Dineo Mdingane has always believed in the power of community and the importance of lending a helping hand to those in need. As the managing director of Bafenyi Trust, a non-profit organisation dedicated to uplifting people in difficult circumstances through ministry and practical support, she has turned her passion into action.
One of the trust's most impactful initiatives is a soup kitchen in Promosa in Potchefstroom.
It started in 2020, during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Dineo and her team at Bafenyi Trust recognised the growing need for food security within their community.
"We started by sending food parcels to community members in need," she recalls. "The government had issued essential services permits, and we were fortunate to be granted one."
The soup kitchen is still going strong today. It feeds 11 groups of people, five focused on children and six on adults. Altogether, meals are served to 1 300 people every week.
That is just a small part of the work Dineo and her team do.
Branching out into life skills and education
"The programme has evolved beyond just giving people food," she explains. "We offer life skills training in areas like parenting and financial management, helping people become more self-sufficient and encouraging them to view their lives differently."
For the children, Bafenyi Trust runs an after-school programme that offers support in subjects such as mathematics, English, and Afrikaans, while helping them develop a positive attitude toward their studies.
Dineo's passion for community engagement stems from her own academic and personal experiences. She began her studies at the NWU’s Mahikeng Campus, initially enrolling in social work due to her strong desire to help disadvantaged people.
However, after a year in social development studies, she realised it wasn't the right fit for her. This realisation led her to psychology, driven by her interest in the mental and emotional healing needed in rural communities.
Her studies in psychology and sociology provided her with the tools to make a meaningful impact, particularly in breaking the stigma surrounding therapy. She graduated with a BA in psychology and sociology in 2017.
Collaboration and connections
The Bafenyi Trust's work is done in collaboration with others, including volunteers. As part of their 67 minutes of service for Mandela Day, a team from the NWU Corporate Relations and Marketing division visited the Bafenyi Trust. They donated groceries on behalf of the Alumni Relations office and assisted in preparing food for the groups, further strengthening the connection between the university and the community it serves.
Dineo highlights that the importance of collaboration, working closely with others who share the same heart and mission. "We're committed to helping people win, to providing a helping hand wherever we can because the need is there, and because we have the capacity and resources to help."
Their work is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when a community comes together with a shared purpose and a compassionate heart.
Deep roots in faith and community
Janneman van Wyk and Elsa Coetzee founded Bafenyi Trust in 2010. Initially, it focused on supporting preschool practitioners by helping them register with the relevant departments, providing training and supplying teaching materials. Over time, their mission expanded as they sought to address the broader needs of the communities they served.
At the centre of everything Bafenyi Trust does is a deep commitment to faith. "We are a faith-based organisation, and while we're focused on meeting practical needs, sharing the gospel is at the heart of our mission," Dineo shares. The trust is driven by a desire to help people not only survive but thrive. We equip them with the tools and mindset needed to excel and view their lives in a positive light.”
Progress Mpangane, Eagi, Dineo and Abigail Oliphant unpack the donation from the NWU’s Alumni Relations office.
Team members from Corporate Relations and Marketing and the Bafenyi Trust.
