YOUNG MINDS: Interview with Baxolise Dlali of Masifunde Together

24 year old, Baxolise Dlali started a community based, non-profit organization which advances education and skills development. Masifunde Together is an organization which underlines his educational, skills development focus. The organization offer skills like Basic Computer Literacy, afternoon Tutoring and Study programme for high school learners.

Please tell us more about yourself?
I was born as the second of three brothers. I grew up in the rural areas, in Cofimvaba, where my home is still at. With that being the case, we always had cousins and young people whom my parents took in to live with us at home due to my parents’ kind hearts which meant that I always had in excess of 7 brothers and sisters.

 

My parents were business people and gave back to the community, however they could, but also through starting youth choirs and soccer clubs. They funded them entirely and encouraged general youth activism in our rural area and so a culture of social responsibility and entrepreneurship was cultivated in me then already.

 

Even though I was afforded the opportunity to attend boarding schools from grade 4, but every school holiday I spent at home keeping me in touch with the realities of rural life. Even though my parents have lost everything ever since after business went bad, they had already invested so much in us, which can never be taken away from us.

 

I love sport and played competitively in rugby, cricket and table tennis where I even captained some of those sporting codes at various levels. I currently live in East London where I am a born again Christian serving and loving the Lord with all of my heart.

 

My biggest strength is my high levels of patience and flexibility (even though they can be a disadvantage at times).

I am also an ambassador for the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa through their ‘Bokamoso Barona’ (Our Future) campaign which allows young people to define their own solutions to the challenges they’re faced with.

 

Are you still studying and what are you studying?
Yes, I am trying to complete my B.com Management Accounting Degree through Unisa

 

When was your project Masifunde together started?
2006

 

What is it about?
It is a community based, non-profit organisation which advances education and skills development. Masifunde Together literally means ‘let us learn together’ which underlines our educational/ skills development focus. Started with just myself, an idea and a desire to serve my community in March 2006 we have since grown to now offer the following skills empowering programmes:
– Basic Computer Literacy
– Afternoon Tutoring and Study programme for high school learners
– A driver’s Licence Awareness and Coaching
Our programme now benefits in-school youth, out of school youth and un-affording individuals. (Note: not previously disadvantaged individuals only as we aim not to discriminate against any persons on whatever grounds)

What skills or knowledge did you have on starting the project?
I had just completed my matric so that was just about it and I also knew that I wanted to serve my community. I also knew that I had to start.

 

Why did you decide to start Masifunde?
I wanted to eliminate the cost barriers to tutoring, which could be as high as R70/hour, by offering myself and tutoring services for free. I aimed to reach, particularly, disadvantaged individuals who would not otherwise have access to these services and thus disadvantaging them as far as their chances of even passing matric, let alone with flying colours. I wanted to address the issue of a low matric pass rate.

 

How is the community benefiting from the project?
– Learners now have a place to study and more especially get that extra academic support
– Members of the community who have no prior knowledge of computers, now get training for a minimal fee ( of only R300 which covers course materials, where we ultimately hope to offer it for free through corporate partnerships)
– There are no impediments of previous education required; our only requirement is just ‘a desire to learn’.
– Community members now have someone to support them through the entire process of obtaining a driver’s licence.
– Community members have access to information

 

It has been said that every person has a purpose in life, do you believe this is your purpose and how did you know that was your purpose?
– I believe that this is part of my purpose, just that I have not aggressively pursued the other part of me which is entrepreneurship. I want to, ideally, fund my own projects and transform other people’s lives as well.

 

– I believe that I was guided by GOD, and through reflecting on where I come from. I believe that if you do not know what your purpose is in life, just look at where and how you grew up because that is free training (on monetary terms, but you toil sometimes) ground for the rest of your life.

What helps you keep your dreams in track?
– Knowing what my dreams are to begin with.
– I always keep my motives in check.
– I evaluate my life.

 

What would you say is holding back young people to achieve their dreams or find their purposes?
An unwillingness to get our hands dirty and building ‘them’ (our dreams) because they do need to be built fortunately.

 

Since starting this project what has been your greatest achievement?
Influencing and recruiting others to serve with me.

 

Let’s talk about EAYS 2012. You were one of the few South Africans selected to attend the Summit. How was the experience?
I am short of words!! It was a life changing experience, mostly because of the amazing leaders I met who are going to be leading their respective countries in not so long a period to come. I liked the multi-pronged approach of debate, inspiring, equipping and connecting. It just again highlighted for me the need to fund our own projects, as social entrepreneurs, which means that we need to occupy the business space. It was good to experience a first world, reliable and functioning transport system, even though very expensive *hahaha.

 

Amongst the highlights, was meeting the South African Ambassador to Belgium, Hon. Mxolisi Nkosi over a light lunch and conversation, which was organised in our honour to welcome us to Belgium. Unbeknown to us, this would ultimately set the course for the rest of our engagements in Belgium. It was different, insightful and connecting.

 

What challenges have you had to overcome?
– There were times I wanted to quit, because it got tough.
– Not having enough resources.
– People not believing in my dream, which is inevitable.

 

How different is your project from other youth projects?
– It is an original idea; it was not copied from any other.
– The community is involved in development.
– We continuously innovate.
– In all our programmes, we recruit and train other young people who will then help us in our daily running and thus obtain experience as well.
– It has lasted 6 years without much funding and still going.
– Our hearts are invested in it.
– We value excellence.
– Our classes begin with a motivation/ inspiration

 

What’s a day in your life like?
– 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
– Getting to meetings occasionally

 

What is your dream for this project, how big do you want to see it grow?
I don’t have a particular limit for it, but I do want this duplicable model to reach -at least- the whole of South Africa. I want it to grow as big as the need and as long as it is relevant.

 

What advice would you give to someone who want to start a similar non- profit organisation in their own area?
– START.
– Don’t want to do everything, instead look for partnerships.

While helping the students involved at Masifunde Together, what would you say are the challenges facing them?
The biggest is probably having an uncertain future and lacking early carrier guidance.

 

How do they overcome those challenges?
Exposing them to relevant help with schools realising the critical importance of career guidance to a learner’s life.

 

What’s the best advice you have ever received?
– Whenever you make any decision at whatever level, ask yourself the following questions, is it right? Is it fair? Is it just? (to the people that will be affected, and to yourself)
– It is impossible to please everybody, don’t even try.

 

What would you say are the biggest challenges faced by the African Youth?
– Not knowing who they are.
– Not knowing their value.
– All the other challenges stem from them trying to find their true identity in all the wrong places and devaluing themselves in the process.

 

What’s your advice to young people?
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!

 

What would you like to change about Africa?
Not so much about what I would like to change, but rather what I would like to see and this is it: Having people who are willing to help each other and not harm one another. An Africa founded on the realisation 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 cognisant 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.