Today’s M.A.D. post features Baxolise Dlali and his Masifunde Together crew. Masifunde Together is an organization he started in 2006 that provides free tutoring services, as well as a learning space and environment to grade 8-12 students, particularly in math and accounting. Masifunde Together eliminates the cost barriers to tutoring by providing these services for free enabling disadvantaged students excel in their matric exams. This has seen an increase in the pass rate of students among other achievements.
Masifunde Together is forging a culture of unity in the education sector. They also offer additional programs such as Basic Computer Literacy classes, Afternoon Tutoring and Study programme for high school learners as well as Driver’s License Awareness and Coaching. Masifunde Together is open to in-school youth, out of school youth as well as individuals who need this help but cannot afford it.
On what a typical day in his life looks like, Baxolise broke it down as such: coming into the office, checking diary and emails, preparing a motivation for students, co-ordinating tutors, meeting with the tutors, checking opportunities for networking and collaboration, teaching classes, some even off campus and occasionally going to meetings. Busy guy!
He also opened up on his dream for Africa - one where people are willing to help each other and not harm one another. “An Africa founded on the realization that a functioning macro society (Africa) needs an even better functioning micro society (individuals and families), because the former is only a dream devoid of the latter. United, functioning families and communities and ultimately individual African States subsequently resulting in a united, functioning Africa. I yearn for the day when each individual will know and understand their purpose in society and stick to it being cognizant that Africa is like a body and needs every minute part to function coherently. Just like the hand needs the brain to function constructively, we all need each other. I would like to see a united Africa, able to provide for its own people and bring its own solutions to its challenges, because we can”
We asked Baxolise to give a few words of advice to young social entrepreneurs and he says the first thing to do is to start. “Don’t do everything, instead look for collaborative partnerships. Don’t start a project, share your life. Whatever you do, always keep in mind that it is not about how quickly you get there, but how properly you get there. Everything in life is about building good foundations and the longevity and impact of your work is relative to the foundations you have established it upon. Though the road may be long and tough, patiently endure!”
Finally, we just had to ask Baxolise a really cliché question which you probably guessed: where do you see your NGO in 5 years? His response: “I don’t have a particular limit for it, but I do want this duplicable model to at least reach the whole of South Africa. I want it to grow as big as the need and continue for as long as it is relevant.”
Thanks for your time, Baxolise!
Masifunde Together is forging a culture of unity in the education sector. They also offer additional programs such as Basic Computer Literacy classes, Afternoon Tutoring and Study programme for high school learners as well as Driver’s License Awareness and Coaching. Masifunde Together is open to in-school youth, out of school youth as well as individuals who need this help but cannot afford it.
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Baxolise shared a few obstacles he faced starting his NGO at the age of 19, “people telling me that I could become something else in life, but why this? Also, people pouring water on my dream, which I personally understand fully to be due to their lack of understanding or could not see what I wanted to achieve.”
Despite the obstacles he faced, Masifunde Together still receives incredible community support. Baxolise talked about some of the highlights of his work with the organization: "Most of the organization’s moral and financial support comes from the community. We have also recruited other youth to work with us. Becoming an ambassador of the Parliament of South Africa because of the work we’re doing in the community through Masifunde Together and attending my first international conference.” With all the success also comes challenges such as a lack of adequate resources, and not having the means to sustain himself but having to persist and follow his dream.
Despite the obstacles he faced, Masifunde Together still receives incredible community support. Baxolise talked about some of the highlights of his work with the organization: "Most of the organization’s moral and financial support comes from the community. We have also recruited other youth to work with us. Becoming an ambassador of the Parliament of South Africa because of the work we’re doing in the community through Masifunde Together and attending my first international conference.” With all the success also comes challenges such as a lack of adequate resources, and not having the means to sustain himself but having to persist and follow his dream.
On what a typical day in his life looks like, Baxolise broke it down as such: coming into the office, checking diary and emails, preparing a motivation for students, co-ordinating tutors, meeting with the tutors, checking opportunities for networking and collaboration, teaching classes, some even off campus and occasionally going to meetings. Busy guy!
He also opened up on his dream for Africa - one where people are willing to help each other and not harm one another. “An Africa founded on the realization that a functioning macro society (Africa) needs an even better functioning micro society (individuals and families), because the former is only a dream devoid of the latter. United, functioning families and communities and ultimately individual African States subsequently resulting in a united, functioning Africa. I yearn for the day when each individual will know and understand their purpose in society and stick to it being cognizant that Africa is like a body and needs every minute part to function coherently. Just like the hand needs the brain to function constructively, we all need each other. I would like to see a united Africa, able to provide for its own people and bring its own solutions to its challenges, because we can”
We asked Baxolise to give a few words of advice to young social entrepreneurs and he says the first thing to do is to start. “Don’t do everything, instead look for collaborative partnerships. Don’t start a project, share your life. Whatever you do, always keep in mind that it is not about how quickly you get there, but how properly you get there. Everything in life is about building good foundations and the longevity and impact of your work is relative to the foundations you have established it upon. Though the road may be long and tough, patiently endure!”
Finally, we just had to ask Baxolise a really cliché question which you probably guessed: where do you see your NGO in 5 years? His response: “I don’t have a particular limit for it, but I do want this duplicable model to at least reach the whole of South Africa. I want it to grow as big as the need and continue for as long as it is relevant.”
Thanks for your time, Baxolise!
