Masiphumelele’s high and junior schools have received a boost with the announcement last week that Australian businesswoman and philanthropist Dr Judith Neilson has become a patron of local organisation MasiSports.
Dr Neilson was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2016 for significant service to the arts through the museums and galleries sector. As a benefactor of cultural and educational organisations, she has pledged to fund the following:
• The building of a 70m x 40m multi-sports AstroTurf field, an AstroTurf volleyball court and three cricket nets at Masiphumelele High School.
• Art tuition at Ukhanyo Primary.
• A Judith Neilson annual girls’ sport and life-skills festival.
• A weekly volunteer litter squad from the schools to clean up the entrance to Masiphumelele.
• The employment of four coaches for the new facilities at Masiphumelele High School and their life-skills training.
• Operating support for other MasiSports work.
MasiSports founder Vince van der Bijl said he was thrilled that Dr Neilson had agreed to become involved.
“The reach of her charitable projects is global, and she strives to provide a powerful force for change in the lives of vulnerable people in Australia and around the world. Judith has a profound love of contemporary art, is an advocate for women’s rights and a champion of education and life skills,” he said.
Dr Neilson was born in Zimbabwe and grew up in South Africa before emigrating to Australia in the early 1980s.
In June, she visited Ukhanyo Primary in Masiphumelele, with a South African friend, Digby Jennings.
Dr Neilson said in a press release that she been captivated by the enthusiasm and energy of the children and coaches, as well as the school staff and principal, as they had participated in life-skill sessions, sports, chess and activities in the school’s English and Maths labs.
She also visited Masiphumelele High School, where, she said, the lack of facilities and children playing sports was evident.
“I was privileged to have a wonderful childhood, and I hope that my contribution allows other children to experience something similar,” Dr Neilson said in an email to the Echo from Australia.
Mr Van der Bijl said Dr Neilson’s generosity would revolutionise sports and life-skills at the high school.
“Vulnerable teenagers will learn how to navigate the perils of township life, which include gangs, violence, drugs, and sexual harassment, providing an antidote for the sense of hopelessness living in a poor community.
“The influence on Masiphumelele will be significant. We welcome Dr Neilson as a patron and have already gained much from her guidance and ideas,” he said.
MasiSports is a youth-upliftment organisation based in Masiphumelele that uses sport and life skills to help pupils reach their full potential.
