Minister Marais mourns the loss of an ambitious shining star: Athanathi Mashiyi

It is with great sadness that we have learned that one of the young women murdered in Khayelitsha over the past weekend was a recent graduate of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport’s YearBeyond programme.

Athanathi Mashiyi was part of the Scouting in Schools arm of the YearBeyond programme in 2021. She worked at Ntwasahlobo Primary and Luleka Primary and had then progressed to being appointed as a Teacher’s Assistant.

At 25 years old, Athanathi was working hard to establish a career path for herself. She enjoyed working with children and had taken the opportunity presented by the YearBeyond programme to take the first steps to equipping herself for future career opportunities.

Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport 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.”

We express our heartfelt condolences to Athanathi’s 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.

Source: Government of South Africa