Cape Town - The Department of Cultural Affairs and Sports is mourning the death of one of their YearBeyond programme trainees Athanathi Mashiyi, who was one of the people killed in Khayelitsha last weekend.
Mashiyi had just progressed to be a teacher’s assistant at the time of her death, following her completion of the department’s Scouting in Schools arm initiative in 2021.
Cultural Affairs and Sport MEC Anroux Marais said: “It is a great tragedy that we have lost such a lovely and talented young person to senseless acts of violence. Athanathi was a role model in her community, who had taken up the opportunity and put in the hard work to rise above her circumstances and forge a career path for herself.”
Mashiyi, 25, enjoyed working with children and had taken the opportunity presented by the YearBeyond programme to take the first steps to equip herself for a career in the education sector, according to the department.
“Athanathi was working hard to establish a career path for herself. Our heartfelt condolences go to her family, friends and colleagues. Her life was sadly cut short prematurely, but we know she has left a legacy and has been an inspiration to others in her community. We are grateful for her contribution to the lives of the children she worked with,” Marais said.