Singakwenza means "We can do it!"
Since 2010, we have been helping young children in economically disadvantaged communities learn through play.
Our story
Singakwenza is a non-profit organisation focused on early childhood education. With an emphasis on long-term sustainability, we provide grassroots training for practitioners, parents and caregivers, so they can give their young children fun, educational activities every day.
These activities build the foundational skills for learning, through play. They are supported by educational resources made solely from recycling. Once the adults are trained, they can make all their own resources from household packaging that would usually end up in landfill, rivers and the ocean.
We help caregivers create safe, loving and sustainable learning spaces, so children can reach their full potential, know love, build resilience and grow themselves out of poverty.
Why the early years matter
Almost 80% of the foundation for all further learning is built in the first four years of life. Some of the most important windows for brain development, including number, language and emotional control, peak in the preschool years.
If these windows are missed, the same skills are much harder to learn later. And most of this growth happens while a child is playing and exploring.
What we believe
Sustainability
We build the practitioner's skills so her crèche can keep going long after we leave.
Good relationships
Trust between practitioner and mentor, and between adult and child, is where learning starts.
Respect
The crèche belongs to the practitioner. We are there to support, not take over.
A hand up, not a hand out
We don't hand out shop-bought toys. We teach people to make their own, so nothing has to wait for the next donation.
Reflecting our communities
Our trainers speak the language of the practitioners and children they work with.
Attitude determines altitude
A positive, can-do attitude is in our name.
How it started
Singakwenza was formed in 2010, when two friends, Julie Hay and Debbie McCarthy, brought their areas of expertise together to tackle two big issues facing many South Africans: early education and health.
Julie, a qualified teacher, spent 10 years running a Toptots Mother and Child franchise. She saw the difference early learning made to children with every advantage, and wanted to bring it to children who had far fewer. In June 2010 she sold her franchise to start a programme for children under four, using toys made from recycling.
Debbie's company, Training Leadership Consulting, had been running an HIV Peer Education Programme and a Primary Health Care Mobile Clinic. In 2015, with government clinics now reaching most of the district, the Board handed the clinic over to the Department of Health and focused fully on early childhood education.
Timeline will be developed with website development stage
Meet the team
Board of Directors
Kgashane Mohale
Chairperson
Kgashane is the chairperson of Singakwenza's Board, balanced business leader and INSEAD MBA graduate. An engineer by profession, he has years of experience working as an industry specialist. Kgashane contributes as a strategist, innovator, entrepreneur and business developer.
Julie Hay
Founder and Executive Director
Julie is the founder and Executive Director of Singakwenza. She is a trained teacher with decades of experience in Early Childhood Development. She created the Singakwenza model, which uses recyclable materials as play-based learning resources, to make high-quality early learning accessible to all children.
Reg Zammit
Board member
Reg is a Singakwenza board member and a local Pietermaritzburg businessman. After a corporate career in industrial relations and senior management, he built a successful export and packaging business. He also has over 20 years of experience in school governance.
Caroline Richter
Board member
Caroline is a Singakwenza board member, a farmer's daughter and a passionate South African.
Seelan Naidoo
Board member
Seelan is a Singakwenza board member and a Pietermaritzburg insurance broker with over 30 years of experience. He has been involved in many sporting, cultural and community outreach programmes, with a particular passion for youth development in underprivileged areas.
Our staff
Julie Hay
Founder & Executive Director
Sithembile Magwaza
Gauteng Branch Manager & ECD Trainer
Thoko Shelembe
Manager & ECD Trainer
Mbali Mnguni
Project Coordinator & Marketing
Joseph Mohlakoana
Bookkeeping trainer & Admin
Annika Savage
Occupational Therapist
Vumile Madlala
Learning Support & Resource Coordinator
Vuyisile Mkhize
ECD Trainer
Thandeka Dlamini
ECD Trainer
Buyisile Nqubuka
ECD Trainer
Thulisile Mazibuko
ECD Trainer
Sindiswa Sophazi
ECD Trainer
Palesa Mtshali
ECD Trainer & Admin
Lindiwe Mzimela
Workroom manager
Snenhlanhla Ngema
Workroom manager
Giselle van Wyk
Bookkeeper
A registered, accountable non-profit
Singakwenza is a registered Non-Profit Company (2011/001942/08), Public Benefit Organisation (PBO 9300 364 17) and Non-Profit Organisation (NPO 127-422).
We are a Level 1 B-BBEE contributor, offering Enterprise Development and Socio-Economic Development points, and we can issue Section 18A tax certificates for all donations.
Help us reach more children.
Every donation helps a child learn through play. Singakwenza is a registered NPC and PBO, so we can issue Section 18A tax certificates and B-BBEE points.