With the many changes 2020 has brought, Kids Haven has decided to add another to the list as they transition into a new era of saying goodbye to Moira Simpson as the managing director, and welcoming Sam Mokgopha as the new one.
“I have been planning this for some time now and I am happy to hand over the reins to our new MD, who will join me in leading the team from September 1,” Simpson said.
Simpson, who is the founder of the children’s home which opened in 1992, and is based in Benoni, said she felt the need to take responsibility for the children who had nobody to take care of them.
“It has been a long but rewarding 28 years to create, nurture and develop this amazing place that is Kids Haven,” she said.
“From the earliest days, I believe the street children found me. Everywhere I went in my home town there were children with empty eyes, asking for help.
“I saw their pain and believed what my children needed was what all children deserved too.
“I started looking out for them. I asked them where their families were. I asked all relevant service providers what they were doing to help these children.
“And then I realised I had to take responsibility for them. Fortunately, I found many like-minded and passionate women and men to join me in creating this special place called Kids Haven”
Simpson said the early years were very hard, but she had help from many exceptional people like Terri Heatlie, Elizabeth Holmes and Adele Pillay.
“We were a determined group of women who believed in taking responsibility for all children, not just our own. The children were all around us and they needed care. We still feel honoured to do this work; it is a privilege.
“Our rewards are huge smiles and hugs, but I also feel frustration, despair and frequently anger for a system that does not protect children,” she said.
“I am worried for children who grow up without kindness. I am also passionate about animals that are utterly defenseless against humans”
Simpson said she believes that being kind is the only way to save people and animals. Mokgopha has already been working closely with Simpson since his appointment as assistant director 14 years ago.
She believes the time is right to shift the leadership into his hands.
“Sam joined Kids Haven in January 2001 as our first family reunification manager. His job was to develop the Kids Haven programme of family tracing and family reunification,” she explained.
“In 2006, he was appointed assistant director of Kids Haven and was initially responsible for residential care at the centre and village until 2013 when he developed the pre-care and aftercare programmes.
“Sam has extensive knowledge of all three of the Pillars of Care of Kids Haven and has developed programme implementation processes across pre-care, in-care and aftercare.
“During this time, he has established a team that is proficient in community work while adding his expertise and knowledge to the in-care childcare activities. Sam is also a great believer in partnerships and the power of the collective.
“I especially value that he has focused his career and studies on our core population of vulnerable children and youth at-risk in need of care and protection, and the role of families and the community, throughout his career at Kids Haven.
Mokgopha will take on the role of MD, but the same senior team of Terri Heatlie and Annie Maboea, and fund-raising by Sue Daly, will support him in maintaining the continuity of care but also in taking Kids Haven forward.
“Sam has already held leadership roles in the National and Regional Alliance for Street Children, and was the Gauteng coordinator of the only census of street children ever attempted in South Africa in September 2004,” Simpson said.
“Sam and I were part of the working group on the amendments to the Children’s Act coordinating all street children submissions into the Act around the same time.
“This included Sam making a presentation to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on the inclusion of street children into the Children’s Act (Act 38 of 2005).
“We were absolutely determined that street children should have the same rights as any other child in our country.”
The incoming managing director just completed his master’s degree in social work (cum laude) at the University of Johannesburg.
His research work is entitled Resilience Development of Former Street Children on the Streets, in Residential Care and Beyond Care.
Simpson said his knowledge and understanding of what works is broad and deep, while on the ground he is simply Uncle Sam to the children, the youth, colleagues and other professionals in the sector.
Uncle Sam is a dedicated protector of the rights of all children and young people.
Mokgopha said: “In the children’s sector, and Kids Haven in particular, there is always a race to run like my predecessor Moira Simpson did.
“What is really needed is for me to be well prepared and fit for this marathon. Leadership comes with huge responsibility and accountability. I hold myself accountable to the beneficiaries Kids Haven serves.
“They are my priority. I will strive to ensure Kids Haven remains strategically relevant even in changing times. I also want to ensure this organisation is well known all around for its unique service to children.”
A note from chairperson Stanley Botopela: “I am grateful to our succession committee, deputy chair Jane Macgregor, the succession team and all of Kids Haven’s board members who contributed to the search for Kids Haven’s incoming MD.
“We wish to thank founder and outgoing MD Moira Simpson for her vision, strength and leadership to create and grow the centre that is Kids Haven.”
Moira modestly said the secret to Kids Haven has simply been good parenting, loving the children, providing for their needs, treating each child as an individual and expecting children to make mistakes along the way but to learn from them.
Simpson concluded: “I am planning to travel to visit my family as soon as it is possible but will remain on the board of directors and get involved in volunteering. I am looking forward to 2021.”
She also thanked everyone who contributes to making Kids Haven a success over the years.
ALSO READ:
Daveyton charity organisation lends a helping hand to those in need during the Covid-19 pandemic
