This pioneer saw a need in this community which at that time did not have any facilities to cater for the physically and mentally challenge Ethel kaMasinga Mthiyane started back in 1979 with the formation of Ikhwezi Welfare Organization. One day she saw a disabled child eating from the rubbish bins in the streets of Sundumbili Township in Mandeni, North Coast of Durban under Ilembe District. She t
ook the child to her home and fed it. More and more disabled children who were vulnerable started to come in for help and over the next three years, Mrs. Mthiyane’s involvement with similar children grew, especially children who were mentally and physically challenged. She was so passionate about what she was doing that she would organize Christmas parties for children not only disabled, but abled children with poor background as well. For the next Twenty four years she would dedicate her whole life to the plight of the most vulnerable people of our communities all over the country. One has to understand that to her this was more of a calling than just a job. When she started she was just listening to her heart telling her to help that little crippled child and before she knew it all that she did was for the welfare organization, she became her work. She built a haven and in the process left a legacy. She passed in 2003 at a young age of 64 and is survived by her two children Mrs. Okonofua who is running the Home currently and a son Mr. Mthiyane, an actor and a businessman. Her work lives on.
