Hope grows in Maphosa Village

For many children in Maphosa Village in Limpopo, the hours after school once meant spending time unsupervised on the streets while parents and guardians struggled to make ends meet.

Today, those same children have a safe place to go, nutritious meals to eat and adults who care about their future.

The change began with one woman’s determination to make a difference.

Johanna Mailula Maphosa founded the Maphosa Drop-in Centre in 2016 after noticing the growing number of vulnerable children in her community who lacked supervision and support after school.

“My greatest concern was seeing children playing in the streets after school with no one looking after them. I knew I had to do something to create a safe place where they could be cared for and supported,” she said.

As South Africa marks Social Development Month in October, Maphosa Drop-in Centre highlights the importance of community-based initiatives that support vulnerable children and families facing poverty, unemployment and food insecurity.

What started as a small community project has grown into a lifeline for 68 vulnerable children. The centre provides homework assistance, psychosocial support, life-skills training and daily nutritious meals.

Maphosa said many households in the area depend on social grants and struggle to provide for their families.

“I am not satisfied with the conditions in our community. Many women are unemployed. These challenges affect how children are raised and the opportunities available to them as they grow,” she explained.

In the early years, keeping the centre running was a challenge. With little funding available, Maphosa relied on donations from community members who shared what they could.

Despite these challenges, the organisation continued to grow and expanded into agriculture as a way of creating jobs and improving food security.

Today, the agricultural project provides 17 permanent jobs and produces vegetables that are sold across Limpopo.

NDA support helps dreams take root

A major boost came through support facilitated by the National Development Agency (NDA), which enabled a partnership with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2026. The partnership secured R1.3 million for the Green Harvest Project, helping to strengthen irrigation systems, improve infrastructure, provide training and increase food production for Maphosa Drop-in Centre.

The support has also created seasonal employment opportunities and helped build a more sustainable future for the community.

From protecting children after school to creating jobs and improving food security, Maphosa Drop-in Centre has become a beacon of hope in Maphosa Village. 

Lesego Ranchu is a Communications Officer for the NDA.

For more information about the NDA, visit: www.nda.org.za