Lillian Makoatle

“Determined to change culture and environments around her…”

Lillian Makoatle is in the work of growing children. And vegetables.

She is the principal and “Main Mom” at Siyathuthuka Creche and Preschool, where over 250 children are currently enrolled. And overseer of the bountiful veggie garden on the school premises.

Walking amongst these little people, in a wave of gleeful ‘hello’s’ and barrage of blown kisses, one is struck by the fact that they all have a safe place to be taught and cared for daily. It’s like a little oasis for parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and guardians to have peace of mind while at work themselves. 

And that is because of Lillian. 

Determined to change culture and environments around her, she carries authority, embodies calm, is a formidable presence for troublemakers, but a gentle presence for those in need of nurture and care. A serene face, with eyes that twinkle with a hint of mischief, she adopts a practical, no-nonsense approach, and is regarded with deep respect in the Bhambayi community and beyond.

‘Work hard.’ She hates laziness.

‘Listen with eye contact.’ An indication of her expectation of respect…

‘Malkop’ the label you might be given if you unfairly handle one of ‘her’ children. 

‘Don’t you have hands?’ Once more, in case you missed it, she hates laziness.

‘Why are you giving the children these rubbish chips! You are destroying the mind of the child!’

Consistent with her emphatic belief that children need to be developed not only academically, but emotionally, physically and socially too. It’s the right soil to grow them in. 

These are just some of the Lillian-isms that can be ‘heard’, even when she is not present. Such is the strength and integrity of her leadership. And even if a little harsh sounding, deeply and humorously appreciated by all. 

Because it’s Mam Lillian.

Knowing that names carry deep significance, and can have the power to bring about a destiny:

‘Why the name Siyathuthuka for the school?’

‘Siyathuthuka means We are moving forward together.’ Lillian shares how important this message was at the time of her starting this work. The Bhambayi community had often been at the epicenter of violence and unrest in the 90’s. She remains convinced that much of the community still bear the scars not only of the violence of that time, but also the handout culture that developed. So this vision of moving forward implies action, taking charge, not sitting passively. This name was to signal moving past, within a new democracy.

Lillian personally knows the importance, necessity and difficulty of needing to move on. Having been given in an arranged marriage, which was not good for her, she took the difficult, and very counter-cultural decision to choose a better and more healthy story for herself and her 2 children. Having been raised in a family with a granny who led as a matriarch, Lillian is wired to be strong. Yet she is not selfish, just wise. And determined. 

Have you ever noticed that adults who LOVE their work, often spent hours playing the very thing they end up doing as a career?

As a young girl, Lillian loved to play with younger children, rather than children her own age. She would take on a caring, maternal tone naturally. And, she later admits, she was Bossy! Which children her age probably chose to avoid. 

She was also hauled out of bed to farm early in the morning for many years of her life, which whilst difficult, she seems to have enjoyed.

And here she is today. Growing Children and Growing veggies. And LOVING it.

What did you LOVE doing as a child?

Is this evident in the work you now do?

#bhambayiproject

#humansofbhambayi

#vegetablegarden

#creche

#specialstars

#orphans

#vulnerablechildren

#Siyathuthuka