Dr Collen Mashawana to mark birthday with vulnerable children at Midrand home

The Collen Mashawana Foundation (CMF) will mark the birthday of its founder and chairman, Dr Collen Mashawana, by spending the day with vulnerable children at New Jerusalem Children’s Home in Midrand on Wednesday.

The foundation said the celebration on September 2 would reflect Mashawana’s commitment to marking important milestones through service and giving back to communities.

New Jerusalem Children’s Home, established in September 2000 by Advocate Anna Mojapelo and her late sister, Phina Mojapelo, is a 24-hour residential care centre for children in need.

The home currently accommodates about 120 children between the ages of 0 and 18, including orphans, abandoned children and those who have experienced abuse, trauma and other difficult circumstances. It also provides care for children living with HIV.

In a statement the foundation said that the sisters were inspired to establish the home after caring for Aurora, an abandoned child whom they raised with love and compassion.

The organisation provides holistic support focused on the physical, emotional, social, intellectual and spiritual development of the children.

Education is also central to the home’s work. It operates a registered school on its premises, offering Montessori-based foundation phase education, primary schooling and a growing high school programme.

The institution also supports young people beyond matric, with some beneficiaries going on to graduate from tertiary institutions or pursue studies internationally.

The home has further incorporated environmentally conscious infrastructure and practices, having initially operated from repurposed shipping containers.

The birthday celebration will hold additional significance as Mojapelo will also turn 65 on the same day.

Following the death of her sister and co-founder, Phina, in 2022, Mojapelo has continued their shared mission of providing vulnerable children with a safe home, education and opportunities for a better future.

Mashawana said spending his birthday with the children was a meaningful way to celebrate another year of life.

“There is no greater way to celebrate another year of life than by giving hope to someone else.”

He said his birthday was an opportunity to serve, give and remind children that their circumstances did not determine their future.

“It is also an honour to share this special day with Advocate Anna Mojapelo, whose life of service is an inspiration to us all,” Mashawana said.

The foundation said the visit forms part of its broader efforts to restore dignity, support vulnerable communities and create opportunities for children and families across South Africa.

For CMF, the foundation said, the occasion would be less about a birthday celebration and more about “giving, hope and shared humanity”.