INSTITUTIONALIZED CHILD CARE IN URBAN SOUTH AFRICA

in financial habits. Collectivism extends itself into the area of managing a family’s
resources.
It is in these sorts of circumstances that an older mentor figure would be
particularly helpful. For years, this was the objective of Raymond Amm and the
mentorship program through Bryanston Bible Church. The program in its earlier form
also emphasized matching children with mentors based on their areas of professional
interest. One thing that this program lacked, however, was providing the children with
first-hand knowledge of someone from a similar cultural background who had attained
their own independence, away from street life, such as Bongi. One individual who filled
this role in several ways throughout the years was Maanda Mufansa.
Maanda was a twenty-something professional working for a steel industry
company, with a small physical appearance that made him look even younger. While he
used to serve in a more formal role as a mentor at 5Cees, he no longer holds any technical
position. Instead he maintains his relationship with some of the older boys on a strictly
voluntary basis. Often, he will check in with them to see how they are doing in school
and in life. He will also sporadically text Bible verses or messages of encouragement
throughout the week.
Maanda grew up, not at 5Cees, but in a similar setting. This common bond, plus
frequent contact, allowed him to communicate with the teenage boys in a more
uninhibited way than any other staff member or volunteer are able to. Maanda also
models how one could transition into adulthood and into a stable career successfully. One
of his most recent accomplishments was traveling to Sweden for the first time on a
business trip. Despite his lack of a formal role, he exemplified an ideal individual to help
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