Bongiwe Mhlongo
Nominee's Province:
Kwazulu-natal
Project Name/Description:
Director, Sizamakonke Creche and Preschool, and Zamasizwe Resource Centre
Mhlongo is one of the strong believers that the foundation phase of every child is pivotal in their development, and fully attending to that, sets them on a better path in the future.
Her strong foundational beliefs in early childhood development have seen her raising her hand and helping her community as she catered to those in need. This has not only been limited to children.
Her fundraising skills have largely been driven by her desire to see a better Verulam community – a work in progress that’s not going to be achieved overnight.
Mhlongo has been described by her community as hard-working, earning her the moniker of “mother of the nation”. Further to the ECD centre, Mhlongo also runs the Zamasizwe Crisis Centre, providing warm meals to vulnerable children, developing skills for youth and women, and supporting people living with disabilities. Further, Mhlongo is active in civil society, such as the Sukuma Sakhe initiative.
Mhlongo holds several certificate qualifications, in fields such as first aid, occupational health and safety, facilitation and early childhood education teaching. She has also developed her business management skills by completing NQF 5 in governance, business finance, monitoring and evaluation, risk management, human resources, and programme management.
