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From a Safe Place to a Growing Harvest: Hope Takes Root in Limpopo

Zanele Mthembu
Sunday, 18 October 2026
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In Maphosa Village, Limpopo, one woman’s concern for children after school grew into something that now supports families in more ways than one: a safe place for children, help with their learning and meals to share — alongside a community farming project creating jobs.

Johanna Mailula founded the Maphosa Drop-in Centre in 2016 after seeing children spending afternoons without adult supervision. A report published by SAnews on 2 September 2026 says the centre now supports 68 vulnerable children.

Over time, the initiative has grown beyond its original purpose. Alongside care for children, it is helping address some of the pressures facing local families, including unemployment and food insecurity.

CARE THAT GROWS WITH THE COMMUNITY

The centre provides children with homework assistance, psychosocial support, educational enrichment, life-skills development and nutritious meals.

Those everyday forms of support can make a real difference. A place to go after school, someone ready to help with homework and a meal at the end of the day can give a child more space to feel safe, learn and look ahead.

FROM SUPPORT TO SUSTAINABLE WORK

Recognising how closely children’s wellbeing is connected to their families’ circumstances, the organisation expanded into agriculture.

The farming project now creates 17 permanent jobs, as well as seasonal and volunteer opportunities. Its vegetables attract customers from across Limpopo, and the Traditional Council has allocated five hectares of land to support future growth.

The centre’s progress shows how one community initiative can respond to needs that are linked: caring for children, improving access to food and creating ways for people to earn an income.

A PARTNERSHIP TO HELP THE HARVEST GROW

In 2026, support facilitated by the National Development Agency helped the centre partner with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The partnership provided R1.3 million for the Green Harvest Project. The funding strengthened the centre’s farming capacity through irrigation, boreholes, water storage, fencing and shade-net structures, alongside seedling production and crop cultivation.

Training and mentorship are also helping the organisation build its food production and market access. Mailula hopes to grow the project further and reach markets beyond South Africa.

A VISION THAT STARTED CLOSE TO HOME

The Maphosa Drop-in Centre began with a simple but powerful response to what was happening in the community: children needed a safe place and caring support after school.

Today, that commitment reaches further — helping children, creating work and laying foundations for more sustainable livelihoods.

Sometimes, lasting change begins when someone notices what their neighbours need — and decides to start.

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About Zanele Mthembu

Zanele Mthembu covers South African community news for Trustoria, focusing on municipal developments, social justice and local culture. Based in Durban and rooted in her Zulu heritage, she brings clarity and compassion to stories that affect everyday lives, combining a commitment to accountability with a passion for highlighting community achievements, resilience and positive change.

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