operatic voice. Masi Corp paid for her school fees, uniforms and extras at Simon Estes School of Music, where she could learn music theory, participate in the choir and play a musical instrument while studying in the 11th grade. Masi Corp also paid for private voice lessons for her. Unfortunately, she chose not to pursue this very promising career.

Nomtha Madlingozi – Having completed high school in nearby Retreat, 17 year-old Nomtha wanted to study Information Technology. Masi Corp challenged her to research local technical colleges for an appropriate course of study and submit a request letter. With Masi Corp paying for her school fees, Nomtha took a course at P.C. Training Business College working on the weekends to pay her transportation expenses. She now has a job that uses her new skills.

Nomtha is heading for a career in IT

Recipients of both education bursaries and micro-enterprise grants face numerous challenges as they strive to make their future better for themselves and their families. Although financial support is always needed, money alone does not ensure success. To help senior scholars achieve their goals, Masi Corp must also provided advice, support, mentoring, contacts, guidance and an occasional bag of groceries.