FROM A HUT TO THE HIGH COURT

 By Lois Kuhle – founder and trustee of the Milimani Educational Trust

KwaDla-Kuse, northern KwaZulu-Natal

"Getting involved in your community is one of the best ways to enjoy and enhance your life. Why sit at home when there's a whole world out there to immerse yourself in? Through volunteering and getting involved I've expanded the quality of my life in ways I never once thought possible" - Darian Dixon Snr.

Nombulelo Masango, known as Bule, 

always stood out for me as a special child.

We established The Milimani Educational Trust in 2001 and built the first community creche in KwaDla-Kuse, a deeply rural area in northern KwaZulu-Natal. Over 20 years ago Bule was among the first children who enrolled, and I immediately developed a bond with her.

We used to visit the creche with Milimani Lodge guests by crossing the Mkuze River, and Bule would always be there her little hand eagerly clasping mine. 

We frequently invited the village children to the lodge, and they would sing and dance with uninhibited enthusiasm to the delight of our guests.

We left the lodge when it was taken over by a land claim in 2005, but we continued with the Milimani Educational Trust, which has gone from strength to strength supporting three creches in the Sovane area. The Milimani Game Sanctuary & Lodge is now part of Somkhanda Community Game Reserve.

 

Bule as a young lady, visiting the creche

Bule was born in September 2000. She has five sisters and a brother. They were raised in this remote community, so small it is barely a dot on the map. KwaDla-Kuse is in an oxbow, hugged by the Mkuze River which either flows – or it doesn’t. 

It’s not an easy place to live with minimal infrastructure and limited access to water. They have only recently received electricity. The roads are poor and schools are a long distance away, especially for young people.

Rural children are expected to help with daily chores – collecting water, looking after livestock and helping around the kraal. It is not all fun and games.

 

Despite these rural hardships, education played a major role in the Masango family. Bule finished school at Kwa-Ziphethe Svananda Secondary School at KwaNongoma. The Milimani Educational Trust funded a course in Advanced Computer Literacy at Avuxeni Computer Academy KZN after she matriculated. Bule is now doing her Law Diploma through UNISA (University of South Africa) and I couldn’t be more proud. She is receiving funds through the National Financial Student Aid Scheme (NSFAS).

“I am hoping to have the power to make difference. I want to improve the legal system for people who cannot afford a lawyer. Some people wait for days for a government-appointed legal advisor and spend time in jail, even though they may be innocent.” Bule tells me. “I believe in justice. I want to help people, groups, organisations and companies to solve challenging problems and manage their legal issues.”

 

Bule is learning the necessary skills to become a powerful lawyer. Communicating, listening,writing, negotiation and time management. And that law education is about real cases that have been argued and judged in court.

Bule is committed to giving back to her community: “I want my friends in my community to realise that education is the key to success. You need to work hard and be passionate about what you do and what you want for your future. I will encourage students to continue their studies and I am willing to help them apply for university.”

 

Bule visits her family in KwaDla-Kuse during the school holidays and one day hopes to set up an internet café to help her community to have easier access to education.

We have watched Bule grow into an inspiring young lady and we know that she will make a difference in many lives.