MISSIONVALE Care Centre (MCC) recently welcomed two interns from Nelson Mandela University (NMU) to participate in an internship programme.
This internship gives Missionvale resident, Nonzukiso Mpofu, the opportunity to complete her National Diploma in Public Relations Management. She started her schooling at the Normoyle Primary School, situated at the very same centre, in 2003.
She is the first-born of five children and was raised by her late father, who worked as a gardener and her mother, who works as a domestic worker.
Growing up in a crime- and drug- infested community, such as Missionvale and being a first-born child, encouraged her to rise above the circumstances of her surroundings and to better herself through education and to be an example not only to her siblings, but also to the youth and other children in Missionvale, explained Mpofu.
“I enjoy working at the centre and I understand the dynamics of the people whom the centre serves,” she said.
Olwethu Manzi comes from Mthatha and is currently completing a Master’s Degree in Media and Communications at the NMU.
Having directed a short film for the Lavuth’Ibhayi Film Festival in 2019, Manzi will be utilising her filming-making and communication skills to create visual content at the centre.
She is the second-born of four siblings and was raised by her parents in a small township in Mthatha. Like most townships, the environment was unhealthy and plagued by drug abusers, criminals and even prostitution rings. Witnessing that lifestyle gave her the drive and motivation to study hard so that she could escape from these social ills.
After matriculating, she embarked on her journey to become a film producer/director. She did her Bachelor BA (Media Communication and Culture), BA Hons (Media Studies) when she directed a film that premiered at the YANAYA Film Festival in 2020.
“I followed the stream of film-making because I love to tell stories.
“I want to narrate African stories in African contexts by Africans. The drive to continue studying also came from having a desire to lecture others and my passion for film–making,” said Manzi.
Linda van Oudheusden, the Missionvale Care Centre marketing manager, said that the centre is committed to bettering lives through education.
“We believe in giving youth the opportunities to develop and grow and to become meaningful citizens. This internship initiative will not only provide our two interns with the necessary skills and experience, but will also prepare them for the workplace and make them responsible and efficient employees in future,” said Van Oudheusden.
Other internship opportunities are regularly filled in the urban agricultural project and in the wellness centre.
In a mission to keep unemployed youth occupied and off the streets, MCC runs a number of programmes at the centre, which include skills development for unemployed youth, music and art.
– ISSUED BY GISHMA JOHNSON ON BEHALF OF MISSIONVALE
CARE CENTRE
