Mikhulu Trust

Struisies Play School & Family Centre Struisies Play School & Family Centre is a community-based early childhood development (ECD) and family support initiative located in Struisbaai, South Africa. The organisation works to strengthen families and support young children during the most vital stages of development. Recognising that the first years of life shape a child’s lifelong health, learning, and wellbeing, Struisies focuses on supporting children, parents, and caregivers during the First 1000 Days of life and the early childhood years. Through holistic programmes, community partnerships, and family-centred support, the organisation [...]

From Shouting to Connecting: How Book-sharing Transformed These Moms In a sunlit room at Masiphumelele Library, near Fish Hoek, a group of women from the nonprofit Uphakanyiso recently gathered to reflect on how the Mikhulu Trust book-sharing programme has transformed not only their approach to parenting but also their entire home dynamics. What emerged was more than a discussion about children’s wordless picture books; it was a collective story of healing, growth, and bonding. From Anger to Affection For many of the mothers, book-sharing became the key to unlocking a gentler, more emotionally aware version of [...]

Fathers Connect NPO: Stronger Families through Book-Sharing In South Africa, fatherhood is a complex and evolving journey. Many men face significant barriers to being actively involved in their children's lives, whether due to societal expectations, economic challenges, or strained relationships. Fathers Connect, established by Themba Baleni, was born out of a deeply personal journey—one of loss, resilience, and a determination to rewrite the fatherhood narrative for future generations. Through its partnership with Mikhulu Trust, Fathers Connect has incorporated book-sharing as a powerful tool to strengthen father-child relationships, fostering connection, communication, and emotional engagement. The Birth of Fathers [...]

Meet illustrator, Moloko Mabotja, the personality behind Reap What You Sow, one of the latest additions to Mikhulu’s wordless picture book series. This beautifully illustrated book encourages counting, sparks curiosity about fruit and vegetables, and fosters meaningful discussions about emotions, making it a powerful tool for book-sharing with young children. A Childhood Shaped by Art and Challenge Growing up in Germiston, South Africa, Moloko’s path to becoming an illustrator was shaped by personal struggles, resilience, and a deep understanding of the power of visual storytelling. Starting his early years with his grandmother, Moloko was later raised by both [...]

Illustration has the power to transport us into different worlds, and for Princess Kabeya, a talented motion graphic designer and illustrator, it’s an opportunity to create meaningful connections. Princess was recently commissioned to illustrate one of Mikhulu Trust’s newest wordless picture books, A Walk in the Park. Spotted through her work with Book Dash, she brings a dynamic and adaptable artistic style that perfectly captures the expressive storytelling needed for a book without words. A Journey into Art and Illustration Princess’s love for art began at an early age. “I’ve been drawing since I was a child,” she [...]

State of South African Fathers Report 2024 The "SOSAF" report, officially titled "The State of South Africa's Fathers," is a data-driven exploration of fatherhood in South Africa, released annually by Sonke Gender Justice, Equimundo, and other partners, examining the evolving realities of fatherhood and the challenges faced by fathers. The State of South Africa’s Fathers 2024 report provides a comprehensive look at the evolving role of fatherhood in South Africa, challenging traditional narratives, such as the “absent father”, and advocating for a broader, more inclusive understanding of father involvement. Mikhulu's Contribution Mikhulu Trust is thrilled to announce [...]