Alwande Mbeje & Ayanda Mngadi

January is birthday month for these inseparable friends; who are neighbours and have known each other since the cradle. Here they are 5 year olds and Ayanda (right) receives her very first birthday cake. This was to be the year that life changed for them...sponsorship to attend New England Pre Primary School (NEPP) for kindergarten/grade R from sponsors in Canada.

The angels were on their side since NEPP had a waiting list and I thought the squeaky wheel may get the oil; but they followed protocol and as was predestined, their names arrived at the top of the list at the eleventh hour; can you imagine the joy all around!

It was essential for them to be accepted to NEPP; the gateway to the excellent public school system which was ‘whites only’ during Apartheid...now exquisitely multiracial, a true representation of Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s Rainbow Nation....the hopeful future of this wonderful land.

January 2011 commenced with registration day as Ayanda came with her mom Zanele and Alwande with her granny Nelly. They met Mrs. Puttick their head mistress & Miss Hudson their kindergarten teacher and joined the croco class....they were to dress up for her birthday later in the year...and such joy shopping for the angel wings ensemble!

I enjoyed the pleasure of taking them to school on their first morning; the only little people from the Township which didn’t faze them in the least despite the fact that their English was practically nonexistent. They were gone from my side in a flash exploring, playing and settling at the tables to colour in; whilst so many of the privileged kiddies clung to their parents and seemingly felt the tug of separation anxiety. I heaved a sigh of relief and knew a significant hurdle was scaled.

The year at NEPP was superb; we attended all the parents’ evenings and Family Fun Day where the girls enjoyed an inaugural face painting!

They started swimming lessons, had Action Ball Mondays to learn English through play and Mrs Puttick very kindly had them stay in aftercare pro bono for extra play and exposure to English and social skills. They learned arts and crafts and by year end had a large pile of handy work which was most impressive.

They are bright little girls; curious, fearless and energetic....and most of all thrilled by this exquisite opportunity; they attended Township preschool so they know exactly how fortunate they are...night and day. Ayanda is particularly thoughtful and has such depth; she never misses a beat and I daren’t hint at anything as she will remember every detail. Alwande is a little live wire and together they complement each other wonderfully. I absolutely adore these treasures and it has been a sheer delight fetching them on Mondays; catching up on their week, hearing all their stories, admiring their crafts and school work, and taking them for lunch. Witnessing them grow and thrive is mesmerising.....

They love coming to visit mom who usually has spent a labour intensive morning in her glorious garden....like now! They ask me; ‘we going to see granny?’...and they charge down the driveway and fling themselves at mom....you see how she loves them...her two little ‘grandchildren’...make that ‘great’!

The NEPP year culminated in a school concert which had them ecstatic! Ayanda was a cat and Alwande a dog...and along with all the other ‘animals’ they went down to Grandpa’s Farm....and we have a DVD to tell the tale....so very delightful, they put their hearts and souls into their performances, singing and dancing and remembering every part. It was hysterical listening to Ayanda singing ‘what’s new pussy cat’ a la Tom Jones!

January 2012 and the start of ‘big school’...all dressed and ready for their first day at Ridge Primary School.

I fetched them for day one to see them settled with their teachers; this year they are in different classes but both have peers from NEPP along with them. There had been an orientation day at Ridge late last year and they had met their teachers and fellow class mates so they knew exactly where to go.

I have to back up and tell you about the adults’ trepidation when they went for their interviews at Ridge in October last year. Ridge had been hesitant because of their developing exposure to English and how this could interfere with comprehension. Miss Hudson was emphatic they deserved a chance since she was so impressed by their progress and spirits and I was certainly determined. Nelly, Zanele and I went along with them to the most gentle, sweet and respectful ‘interview’ I could ever have imagined. It was hard not to cry since one’s heart really can’t help but open at the wonder and process of life..... The girls ‘passed’ and were accepted on the spot; we were relieved and thrilled and they just beamed and laughed...they had no doubt...and proceeded to cartwheel down the lawn!

And so their deeply formative years are well launched as they enjoy an exquisite opportunity and grounding to each be stars in their own right one day; and we have no doubt of that!

Deep gratitude to generous sponsors who are seeing them through to grade 12; and on a personal note, being closely involved with Ayanda and Alwande has completely changed my life. I thank you!