The English Hub at Ukhanyo Primary School is one of Masicorp’s many community upliftment programmes children living in Masiphumelele. If you have ever visited Ukhanyo Primary School, you may have experienced the energy and excitement of the English Hub – especially during break time when children flock to the Hub to take out library books.

Katherine (the English Hub’s programme leader), and her team help children at Ukhanyo Primary learn English through inventive teaching techniques that allow children to explore and play while they learn. Attending lessons and clubs at the Hub helps children at Ukhanyo not only learn English, but gives them opportunities to thrive in all their classes, and for some, perhaps even develop a love of reading.

At Ukhanyo Primary School, as children enter Grade 1, they learn all their foundation phase lessons in isiXhosa, but this changes as they reach Grade 4, when the language of learning and teaching is done in English. This was one of the reasons why our English Hub was originally formed – to support both children and teachers through these challenges.

“Mbasa is another example of a learner who has shone at the English Hub. He arrived at Ukhanyo in 2018 from the Eastern Cape unable to speak.”

Katherine Smith – (English Hub Programme Leader)

Mbasa was put into Grade 3 but his learning ability was hampered because he couldn’t speak English, leaving him bewildered during his first class visit to the English Hub. It was then and there that his class teacher asked the English Hub team if they would give him some extra assistance during break times. Determined, Mbasa came to visit the English Hub every day. His English vocabulary grew very quickly with the inventive learning solutions that the Hub makes use of via language games and books – rapidly helping children identify and implement key concepts in the language.

“The word puzzles helped me a lot, especially with my spelling.”

Mbasa – (English Hub Learner)

The English Hub provided the space, resources and attention, however, Mbasa brought along his own thirst for knowledge, motivation and sharp brain. His burning desire to learn and write his own success story made his progress possible.

Today, Mbasa is flying through the “Horrid Henrys”, and “How to train your dragon” series, which are a selection of more complicated English books. He also loves the “Beast Quest” series, keeping the English Hub team on their toes, as they constantly scour charity bookshops for more advanced books to add to their library.

Mbasa has joined all the English after-school clubs each year and is now a very keen participant in the Hub’s latest club: the Sea-Star Marine Club. He constantly surprises us with his love of reading and his enthusiasm for learning.

“I like the teachers in the English Hub. They are nice and kind and caring. I also like the traditions and making decorations at the end of the year.”

Mbasa – (English Hub Learner) 

Support Community Upliftment Programmes in Masi

Community upliftment programmes like the English Hub at Ukhanyo Primary School play a key role in developing skills within children that allow them to reach new heights as they progress through life. Masicorp has used education as a tool in the community of Masiphumelele to help people out of poverty and towards a brighter future. One needs to visit Masi to truly appreciate the people living here and the vital work we do to ensure that opportunity is equally available to all South Africans as opposed to an elitist few.

If you can identify with Mbasa and have a desire to see people educated and flourishing – support us in our mandate for quality education in Masiphumelele.