Kelebogile Mtuze, the owner of Mbalenhle Day Care Centre in Botshabelo, is urgently seeking assistance to rebuild her crèche, which was destroyed by fire. The blaze occurred under suspicious circumstances, allegedly set by jealous crèche owners who were threatened by her centre’s success.
The Day Care Centre had a thriving enrollment of about 158 children and utilized innovative teaching methods, including kiddies laptops and educational gadgets designed to help children learn more effectively. It was known for being kid-friendly and spacious enough for children to play and learn comfortably.
Mtuze explained that on a morning in March 2024, they woke up to find their centre engulfed in flames. Prior to the fire, officials from the Department of Education had assessed the facility and given it a compliance rating of 95%, declaring it to be in excellent condition.
Mtuze shared that her Day Care Centre operated in a unique, paperless way, leveraging technology to enhance learning experiences. The success of her teaching methods led her to temporarily stop accepting new children while she explored options to expand the centre. “I don’t know how the other crèche owners found out that I had so many kids, but that seems to be when they decided to burn my crèche to the ground,” said Mtuze.
In the lead-up to the fire, she reported that items such as kiddies laptops, stationery, speakers, and chairs were stolen. Mtuze suspects that the individuals responsible for the arson may be her neighbors, as she is familiar with them. Jealousy appears to be a possible motive for the arson, given the impressive growth and enrollment at her centre.
Remarkably, Mtuze received a visit from an official responsible for crèches in the H-sections of Botshabelo, allegedly sent by the national office. However, the initial assessment conducted by this official has reportedly been misplaced, leading to the need for a second evaluation. Mtuze mentioned that Department of Education officials have visited the site twelve times to assess the damage.
On April 15, 2024, she received a call from municipal workers asking for directions to deliver wooden structures ordered by the Department of Education, but they never arrived. Despite her attempts to follow up with them, she has received no response since.
“They no longer answer calls, including the woman in charge of crèches in the H-Section. She is often unavailable when I visit her office. It has now been a full year since my crèche burned down, and I am asking for help,” stated Mtuze.
Mtuze is reaching out for sponsors and any assistance to help rebuild her crèche, which, while still operational, is in a dire state. She hopes to restore it to its former glory.
“I truly need help. My only ‘crime’ was using a different teaching method that attracted children. I am appealing to any good Samaritan to support me,” she added.
If you would like to assist Mtuze, you can reach her at 078 906 1296.
