Masithandane

16/10/2026

🪁🎉 THE GARDEN ROUTE KITE FESTIVAL IS ALMOST HERE! 🎉🪁

📅 Sunday, 18 October. A day of colour, fun and family memories!

Imagine the skies above filled with beautiful, colourful kites, the laughter of children, delicious food and a whole lot of fun! 🌈

The Garden Route Kite Festival promises a fantastic family fun day, with something for everyone to enjoy.

🪁 Kite-flying demonstrations
🪁 Kite flying throughout the day for all ages
🍔 Delicious food stalls
🎨 Craft stalls and face painting
🤸 Bungee bounce and trampolines
🐴 Ponies on show
🏰 A jumping castle
🎉 And so much more!

Bring the children, invite your friends, gather the family and come enjoy a wonderful day out in the Garden Route.

Whether you're young or simply young at heart, there's every reason to join the fun!

So, what are you waiting for? 😉

🪁 Come fly a kite, fill the skies with colour and make some beautiful memories with us!

📣 See you there! Don't miss out on one of the Garden Route's most colourful family events! 💙

08/10/2026

🪁 A Sky Full of Colour. A Community Full of Heart. ❤️

There is something wonderfully special about the Garden Route Kite Festival. Yes, it is about spectacular kites filling the Sedgefield sky with colour, movement and imagination. But after ten years, it has become about something much bigger... the community.

On Sunday, 18 October, the Garden Route Kite Festival celebrates its 10th edition, while Masithandane celebrates 20 years of serving our local community. Two milestones worth celebrating together.

This year's festival promises to be bigger and more colourful than ever, with international kite flyers from England, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and the USA joining some of South Africa's finest flyers. Giant inflatables, handmade kites and wonderfully quirky creations will transform the Sedgefield sky into a moving gallery.

But look beyond the sky and there is just as much happening on the ground.

Families can enjoy live music, food, craft stalls, children's activities, competitions, dog displays, raffles and plenty of opportunities simply to relax and enjoy a day together.

And behind it all is something that perhaps deserves even more recognition. The people who make it happen.

This festival doesn't simply appear. It takes an enormous amount of planning, preparation and hard work. So many volunteers from Masithandane, together with people from the wider Sedgefield community, have given their time, energy and skills to help organise and prepare for this special day.

They do it because they believe in the community.

The festival was born from a desire to create an event that would benefit a local public benefit organisation. Ten festivals later, Masithandane is not simply a beneficiary. Instead it is central to making the festival happen.

For 20 years, Masithandane has quietly been serving people in our communities, often helping those who have nowhere else to turn. Their work is not always visible, but its impact is felt every day.

That is why I believe this year's festival deserves the support of all of us in Sedgefield, and beyond.

Come along. Bring your family. Invite your friends. Buy something from one of the local stalls. Enjoy the food. Enter a raffle. Let the children have some fun. Watch the incredible kite displays. And, most importantly, know that by supporting the festival, you are also supporting Masithandane and the people they serve.

And perhaps, when you're there, spare a thought for the many volunteers who have worked behind the scenes to make it possible. Give them a smile, a thank you and perhaps a little encouragement. ❤️

Sedgefield has always had a strong community spirit. This is another opportunity to show it.

Let's make the 10th Garden Route Kite Festival something really special. Not only because of what we see in the sky, but because of what we can accomplish together on the ground.

📍 Scarab, N2 Sedgefield
📅 Sunday, 18 October
⏰ 9:30am – 3:30pm

Come for the kites. Come for the fun. Come for the community.

And let's show Masithandane that, after 20 years of caring for our community, Sedgefield cares too. ❤️🪁

05/10/2026

As Jean and I continue our Camino beyond Santiago towards Muxía and Finisterre, I find myself reflecting on why this walk has become so much more than simply a personal adventure.

I feel genuinely blessed to be a volunteer and to serve on the Board of Masithandane.

It is an organisation that has become very close to my heart.

Masithandane was established to serve people who are often overlooked or who simply don't have the means to access the help they need. Its work reaches deep into our local communities, particularly Smutsville and Sizamile, but also further afield to places such as Karatara, Elandskraal, Barrington and Farleigh.

And it isn't just one particular need that Masithandane addresses.

It is an integrated network of social development, healthcare, care and economic empowerment, responding to people where they are and with whatever need they may have.

Through its healthcare services, Masithandane works closely with health authorities to provide essential care to people who cannot afford private medical services. Home-based caregivers are trained and supported to provide primary health checks, including blood pressure, blood glucose and weight monitoring, together with counselling and basic health education.

The organisation also assists with the management of HIV and tuberculosis, including the distribution of antiretroviral medication and the daily monitoring of TB treatment through DOTS.

Then there is the House Under Grace. (Hug)

This special facility provides 24-hour compassionate care and respite for frail and elderly people, as well as those recovering from major medical procedures. It is a place where people can receive something that is just as important as medical care, dignity, compassion and human kindness.

Masithandane also provides mobile meals and food parcels to households struggling to put food on the table.

There is a dedicated community club providing social interaction and psychosocial support for pensioners and the elderly. There are services involving children and families, and many other initiatives that respond to the changing needs of the communities Masithandane serves.

In short, Masithandane doesn't simply provide a service. It walks alongside people.

Perhaps that's why it feels so appropriate that Jean and I are supporting this organisation through our own walk. "WALKING WITH A PURPOSE"

When we started our Camino in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, we knew we wanted this journey to have a purpose beyond ourselves.

So we decided to use our approximately 1,000-kilometre journey to raise funds for Masithandane. We have now walked more than 900 kilometres, reached Santiago, and have decided to continue on to Muxía and Finisterre.

And, thanks to the generosity of so many people, our Back a Buddy campaign has now raised slightly more than R17,000. We are incredibly grateful.

But we'd love to finish our walk having reached R25,000. That's our target.

So, as we continue putting one foot in front of the other, I would like to make one more heartfelt appeal.

If you've been following our Camino, sharing in our stories, enjoying the photographs, laughing at our little adventures or perhaps wondering what all these kilometres are really about, you can now become part of the journey too.

Every contribution, no matter how small, can make a difference. R50. R100. R500. Whatever you are able to give.

It isn't about the size of the donation. It's about what happens when many people each do a little.

We are walking through Spain. But our hearts remain very much connected to home, and to the people Masithandane serves every day.

If you'd like to help us reach our R25,000 target, you can support the campaign here:

https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/donations-for-masithandane

Thank you to everyone who has already contributed.

Thank you to those who have shared our posts.

And thank you to those who have simply walked these kilometres with us from a distance. We are humbled by your support.

One step. One kilometre. One person at a time.

And hopefully, by the time we reach Finisterre, we'll have turned a long walk into something that helps make someone else's journey a little easier.

🙏❤️ Buen Camino

05/10/2026

Dear friends,

Here’s a little update on our fundraising journey.

First, a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has already contributed. I see the fund growing almost daily, and we have now passed the R15,000 mark! Jean and I are deeply humbled by every contribution, large or small.

From the very beginning, we said we would be transparent. When you follow the fundraising link, you can see exactly how the fund is growing. We want you to know that every contribution is going towards a cause that is close to our hearts.

But why Masithandane?

Masithandane has been serving our community for many years. Their books are open for anyone who wants to see how they operate, and their work is right here among the people of our community.

I have personally seen how many of our own church members in Smutsville benefit from the support they provide. No one is turned away.

Perhaps what touches me most is that much of this work happens quietly. There is no need for applause or publicity. Volunteers give their time and energy simply because they care. They serve because they believe that someone who is struggling deserves a helping hand.

It reminds me about the watch word we received not too long ago, "Do Good!" You will remember that encouraging word.

That is why Jean and I chose to walk with a purpose.

Every kilometre we've walked on this Camino has reminded us that we are blessed to have the opportunity to do something for others. And every contribution, no matter how small, helps turn these thousands of footsteps into something meaningful.

If you haven't contributed yet, perhaps you could consider doing so today. You can support our Camino for Masithandane here:

https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/donations-for-masithandane

You don't need to give a lot. R50, R100 or whatever you can afford can become part of something much bigger when many people give together. Let's see how far we can take this.

Thank you for walking this journey with us. ❤️

05/10/2026

Good day, everyone.

Over these past few days, Jean and I have tried to take you along with us on our journey through Spain. In many ways, it still feels like a dream, the scenery, the villages, the people we meet, the long roads and, of course, the occasional sore feet! 😄

But this Camino was always meant to be more than a walk or an adventure.

Before I share the rest of this story, we want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has already contributed to our Camino for Masithandane. Every contribution, regardless of its size, means a great deal to us. More importantly, it reminds us that we are not walking this journey alone. We are deeply grateful for your generosity and for the encouragement that has accompanied us along the way. ❤️

Today, I'd like to share a little of my own story, because it may help explain why we wanted this journey to have a deeper purpose.

I am one of 11 brothers and one sister. I won't go into all the details, but, as with many at the time, life was tough when we were growing up.

My mother cared for our home, while my father was self-employed. This meant that sometimes there was work and sometimes there wasn't. We were loved, but we also knew hardship from a very young age.

We knew poverty. We knew pride. And we learnt how to make do with very little.

I was a beneficiary of a school feeding scheme. I attended a government school and remember receiving free school books. I remember what it was like to go to school hungry, waiting for that first break when there would be a jam sandwich and some milk. In winter, it might be a little soup and bread.

It wasn't much, but it got us through the day.

I also remember the sarcasm, the insults and the embarrassment that can come with being the poor child. Those things stay with you.

But there was something else that stayed with me even more.

Whenever I compared our circumstances with those of other children, my parents would encourage me with words that I can still hear today: "Don't worry, my child. The Lord will provide."

I believed them. And looking back over my life, I can honestly say that He has provided. Often in ways I could never have imagined.

Today, when I look around our communities, I see children facing some of the same struggles I knew as a child. And the difficult thing is that this isn't history. It is happening today.

There are children who go to school hungry. Children whose circumstances are not of their own making. Children who need someone to believe in them, to encourage them and to give them an opportunity to experience something different.

That is why this Camino means so much to us. Jean and I are walking these hundreds of kilometres, but we would like our footsteps to become something more than kilometres recorded on a watch.

We would like them to help make a difference in the lives of children through Masithandane.

So today, we are asking you to walk with us, not necessarily with your feet, but in spirit and through your support.

Please consider making a donation, however small. You don't have to make a big contribution to make a difference. Every donation, added to those of others, can help provide opportunities and hope where they are needed most.

❤️ You can support our Camino for Masithandane here:

https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/donations-for-masithandane

We will continue sharing our pilgrimage with you every day. The beauty, the challenges, the people, the laughter, the quiet moments and perhaps also the occasional sore foot! 😄

And importantly, we will remain transparent about the campaign and keep you updated on the funds raised and our progress. Thus far, R2000 has been raised for which we are grateful. You can make a difference.

For the sake of our children, were asking you to support us. Help us turn our footsteps into something that can make a difference. ❤️

Images, compliments of Google

14/09/2026

Does anyone have a single trelly door to sell or donate to Masithandane,?

08/09/2026

07/09/2026

🪁 THE SKIES ABOVE SEDGEFIELD ARE ABOUT TO COME ALIVE! 🪁

Something special is taking shape behind the scenes in Sedgefield.

The Garden Route Kite Festival is returning to Scarab Village on Sunday, 18 October, and while the colourful kites will be the most visible part of the day, there is a whole lot happening behind the scenes to make this annual community event a success.

From working out the field layout and parking arrangements, to planning kite anchors, shade for the kiters, sandbags and stall positions, the organising team is busy making sure everything is ready. Even the seemingly small details like finding large bags for the sand anchors that can be reused year after year are being carefully considered.

And then there is the entertainment!

Professional kiters from South Africa and abroad will be bringing spectacular kites to our skies. There will be live music, dog shows, pony interaction, face painting, children's activities, food stalls and plenty of opportunities for families to fly their own kites.

But perhaps the most important thing about the Garden Route Kite Festival is what it means for our community.

The festival is proudly sponsored by RE/MAX Coastal in aid of Masithandane, helping raise funds for the important work Masithandane does in our community.

There is also a wonderful local flavour emerging. The organisers are looking at opportunities to showcase local talent, including young people from Sedgefield who have been supported by Masithandane and are now finding their own way in the world.

And when the last kite comes down and the crowds have gone home, the work doesn't immediately stop. The organisers are even planning a community braai afterwards, giving everyone who has worked so hard to make the festival happen a chance to sit down, relax and enjoy the fruits of their labour together.

This is our festival.

It brings visitors into Sedgefield, gives local businesses and vendors an opportunity to benefit, provides a wonderful family day out, and most importantly, helps support a local organisation doing meaningful work in our community.

So, Sedgefield, let's get behind it. ❤️

Tell your friends. Bring the family. Invite your neighbours. Support the food and craft stalls. Enjoy the entertainment. And, of course, look up! 🪁

📍 Scarab Village, Sedgefield
📅 Sunday, 18 October 2026
⏰ 09:30 – 15:30
❤️ In aid of Masithandane

Let's fill Scarab, fill the skies with colour, and show visitors what happens when the Sedgefield community gets behind something special.

Garden Route Kite Festival — more than just a day of kites. It's a celebration of our community.

🪁 See you under the kites!

04/09/2026

Its our annual Kite Festival on the 18th October 2026. We have lots of fun activities for the family, but I am looking for local people who can entertain the children for example a clown, animal balloon blowing, hooping, jumping castle hire, tractor rides, demonstrations of fire dancing, reptiles or anything exciting people will enjoy watching. Other than the awesome Kites! I have secured a great face painter. Please let me have your ideas and suggestions.

03/09/2026

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
FOR A CHILD AND YOUTH CARE WORKER

Masithandane a Community NGO based in Sedgefield is looking to recruit a Child and Youth Care Worker or trainees. Candidates require Matric or an NQF level 4 Qualification in working with children.

Scope of work:
• Working with vulnerable and less fortunate children and families in the Community, including home visits and a safe park program in the afternoons.
• Have a love of children and helping people.
• Good time management, organizational skills and accountability
• Language requirements – English and or Afrikaans or isiXhosa.
• Applicants should have strong family and other support systems to allow flexible work including weekends and public holidays when necessary.
• Available to start immediately.

Please send the following to [email protected] or drop off at Masithandane Wellness Centre, Milkwood Road, Sedgefield for attention Moray Swanepoel

• A covering / motivation letter
• CV including two-character references
• Copy of Matric or NQF level 4 or other qualifications

If contacted for an interview you will need to bring
o Certified copy of your ID
o Certified copy of your qualifications
o Declaration that you have no criminal convictions