Masinyusane Development Organization

🌟 Meet Lukhanyiso from Bright Angles Daycare 🌟

Highly energetic, Lukhanyiso is undoubtedly the life of the party. Lukhanyiso lives up to her name, and is a real bundle of light. She has shown a significant improvement this year, after 36 sessions last year. She absolutely adores story time, and often takes over. It's her world, after all.

| Meet Montao Selicki

👑 "To be with Masi is to be loved." These are the words of reflection from Benito, our favourite Accountant and Karateka 😉

This Youth Month, we celebrate all things which young people overcome!


Benito had this to say:

"I am very grateful to Masinyusane, without them this journey would have not been possible.
A lot of doors have opened for me as a result of becoming a Masi student.
Obtaining this degree was challenging and required me to be resilient. Without Masi housemates my journey would have not been such a beautiful one.
One day as a qualified chartered accountant (SA), I will give back to Masi." 👑

Today is International Day of Play, and we’re celebrating the power of play in helping children learn, grow, and thrive.
This year’s theme, “Protect Play, Protect Childhood”, reminds us that play is not a luxury. It is a fundamental right and an essential part of every child’s development and wellbeing. Every child, regardless of their circumstances, deserves safe spaces, opportunities, and time to play.

At Masinyusane, we see the power of play every day through our literacy and numeracy programmes, ECD centres, and community playgroups across the Eastern Cape. Through structured and child-led play, children develop executive functioning skills such as working memory, self-regulation, problem-solving, planning, and cognitive flexibility. These skills form the foundation for learning, healthy relationships, and future success.

Play also supports the development of fine and gross motor skills, language and communication, creativity, social connection, and early STEAM learning. Whether children are building, storytelling, singing, dancing, solving puzzles, exploring nature, or playing games with their peers, they are developing skills that will serve them throughout their lives.
Protecting play means protecting childhood itself. It means creating communities, schools, and learning environments where children can be curious, imaginative, active, and joyful.

Today, we celebrate all the educators, caregivers, parents, mentors, and community members who make play possible and who recognise that some of life’s most important lessons are learned through play.

STEAMEducation Literacy Numeracy Masinyusane

🌟 Meet Othalive from Nobandla Educare Centre 🌟

Otha is such a loving learner. She is playful by nature, but when it is time to learn, she is able to focus well, which is a wonderful balance. Her growth since last year has been incredible and truly stands out.

She is confident and friendly, always greeting others with a smile, and her kind spirit makes her a pleasure to teach. Otha has a strong understanding of her letter sounds, can blend with confidence, and has already mastered her three letter sounds (izandi zoonobumba ezintathu). We are now working on four letter sounds, and she is ready to begin forming sentences soon.

🎓 | Meet Vuyina Wellem 🎓

"I was introduced to Masinyusane in high school (Ndzondelelo High) when they were assisting students with university applications. I was excited because I knew nothing about university applications, where to apply, how to apply and what to apply for. Fortunately, when you are a Masi Top Learner you don't have to worry about any of that. Then after Grade 12, one of the University Masi had applied at for me had accepted, that was a huge relief and also I was funded, thanks to Masinyusane. Obviously I was new to the Uni world, that's when Masi provided a mentor for us who would check up on us, how we were, mentally, physically and asked if there is anything I needed. I knew if I had any problems, Masi had and has my back.

Fast forward now I am a GRADUATE and a post-grad student in the Industrial & Org Phycology Department. Again, thanks to Masi. I really look forward to continuing my journey with you guys to becoming a Dr. Wellem from a Masi Uni Top Learner.

To all high school learners, aim to become a Masi Top Learner and they will hold your hand through university."

👑This Wednesday we are celebrating Liyema Plaatie, a Literacy Coach at Nobandla Edu Care Centre. 🌟

In her first job, Liyema has found great joy supporting children’s growth and learning.

Here’s what she shared:

"I’ve found so much joy in working with my children. I love seeing how they’ve grown & many who once struggled are now improving so much and that makes me happy & proud too.

Working with Nobandla Educare Centre has been such a joy. The children are full of energy, curiosity, and heart. As a literacy coach, I’ve loved creating a space where positive thinking thrives, we celebrate every small win .The team at Nobandla is supportive and caring, and together we’re helping kids build confidence and a love for learning. It’s a place that feels like family."

🌟 Meet Okwenam from Dorothy Tomlinson Pre-School Foundation 🌟

One of the things his literacy coach loves most about Okwenam is his strong memory and ability to hold onto what he learns, even after time away he quickly remembers with a gentle reminder. He confidently knows his letter sounds, is very friendly, and loves to play, bringing a joyful and warm energy to those around him.

| Meet Oyama Ndombela, one of our proud recent graduates, with a wicked grin and steely determination

Here’s what she shared:

"My journey begins at a very unknow/not so popular high school called Sakhisizwe in Zwide. I was the first student to be recognized by the Masi organization (My brag!!!). The journey has been vey helpful and it trully changed my life as I was just smart with no motivation.

Thank you Masinyusane for the assistance and mentorship. I am here today and still going forward because I found my purpose and philosophy of education.

I wish you guys can keep on assisting more smart learners without any means to reach their goals.
Oh! lastly, thank you for giving me a chance to meet Claire Powell and participate in the edu competiton (essay content) where I was able to reach top 9 and represent the Eastern Cape."

Mivuyo Yotsi - Nobandla Educare Centre

Mivuyo is a quiet, serious, and well-mannered boy who is respectful and always follows instructions. He understands his work and is learning steadily, already recognising his two-letter sounds, though he sometimes needs gentle reminders. In class, he is calm and focused, while outside he shows a playful and lively side. He also has a strong sense of right and wrong and is never afraid to speak up when he sees something unfair, always showing care for doing what is right.