A young man with big dreams

He lightens up as he starts talking about work. He is a hero not only to the children but to the community at large and in Fort Beaufort. His resilience and hard work has brought change to these children’s lives and a smile to their faces.  

It has just been over a year since we had our Feature on Sgqibo Mqalo and the great things he does we have been most fortunate getting an interview with him again as he is always on the go, if it’s not heading to meetings , his doing radio interviews, tending to the children at the centre, the list goes on . He manages both Sivenathi Special Care Centre in Magaleni Location and Abundant Life Orphanage in Ntoleni.

This young ambitious man has stopped at nothing to achieve only the best and hard at work to give the 38 children at Sivenathi and the 13 children at Abundant Life Orphanage the best possible care.

He describes 2016 as his best year yet as he achieved all the goals he set. ‘I am truly grateful for the exposure I got and the help from my guardian angels, it has proven to be a good year for both the Centre and the Home. 

The Centre has grown over the year and is now at 21 staff members and added an Educational class to their Sensorial and Stimulation classes with 2 fully qualified teachers. The Centre has recently employed a nurse and is linked with Gateway Clinic to help with Occupational Therapy, Physio Therapy and Speech Therapy.

The kitchen is currently being moved to more spacious area and the nurse will soon have her own room for medication and consultations. 

‘We sadly had to say good bye to our social worker last year but I believe we will find someone just as compassionate to help us at the centre. Sgqibo is planning quite a few fundraisers for the centre and the first one will be in form of a Fun Run in the month of March.

 His hopes for 2017 are for Sivenathi to start generating its own income by starting projects like chicken farming and host more fundraisers.

The Home was established in 2013 for orphanaged children who lost their parents to HIV & AIDS in the Fort Beaufort area. The Home shelters 13 kids aged 9- 17 years. These young boys and girls are all in good schools in the area and are all achieving good grades in school. 

‘My dream for them is to be the best of themselves in any career they choose and I will be right behind them cheering them on.

There are a few facilities Sgqibo would like to add for the Home like:

• A Library

• Computers 

• Arts and Crafts Room

• Educational Equipment, Stationary and School Uniform

• Branding the Home

My Mom and my sister have instilled a love so enormous for these children that I have devoted my entire life to helping them. ‘I wouldn’t be anywhere else.’

‘I would like to thank the following People and Sponsors:

• Social Development

• My Staff 

• Total Garage 

• Von Der Decken Funerals

• The Zondo Family

• The Churches 

• Correctional Service

The future looks brighter than ever for this young Project Manager.

We at OurNews wishes him all best for the year ahead.